Iridium is offering access to internet even in remote locations across the planet with the world's first portable satellite-based Wi-Fi hotspot, Iridium GO!
Renowned satellite phone making company, Iridium, is expanding its hotspot range of devices with a new entry unveiled Tuesday. Iridium GO! is a portable satellite-based Wi-Fi hotspot that offers a reliable internet connection for up to 5 smartphones in the most remote places anyone can think of. With the help of the pocket-sized device, users can make calls and send and receive emails without the need of a satellite phone.
Iridium this time has kept it small unlike its humongous satellite phones with big antennas. The hotspot is almost the size of a pocket weighing 10.4 ounces. The hotspot is not good for faster speeds but can set up a reliable connection at 2.4 to 2.8 Kbps. This is enough to make calls, check emails and browse the web, but not for streaming SNL.
"Iridium GO! expands our portfolio and speaks to both how people use devices today and the growing and changing needs within enterprises," TG Daily quoted Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium, as saying. "Iridium GO! enables people to use their own trusted devices - their smartphone or tablet - even when they are off the cellular grid, all while maintaining access to their contacts and applications, as well as reliable voice and data services. It is also the lowest cost device and service offering that Iridium has ever made, making truly global coverage more affordable than ever."
Iridium says the device is user friendly, as lifting the antenna on the GO! will boot up the hotspot and connect to the Iridium network automatically and set up a Wi-Fi connection. To use the internet or to make calls, users will need to go through its companion mobile app for iOS and Android.
Iridium GO! can set up a Wi-Fi network within a 100 feet radius and is built to withstand rain, sand and dust, making it suitable for adventurers and explorers. But the portable device does not come cheap. The cost to cover the charge of the hotspot is $800 and the data charges will vary based on Iridium airtime plan.
The company is planning to launch a fleet of satellites to improve the data speed. The Iridium Next satellites are scheduled to launch in 2015 and will offer speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.