Iridium Sat Phone 9505a vs 9555

Submitted: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:09

ThreadID: 78402 Views:7562 Replies:4 FollowUps:4

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Handheld Satellite Phone Solutions for Travellers

The aim of this article is to provide a simple overview of the current satphone environment in Australia - assisting recreational, outback travellers make informed decisions when considering the

Pete Mac

I am wishing to purchase a satellite phone. I realise this topic is raised regularly but just checking if there is any up to date experience.

Iridium network is proven - a new 9555 is $1800. 9505a models secondhand are selling for $1200+ on ebay.

The 9505a models seem to hold there (or their?) value very well.
Are there any advantages of the 9505a over the 9555 model?

There is also talk of the new Inmarsat phone coming out mid-June ($900ish). Has anyone experience of this network?

CHeers,

Pete

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Reply By: Spana - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:29

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:29

Hi Pete, Can't give too much advise of yet because I'm not yet connected or used one.
But keep your eye on the papers, and ebay. I manged to get a new never used 9505a out of the local 'quokka' for $900

Troy

AnswerID: 416329

Reply By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:41

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:41

G`day Pete,
After making some enquiries I found that the 9505a was very popular and the price was more attractive than the 9555.
So I have just recently bought a near new ( used in excellent condition ) 9505a, complete with 2 batteries, mains charger, 12v in car charger, magnetic external antenna, instruction manual and carry bag from the UK for $745 AU total .

Just a bit over half of their price here.

It works ok, I put the sim card from my mobile (enabled for international roaming) in it and rang my home number from the back yard, the home phone rang....... there was no answer so I hung up. LOL

Regards,

Scrubby

AnswerID: 416333

Follow Up By: Pete Mac - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:48

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 21:48

Cheers Scrubby - I wasn't wondering if the international models would work with a post-paid SIM that was enabled for roaming.

P

FollowupID: 686454

Follow Up By: Mike DiD - Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 10:05

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 10:05

All Motorola 95xx Satphones are the same - they connect back to Iridium headquarters in the USA.

Provided that it authenticates your Telstra SIMcard, you will get a connection.

(The 9500 cannot send Text msgs but can receive them)

FollowupID: 686493

Follow Up By: Member - evren1 (WA) - Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 11:29

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 11:29

second that, purchased a 9505a from the UK through Ebay, scored it for $550AUD with all accessories. Inserted my Telstra sim on international roaming and it works fine.

Evan

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FollowupID: 686498

Follow Up By: Pete Mac - Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 11:32

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 11:32

Yeah - bugger, missed one overnight... approx $750AUD... $550 is a great deal...3

FollowupID: 686501

Reply By: Steve and Viv - Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:34

Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:34

The main difference between the tow is that the 9555 comes with the data pack built in, hence the more expensive price tag. The 9050a did not and if you wanted to send faxes etc you had to purchase the external data pack. The 9555 connects to the net work a bit quicker as well while the 9050a isn't to bad at all.

And personally and from my experience up here in the Kimberly we don't sell anything that is not connected to the Iridium network. We also found in the desert etc that others had issues with their networks while we could connect every time

AnswerID: 416522