How To Make a Call on your Iridium Satellite Rental Phone

This article explains how to make a call using an Iridium satellite phone. Iridium satellite phones use an international dialing format, so the same steps apply no matter where you are located.

You can find full information about using your satellite phone rental in the rental guide included with your rental, or you may view it online:

• Iridium 9555 Guide

Prepare Your Iridium Satellite Phone for a Call

Before making a call on an Iridium satellite phone, go outside and move to an area with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. Buildings, fences, dense trees, and other obstructions can block the satellite signal and prevent the call from connecting.

Extend the antenna fully and point the tip of the antenna toward the sky. This helps your Iridium satellite phone maintain a strong connection to the satellite network.

Wait for the Iridium Network Registration

Turn on your Iridium satellite phone and wait while it searches for the network. The screen will show Searching at first.

Do not place a call until your Iridium satellite phone screen shows Registered and the signal strength is solid at three to five bars. A weak or unstable signal may prevent the call from going through.

Dial a Number on an Iridium Satellite Phone

Iridium satellite phones must always be dialed using the international format. This means you must enter a plus sign (+), followed by the country code, followed by the full phone number.

1. Press and hold the 0 key until a + sign appears on the screen.
2. Enter the country code and the full phone number.
3. Press the green Call button to place the call.

The country code for Canada and the United States is 1.

Example of Dialing a U.S. Phone Number from an Iridium Satellite Phone

To call the Iridium test number in the United States, dial the number in the following format:

1. Press and hold 0 until you see a +
2. Dial 1 for the U.S. and Canada country code
3. Dial the full number: 4807525105
4. Your screen should display: +14807525105
5. Press the green Call button

Troubleshoot Issues When Making a Call on an Iridium Satellite Phone

If you cannot make a call on your Iridium satellite phone, check the following:

• You are outdoors with a clear view of the sky
• The antenna is fully extended and pointed toward the sky
• The phone screen shows Registered
• The signal strength is at least three bars
• The number was dialed using +, the correct country code, and the full phone number

If you still need help, contact our Support Team.