Satellite Phone Rental Instructions

Follow the steps below on how to create a data connection in Windows 8 for the Iridium 9555 & Iridium Extreme.

Step 1: Install Iridium phone driver

1. Insert Iridium Tools disk into drive (Alternatively, you can download the drivers here: http://support.roadpost.com/kb/articles/206).
2. Power on Extreme phone.
3. Attach the Extreme phone to the computer via USB.
4. Windows will detect the device and start searching for drivers.
5. Windows will automatically install the correct driver from the disk.
6. Windows will notify you when the installation is complete; take note of the COM port assignment.
7. Follow these steps if Windows DOES NOT automatically detects the phone
8. Insert Iridium Tools disk into drive.
9. Power on Extreme phone.
10. Attach the Extreme phone to the computer via USB.
11. Press the Start key
12. Type in "Device Manager" and click on "Settings" then click on "Device Manager"
13. Right click on "Iridium 9575 Handset" under the "Other Devices" section.
14. Click on "Update Driver Software."
15. Click on "Browse my computer for driver software."
16. Click on the "Browse" button.
17. Expand the disk drive that contains the Iridium disk.
18. Click on the "Iridium Extreme Drivers" folder for Extreme phones or the "Drivers" folder for the 9555.
19. Click the "OK" button.
20. Click the "Next" button.
21. Windows will install the drivers.

Step 2: Create a dial-up modem

1. Click on the start menu.
2. Type in “Phone and Modem Options” in the start menu search bar, press enter.
3. Click the “Modems” tab.
4. Click on the “Add” button.
5. A UAC window will pop up requesting permission, click on “Continue.”
6. Check off “Don’t detect my modem; I will select it from a list.”
7. Click on “Standard Modem Types” under the Manufacturer pane.
8. Click on “Standard 19200 bps modem” under the models pane.
9. Click on tbe “Next” button.
10. Click on the same COM port number that was assigned during the Iridium driver installation. If you are unsure of the COM port assignement please follow the sub section below.
11. Click on the start menu
12. Type in “Device manager” into the start menu search bar and press enter.
13. Press the “Continue” buttom if UAC requests permission.
14. Expand the “Ports” section.
15. Look for Iridium USB Serial Port, there will be a COM port assignment beside it.
16. Click back on the “Add Hardware Wizard” window.
17. Click on the “Next” button once the proper COM port has been selected.
18. Windows will install the modem and return a successful result, click the “Finish” button.

Step 3: Create a dial-up networking connection

1. Click on the start menu.
2. Click on the “Control pannel” icon.
3. Click the “Network and Sharing Centre” icon.
4. Click the “Set up a connection or network” link.
5. Click on “Set up a dial-up connection” and press the “Next” button.
6. Click on the “Standard 19200 bps Modem” and click on the “Next button.”
7. Enter 008816000025 in the “Dial-up phone number” field.
8. Enter “Iridium” in the “Connection name” field.
9. Click on the “Connect” button.
10. The computer will attempt a data call right away, click on the “Skip” button.

Follow the steps below on how to place a call from the Iridium 9555 & Iridium Extreme.

Solution 1: Calling a North American number

1. Take the phone outside in the most open area possible
2. Extend and rotate the antenna so it points to the sky when against your ear
3. Wait for the phone to register, the word Registered will appear on the display
4. Press and hold the 0 key until the + appears
5. Dial the country code, area code and phone number
   • Example: + (country code)(area code/city code)(phone number)
   • Example: + 1 416 253 6008

Solution 2: Calling to another Iridium phone

1. Take the phone outside in the most open area possible
2. Extend and rotate the antenna so it points to the sky when against your ear
3. Wait for the phone to register, the word Registered will appear on the display
4. Press and hold the 0 key until the + appears followed by the 8816 number
   • Example: + 8816 325 12345

Iridum Subscribers can call 911 from within the United States. The territory, as defined by the FCC is: the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Iridium 911 services will not work in Canada. Canadian customer need to obtain local emergency numbers before leaving cellular coverage.

Here are some common Q&As:

Q: What happens when you dial 911 outside the territory? Will my 911 call still go through?

A: No. It will not transfer to the emergency call center. Your call will terminate to a switch message instructing you to hang-up and dial the emergency provider or your service provider directly.

Q: Does emergency 911 service need to be provisioned by a Service Provider for it to work?

A: No. Iridium will ensure that all applicable subscribers have this service available to them

Q: How does emergency 911 service work?

A: The caller dials ‘911’ from an Iridium handset. The call is sent to the Intrado emergency 911 call center. A trained professional answers the call, requests the nature of the emergency, the caller’s name, callback number and location. The operator identifies the most appropriate PSAP, contacts them, relays the information acquired and then transfers the caller. The caller is then connected directly to the PSAP. If the caller is not fluent in English, the emergency 911 call center has access to a Language Line Service that can translate the call.

Q: How does an Iridium subscriber access emergency 911 services from the handset?

A: Simply turn on the handset, rotate the antenna, press “9 1 1” and “ok”. If you are using a prepaid or crew calling SIM, you will still dial “9 1 1”. DO NOT dial the leading access numbers of “698” or “2888”

Q: Can you access emergency 911 services without a SIM card?

A: The FCC requires that mobile satellite service providers do not need to provide service for non-initialized handsets (handsets without a SIM).

Q: What happens if my call drops, is disconnected or I hang-up? Will the call center know my location and attempt to contact me?

A: If your call drops or is disconnected, even if you hang-up, before you were able to provide your MSISDN or location, the call center will not be able to call you back or locate you. If you provided your location, the call center will contact the appropriate PSAP and provide them with the information they had acquired. If you were able to provide your MSISDN, the call center will make up to three (3) attempts to call you back. They will still contact the PSAP with your information, even if they are unable to reach you. The call center will ask first for your location and then your callback number.

Step 1: Create Iridium data connection

1. Connect Iridium phone to Mac via USB cable

2. Click on the Apple icon on the top left hand corner of your screen

3. Click on "System Preferences"

4. click on "Network" 

5. Click on the "+" icon 

6. Click on the "Interface" drop down menu

7. Click on "Iridium 9575" or "Iridium 9555"

8. Click on the "Create" button

9. You will be taken back to the "Network" window and your new data connection automatically

10. Fill in the following fields:

a. Telephone Number: 008816000025

b. Account Name: IRIDIUM

c. Password: IRIDIUM

11. Click on the "Show modem status in menu bar" checkbox.

12. Click on the "Apply" button

13. Close the "Network" window

Step 2: Establish connection

1. Make sure that the Iridium phone is plugged in to your computer via USB

2. Click on the phone icon  on the top right hand corner of your toolbar

3. Click on "Connect Iridium 9575 Handset" or "Connect Iridium 9555 Handset"

4. The Iridium handset will display "Data Call in Progress"

The Iridium Handset USB Driver Installer is compatible with the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows 10. The driver that is installed by the tool is compatible with the same platforms. The Microsoft Windows 8 and 8.1 operating systems are not supported, although the drivers are expected to function normally.

The virtual COM port USB driver that is installed is compatible with the following Iridium handsets; Iridium 9555, Iridium Extreme®, and the Iridium Extreme® PTT.

Click here to download driver and installation instructions

For futher assistance with creating a data connection, click the appropriate article below.

Creating a data connection in Windows 7 for Iridium 9555 & Extreme

Creating a data connection in Windows 8 for Iridium 9555 & Extreme

Creating a data connection in Windows 10 for Iridium 9555 & Extreme