Mobile phone emergency use.

ve tried it doesnt work , i called telstra about it and 3 people said it works and 6 said it didnt , epirb or sat phone the go but dont use globalstar as they dont even have reception anywhere

Another Urban legend, have a look here.

It works as a universal number that will supposedly pick up any available carrier for the call but it relies on a signal of some provider being present.

Hi John F,
I have been told the same thing, but only if there is reception around. Not sure about a sat phone, but normal mobile with any reception (even if its not your own network) is SUPPOSED to connect via 112 to emergency number in any country. The way it was explained to me is, if I have no reception with my Optus mobile phone, but Telstra reception is in the area, Telstra will take the call....112 is an international code rather than having the 000, 911, 999 etc. Last place I heard this said was during a St. John Ambulance first aid course. Never tried it, so just going on what I was told, but from a reliable source.'Whacker

I understand that 112 works globally if you're in range of any carriers' GSM service, and your handset can communicate on the available frequencies. For example, if you had a Telstra or Optus GSM service, you could not get a 112 connection in the Simpson as neither carrier has a GSM network operating in that area. An Iridium service would operate in the Simpson, but your Telstra/Optus GSM handset does not operate on the Iridium frequency.

More info:

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_100575

Often in the High Country (Victoria) my Telstra mobile will say "Emegency Service Only" or words to that effect. Basically means that at that location I was not in range of a Telstra tower, but in range of another provider. The only number I could call would be 000 or perhaps 112.

Cheers

"dialling 112 anywhere in the world would connect to emergency services. This was a satellite connection, hence would work, for example, in the Simpson - or anywhere else in Oz for that matter. "

Hopefully you will get back to them immediately and make it clear that this type of misinformation could lead to a fatality. This misinformation would make someone believe that they don't need to take a Satphone or an EPIRB, because an "expert" told them that any Mobile Phone would work anywhere in Australia to make an emergency call to 000.

Some interesting commentary and it points to the need to consider not only the informaton on international websites but what happens in Australia.

Firstly the information from your course is incorrect. The Australian Communications Authority is the source of factual information in this country and the link is this http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_100575

Non satellite phones
The 112 code is used where your service provider has no service but another one does and you are actually in range. This code allows you direct access the 000 service regardless so is in fact a bypass code.So that means categorically that if you are in the Simpson desert you will have no mobile phone coverage so that option will not work.

Global roaming. If you take your mobile overseas your carrier needs to have a global roaming agreement with a carrier in the country(s) you are travelling in to even give you coverage. As well some Australian mobile phones need a different SIM to work OS, depends on the country, carrier etc. Best bet is to buy a pay as you go in country we find but this again depends on need

Satphone. Also understand that satphones don't work globally either as we have found on several occassions. You need to discuss global roaming with your satphone service provider which generally surprises a lot of people.

So take a satphone when travelling out of mobile phone range and trust me you will be very surprised how often you are out of range, particularly if you are travelling in South Australia, NT, WA and Qld

Regards

RobA