Iridium satellite network complete

The completion of the Iridium network enables global telephone calls to be placed and received on a hand-held phone with an integral antenna, says O’Gara Satellite Networks.

The Iridium system is made up of 66 low-orbit satellites 485 miles above the earth – as opposed to the geo-stationary Inmarsat system which orbits at 22,000 miles – which allows the use of a smaller antenna and therefore a smaller phone, says O’Gara.

One number makes users accessible virtually anywhere, says the company, and the Iridium phone is compatible with cellular networks. Moving between local networks is achieved by inserting cellular cassettes.

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