Telstra Upfront Mobile Plan and Iridium satellite phone

I think it may all be a bit random. Some legacy plans may not have been changed, at least yet, and can still access the Iridium service.

Not all "Upfront" plans are unable to connect to the Iridium service either. I know of least one other that signed up just before my plan was changed over and they are able to access the service still.

I'm pretty sure it has been well over 12 mths since I was told the $10 Casual Plan was no longer available. I was automatically placed onto what is now the Mobile Plan Extra Small. The costs go up all the time.
At the time it was changed over the sim still worked in the Sat phone so I just grinned and bore it. It no longer worked when I tried it last night. From comments that have been made on a previous occasion it appears that not all the $10 plans were changed, lucky you. International Roaming is still activated so that isn't the problem. I assume Telstra must have made some changes. I am interested to find out if it still works on your $10 plan.

Just checked mine, and it still works.

Mine stopped working. I could make calls but no longer receive them for some strange reason. Same for text. I have had a $10 plan for 10 years. No problem till this year.

Try both way comms when you test to see if it still works.

Tony, I just tried calling my 9555 from my mobile. RVA "there will be a short delay" (which is normal in my experience) then it rang about 15 secs later. Didn't bother answering.

Whether this current apparent reduction in access in association with their UpFront plans has anything to do with the Telstra Everywhere proposal I don't know.

Hello again

Just checked mine (Iridium 9555 with Telstra Sim on Mobile Accelerate Casual Plan $10) - phoned my "normal" mobile (Optus) and also sent text. Registered fine and worked as normal. Happy Days

Cheers
Greg

PS - Keep in mind that (at least some) sat phones can be used to dial 000 (Edit - or 112) without a SIM - so that maybe a suitable emergency option in some circumstances.

Cheers
Greg

Without an active sim card it seems you have to use the alternate emergency number 112. See extract from and link to the Telstra Customer Terms for the satellite service below.


Our Customer Terms
Telstra Mobile Satellite Service
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED (ABN 33 051 775 556) | The Telstra Mobile Satellite Service Terms were
last updated on 10 April 2019
PAGE 7 OF 24
2.11 To access emergency services from within Australia, you can call 000 if you have an
active sim card in your handset/device. If you do not have an active SIM card in your
handset/device you can access emergency services from within inside Australia by calling
112.

https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/mobile-phones/pdf/mobilesat.pdf

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I'm confused. Why would you carry a satphone WITHOUT an "active SIM card"?

Probably a few scenarios (e.g. found one in the cupboard but already have PLB or Spot etc so take it as a backup and couldn't be bothered getting a SIM that works). Either way if you did (and you knew it would work) it provides an option to contact emergency services, that's all - wouldn't get too "confused" about it.

Cheers
Greg

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That's pathetic Greg.

? That's Bizarre - you are making me laugh...anyway

No one said relying on a Sat phone with no SIM card was a great idea (assume this is your issue?) - it was just pointed out that it is possible to contact emergency services without a working sim - again - possible handy in some situations, another example - lost/broken/expired sim card?

Cheers
Greg

The main reason I carry a Sat phone as well as PLB is for emergencies, not for chit chat. If it works in an emergency on 112 that's good enough for me.

Allan, the only half-sane reason I could offer for anyone carrying a SIMless satphone is ...

"well, the SIM I use in it is the one from my cellphone, and that's where it currently is."

(NOT me - a dedicated SIM lives in my satphone.)

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Ah yes, of course Zippo. Why didn't I think of that?
But not me either. I would be sure to drop the SIM into the sand whilst transferring it and then have two very limited phones!

Geoff,

I seem to recall that Telstra require you to activate your SIM for overseas use on Post Paid plans now.
This was from a recent Upgrade? to Post Paid plans. The upgrade included a fee rise as well.

I did not bother to read too much of the bumf as I have a separate satellite plan, and figured I would read more of the plan on the off chance that I might go overseas and need to use the additional services.

If one completely read and understood all the T & C's coming in lately it would be a full time job.

Cheers
Jim