Vizada Encourages Customers and Partners to “Test Your Satellite Phone” During Iridium Initiative

Program Designed to Ensure Phones Are Ready for Any Emergency

Vizada, the world’s leading satellite communications provider, encourages its partners and end-users to “Test Your Satellite Phone” as part of Iridium’s third annual initiative, which encourages emergency workers and first responders to prepare now to ensure that their satellite phones are ready to deploy. The Test Your Satellite Phone program is timed to coincide with the U.S. National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week May 24-30, 2009.

The Test Your Satellite Phone initiative asks all satellite phone owners to call a special number – 00-1-480-752-5105 – to test their satellite phones. Callers will hear a recorded message confirming that their call was completed and offering quick tips on proper handset usage. Iridium does not charge its customers for air time on their satellite phone when they call this number.

As part of its support for emergency workers and first responders globally, Vizada offers a unique batch activation service for both Iridium and BGAN services. Up to 20 SIM cards can be activated within minutes for these services via Vizada’s Web-based account management tool called The Source®.

Using the batch activation capability Vizada service provider, Globafone of New Hampshire, was able to quickly respond to FEMA’s urgent request in 2008 for a bulk order of more than 200 Iridium phones readily equipping relief workers dispatched to hurricanes in Texas. Vizada is the only Iridium reseller that has the ability to allow for batch activations, and this capability is used extensively by Vizada service partners who last year activated nearly 500 Iridium subscribers in less than 48 hours.

Vizada also activates all Iridium subscribers with the ability to use its SkyFile® Mail solution over Iridium’s RUDICS platform providing first responders easy access to email while deployed. SkyFile Mail over Iridium’s RUDICS platform enhances connection quality and reduces connection time by over 50%. SkyFile Mail is a free messaging and compression tool that allows users on land or sea to send reliable and cost-effective emails, e-faxes and SMS messages on Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya mobile satellite terminals.

In addition to first responders and public-safety organizations, satellite phone testing is an important safety precaution for government officials, businesses, educational institutions and medical facilities – anyone needing a reliable, critical means of communication when all other forms of communication are unavailable.

Test Your Satellite Phone information can be found at www.testyoursatellitephone.com. Tips and techniques available for satellite phone use and testing are included, such as:
Test your phone monthly.
Keep the battery charged. For optimal performance, completely discharge it before fully charging.
Ensure the SIM card is locked in place. Remove the battery to check that the tray is securely positioned and locked.
Protect the phone’s antenna by stowing the antenna in the “down position” when not in use.
Call outside with a clear view. Avoid obstructions to the sky and horizon such as buildings and trees.
If customers find that their phones are not operational through this process, they should call Vizada’s service hotline for troubleshooting the phone:

Tel: +1 301 838 7700 (worldwide)
Tel: 1 800 685 7898 (toll free number for North America)

customercare.us {at} vizada(.)com

About Iridium Satellite

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium’s subscriber growth has been driven by increasing demand for reliable, global communications. Iridium serves commercial and government markets through a worldwide network of hundreds of distributors. The company’s customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, which will result in continued and new Iridium MSS offerings. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., U.S.A. and is currently privately held.

Vizada

Vizada is a global satellite communications company which provides fixed and mobile services through multiple satellite network operators and service provider partners throughout the world. These include: Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Loral, New Skies, SES Americom, and Thuraya. Vizada’s customers operate in a range of industries, including: commercial business, military and civil aviation, merchant shipping, emergency response organizations, government and military units, global media companies, and telecoms and internet service providers.

Vizada’s 200,000 end users benefit from access to communications services wherever they are in the world, supported by more than 400 Service Provider partners. These services are delivered through Vizada’s Global Teleport Network – five state-of-the-art satellite facilities strategically positioned around the world – and packaged with tailored Vizada SolutionsTM, which add business value to basic connectivity services. www.vizada.com

Contacts

Vizada
Catherine Melquist, +1-301-838-7762 (Americas)
Marketing Director
catherine.melquist {at} vizada(.)com
Annie Hurley, +33 1 48 15 73 04 (EMEAA)
Corporate Press Officer
annie.hurley {at} vizada(.)com