Sat phone question

Submitted: Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 12:06

ThreadID: 53168 Views:1583 Replies:2 FollowUps:4

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Footloose

Can anyone tell me if the Motorola 9505 can do SMS, or is it only the 9505A ? What are the essential differences between them?

TIA

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Reply By: Member - Jeffrey B (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 21:14

Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 21:14

yep, the 9505 can do SMS though it may need the firmware to be at a recent level to support it.

SMS on my 9505 which I purchased from Telstra in 2004 works fine using a proper Telstra Satphone SIM, I don't know what happens if you're only using a Telstra mobile SIM in the phone though.

Be aware that in the past if you had an Optus or Vodafone mobile, that you couldn't 'send SMS' to a Telstra/Iridium Sat phone - and this is most probably still the case - it was explained to me that there are no interconnect agreements with Telstra, so if you want to send SMS to a Telstra SIMed 9505 then you have to use a Telstra mobile or the Telstra website facility. You can receive SMS from a Telstra/Iridium Sat phone if you are with Optus or Vodafone though, just can't reply.

I don't believe the differences between the 9505 & 9505A are significant, the 9505A model has a smaller connector on the bottom of the phone for charging (small round socket like a mobile phone where as the 9505 has a large block connector) and it uses a slightly different battery - other than that features & capabilities are the same it seems.

ciao

Jeff

AnswerID: 280147

Follow Up By: Footloose - Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 21:19

Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 21:19

Hi Jeff, many thanks for that. It's exactly what I needed to know.
Cheers
Footy

FollowupID: 544357

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 23:09

Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 23:09

The 9500 can ONLY receive SMS.

The 9505 and 9505A can send and receive SMS.

The 9505A adds support for a security mode required by the Military.

If you have a Telstra Mobile phone SIM card (04xx xxx xxx) then it appears to any network as a Mobile phone (except for the delay). You just send an SMS to the mobile number.

That's why you have to pay for incoming calls - Telstra receives the call from any carrier and gets no call revenue, but has to pay Iridium for the satellite link.

AnswerID: 280192

Follow Up By: stocky - Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 07:22

Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 07:22

What u talking about willis?!?!?!

I dont pay for incoming callls on my Telstra Sat phone!

9505A was changed as components used in the manufacture of 9505 became unavailable and the phone had to be redesigned with new components - they may haved added the miltary bit at the same time - cant comment on that

FollowupID: 544426

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 07:56

Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 07:56

For Australian Users, there are two types of SIMcards you can put in a 9505 satphone and operate via the Iridium satellites.

Iridium SIM card - you get an International number, pay a monthly fee (around $30), pay for outgoing calls only. These are available from several companies - Telstra, TRT etc.

Telstra Mobile phone SIMCard with International roaming. Telstra has set up a billing arrangement with Iridium for calls to be billed to your Telstra bill.
You pay your normal monthly Mobile phone charge.
Outgoing calls cost around $3 a minute and you dial the normal Australian number.
People just dial your normal Mobile phone number and pay exactly the same amount - your carrier has no idea if your Mobile phone SIM card (04xx xxx xxx) is in a Mobile or a Satphone. Telstra pays for the satellite segment by charging about $3 per minute to YOUR phone bill.
Sending SMS costs about 40 cents.

FollowupID: 544430