Sat Phone - SIM Card

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:02

ThreadID: 96615 Views:2421 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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Member - David O (QLD)

I have read many postings that say you can use your mobile phone sim card in a sat phone providing you have international roaming enabled. My sat phone (Irridium 9555) is currently on a Telstra plan ($33 month) and I would like to cancel the plan and use the Telstra sim cards from our mobiles. I have had international roaming enabled and all restrictions removed (1900 barring etc). When I insert my Telstra mobile sim card into my sat phone and dial numbers as per postings (+ 61 drop first zero, dial 7 XXXXXX (area and phone number) I receive a recording stating the service is not available. Any suggestions? I have received paperwork from Telstra confirming international roaming has been enabled. I have tried it with both of our mobiles sim cards.

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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:20

Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:20

The mobile Telstra sim/accounts must be postpaid ie on a plan, I use both a next G and gsm sim's on our 9500 iridium.
Be aware that the call costs are VERY high if using the mobile sim, much higher than the sat costs and are charged for both incoming and outgoing.
I also wouldn't rely on the international roaming being enabled, it takes me several goes to get it enabled with the numbnuts at Telstra. It also "disappears" at regular intervals, go figure.

AnswerID: 489863

Follow Up By: Member - David O (QLD) - Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:43

Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:43

Thanks, Ozhumvee, both of our mobiles are post paid plans. It is rare that we use the sat phone and it's costing us $33 month. Haven't had to use it in the last 18 months other than to test that it is still working. Is there anyway to check that Telstra have enabled international roaming other than to call them. They have sent us text messages and corro warning of costs now that it is enabled so assume they have done so.

FollowupID: 764982

Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:49

Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 13:49

No I usually ring up and ask before we go away and about 50/50 it isn't activated.
Mind you the same thing happens with messagebank/extended ring being stopped all the time.

FollowupID: 764983

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 19:49

Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 19:49

International roaming isn't enabled. Trust me.

Get them to confirm it again. You can't test this unless you go overseas, not calling overseas. You have international calling enabled which doesn't help you.

Common problem.

Tony

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AnswerID: 489898

Reply By: George_M - Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 20:53

Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 20:53

Just to check a few things, David.

When you switch your 9555 on do you get a message on the screen indicating that you're been connected to the Iridium network? If you connect to the Iridium network ok it means that international roaming has been activated on your mobile account by Telstra, and that Iridium recognises your account.

Your post indicates that you get the recorded message after you've dialled the number you want. Is this correct? One way to test this is to insert your sim in the 9555 and switch it on; then call your mobile number (the sim in the 9555) and see if the 9555 rings. DON'T ANSWER IT IF IT RINGS - IT WILL COST YOU ABOUT $4.00.

On my 9505 I don't insert the country code for domestic numbers - I just dial the area code and telephone number.

This can be frustrating, as you typically have to deal with three parts of Telstra who are difficult to contact, don't like speaking with each other, and are quite happy to pass you off to the other two parties.

George_M

Come any closer and I'll rip your throat out!

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AnswerID: 489909

Follow Up By: Member - David O (QLD) - Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 06:34

Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 06:34

George, it is after dialing the number that I receive the recorded message "service not available" although when I tried again last night it would not even connect to the network for me to dial a number at all. Looks like I'll have to contact Telstra again.

FollowupID: 765066

Reply By: Member - David O (QLD) - Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 06:35

Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 06:35

Thanks everyone, looks like I'll be ringing Telstra again.

Regards
Dave

AnswerID: 489934

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 09:38

Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 09:38

Checklist

1)Any Telstra post paid plan ( inc the $10 non contract one)
2)International roaming turned on and confirmed in a follow up phone call ( for some reason they say it is on and it isn't)
3)1900 turned on.
4)Take it outside and turn it on with antenna extended. It should say regestering then iridium
5)call it ( wait about 30 seconds for it to connect.
6)Call from it.

double check 2) again if it still doesn't work.

Tony

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FollowupID: 765078

Follow Up By: Member - David O (QLD) - Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 11:59

Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 11:59

Rang Telstra, international roaming and 1900 is activated.
Placed mobile sim (postpaid) in sat phone
Turned on sat phone with antenna extended - registered

Rang sat phone from house phone - sat phone rings
Rang house phone from sat phone - recorded message - service not available
Rang a mobile from sat phone - recorded message - service not available

Rang Telstra again (Jean), roaming enabled & no call restrictions in place

Rang Telstra again (Eliza), roaming enabled & no call restrictions in place

So frustrating, don't know what else to try.

FollowupID: 765091

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 13:47

Monday, Jul 02, 2012 at 13:47

Ah David, I think you are nearly home.

I reread you OP and I think you are calling the wrong numbers.

try just like a from a normal mobile with the area code.

eg 03 9xxx xxxx
0408 123 456

etc

if that works call your home without the area code

eg 9345 6789

and as a double check, call like from OS. ie +61 2 9999 9999

Tony

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FollowupID: 765099