Iridium + Telstra

Hi all
I have an old Iridium 9505A in which I use a $10 Telstra SIM card. I haven't used it for a couple of years. Just put the SIM card in it to test things out.

I can ring from the SAT phone to a mobile.
I can text from a mobile to the SAT phone.
I can't seem to ring from a mobile to the SAT phone.

Any suggestions from people still using this setup.

cheers
suitcase
Prado SX and a little van

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Reply By: Bazooka - Monday, May 20, 2019 at 15:41

Monday, May 20, 2019 at 15:41
Hello Suitcase,
Don't have one so it's a case of the blind (me) leading the less blind but off the top of my head: is your mobile set for international roaming?

Possibly more likely: check the number you're calling. Have you appended country and Iridium network codes? According to this you don't need to but elsewhere they say you need to add 0011 : http://www.satellitehire.com.au/using-satellite-phones

More knowledgeable people will probably answer tonight if you can wait .
AnswerID: 625639

Reply By: Nacho - Monday, May 20, 2019 at 16:08

Monday, May 20, 2019 at 16:08
Odd. Thats what I use and the last time someone called me was last year, no problems. The mobile that called was Optus. What network are you trying to call from, not that it should matter.
AnswerID: 625641

Follow Up By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Monday, May 20, 2019 at 16:10

Monday, May 20, 2019 at 16:10
Yep - shouldn't matter - tried two mobiles -mobiles ringing to the Satellite phone should not be a problem with the mobile.
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Reply By: Member - Ross N (NSW) - Monday, May 20, 2019 at 18:27

Monday, May 20, 2019 at 18:27
I think that the mobile will need to be connected to global roaming.
Regards
Ross Nielsen
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Follow Up By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Monday, May 20, 2019 at 18:40

Monday, May 20, 2019 at 18:40
Tried that. But the mobile should go straight through - it has in the past. I'm wondering if Telstra has made some changes to the way roaming operates. That's why I would specifically like to hear from anyone who has an old $10/month casual plan operating on their sat phone.
cheers
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Reply By: Zippo - Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 11:04

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 11:04
Exactly what service provider and contract/deal is the mobile on?
AnswerID: 625658

Follow Up By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 13:50

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 13:50
Tried three. Thing is it used to work so wondering if Telstra have done something. That’s why I would like to know if anyone else on the $10 plan is having that issue.
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Follow Up By: dean ( SA ) - Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 16:03

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 16:03
Look on the bright side...you won't get any unwanted calls @$ 4.00pm.
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Follow Up By: Zippo - Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 16:20

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 16:20
But you have avoided answering the question, which is relevant.
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Follow Up By: dean ( SA ) - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:23

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:23
Yes Zippo you are correct....A first world problem like this should not be taken so lightly.
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Reply By: George_M - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 12:37

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 12:37
Something basic to try: check how the diversion works on the sim you're using in the satphone.

It seems to me that incoming calls to your satphone sim are not diverting properly - so check the diversion codes

George_M
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AnswerID: 625670

Reply By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 13:26

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 13:26
Thanks everyone. It would still be good to hear from someone that is still using a $10/month casual plan from Telstra to see if people are able to ring to the sat phone. As I said, I tried it with three different phones (carriers) and none of them were able to ring to the sat phone.
I ended up buying a Pivotel plan that I will cancel as soon as the trip is over. The cost this way seems quite reasonable and I know it works properly.
cheers.
suitcase
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AnswerID: 625671

Follow Up By: dean ( SA ) - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 13:50

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 13:50
Just tested mine and works perfect calling and texting from Optus..not that it affects you though now. A message on my phone from Telstra saying rates have increased from $4pm to $5pm both in and out, and texts to 75c.
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Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 22:15

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 22:15
I chucked my $10 plan and just use my Telstra post paid in my 9505A....works a treat...only issue is if someone sends an mms....they don't work...everything else in/out is normal
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AnswerID: 625836

Reply By: 116hynes - Thursday, Jun 13, 2019 at 08:07

Thursday, Jun 13, 2019 at 08:07
I've got similar problem. Telstra SIM with global roaming activated in Iridium. Can send SMS & call to mobile, but can't receive. It was working last time I used (over 12 months ago). I got a SMS messages from Telstra saying that I would incur extra charges, but none from other mobiles.

Did you get any solution.

Thanks, Kevin
AnswerID: 626165

Follow Up By: Member - Suitcase (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 13, 2019 at 11:09

Thursday, Jun 13, 2019 at 11:09
Well that's pretty much my problem and no I didn't find a solution. Instead, because we only use the sat phone once or twice a year and I don't have a Telstra mobile, I got a plan with Pivotel and just cancelled it as soon as we got home - cost me $100 for the month. I thought that was ok considering I kept the $10 Telstra plan going just to use in the sat phone. The communications shop down the road had me up and going in about 2 hours.
cheers
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