A dedicated US number is an optional add-on that assigns a unique, permanent US phone number directly to your Iridium or Inmarsat satellite device. This article explains what a dedicated US number is, how much it costs, how incoming call charges work, and how it compares to Iridium's two-stage dialing service.
What Is a Dedicated US Number?
A dedicated US number gives your satellite device its own unique US phone number. Once it's added to your plan, anyone can call your satellite device by dialing that number — just like calling a regular US mobile. There's no special access code, no bridge service, and no extra steps for the person calling you.
The number is permanently linked to your device and stays consistent over time, so you can share it as your contact number without any changes needed. A dedicated US number is available as an optional add-on on Iridium and Inmarsat postpaid plans.
Dedicated US Number — Monthly Cost
A dedicated US number is billed as a monthly add-on fee, in addition to your existing plan cost.
| Network | Monthly Add-On Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Iridium | $9.95 / month |
| Inmarsat | $15.00 / month |
To add a dedicated US number to your plan, please contact our support team. This service isn't available through self-serve.
Incoming Call Charges — What You'll Be Billed
When someone calls your dedicated US number, the airtime is charged to you — the satellite device owner — not the person calling you. This applies to every incoming call, regardless of your monthly minute plan.
| Network | Incoming Call Rate |
|---|---|
| Iridium | $1.89 / minute |
| Inmarsat | $4.75 / minute |
Charges begin immediately when the call connects. If you expect to receive frequent or long calls, we recommend reviewing your plan's per-minute rate before adding this service so you can make the best decision for your usage.
Is a Dedicated US Number Right for You?
A dedicated US number works well if you want people to be able to reach your satellite device easily, without needing to follow any special calling instructions. Here are a few things to consider before adding it.
It's a good fit if:
- You want a simple, direct number people can call or text without any extra steps
- You'll share your contact number in advance and want it to stay the same
- You're comfortable with incoming calls being billed to your account per minute
- Callers may not know how to use satellite calling services
Keep in mind:
- There is a monthly add-on fee ($9.95 for Iridium / $15.00 for Inmarsat)
- Incoming calls are billed to you at $1.89/min (Iridium) or $4.75/min (Inmarsat)
- A 10-minute call on Inmarsat, for example, would cost $47.50 in airtime
- The service requires agent assistance to activate and isn't available on rental devices
How a Dedicated US Number Compares to Iridium Two-Stage Dialing
If you have an Iridium device, you may have heard of two-stage dialing. While both services involve a US-based number, they work very differently. Two-stage dialing is a cost-saving forwarding service that's automatically included with all Iridium postpaid and prepaid SIMs — it doesn't give your device its own number.
To use two-stage dialing, a caller dials a shared Arizona-based number (+1-480-768-2500), then enters your 12-digit Iridium number when prompted. This routes the call to you at standard US long-distance rates for the caller. You're still charged per minute for the incoming call.
Here's how the two services compare for Iridium devices:
| Dedicated US Number | Two-Stage Dialing | |
|---|---|---|
| Your own unique number? | Yes — exclusively yours | No — shared bridge number |
| How callers reach you | Dial your US number directly | Dial +1-480-768-2500, then enter your Iridium number when prompted |
| Monthly fee | $9.95 / month (Iridium) | Included with all Iridium SIMs |
| Incoming call cost to you | $1.89 / minute | $1.79 / minute |
| Extra steps for callers | None | Yes — dial bridge number, then enter Iridium number |
| Available on rental devices | No | Yes |
| Requires activation | Yes — contact support to add | No — included automatically |
For more information on two-stage dialing, see How To Call Using Iridium Two Stage Dialing.
How to Add a Dedicated US Number to Your Plan
Adding a dedicated US number to your account can only be done during the initial activation or purchase of a postpaid plan, if you need this after activation it will require assistance from our support team. This service isn't available through self-serve on the BlueCosmo website or portal.
To get started, reach out to us through the BlueCosmo Contact Us page and let us know you'd like to add a dedicated US number to your Iridium or Inmarsat plan. Our team will walk you through the next steps.
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If you have any questions about this service or need help choosing the right option for your plan, you're welcome to reach out to our support team at any time through the BlueCosmo Contact Us page.
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