TC Communications answers the questions about calling emergencies numbers from satellite phones in Australia

23rd June 2011

allsatphones website is the source of information for IsatPhone Pro - Inmarsat's new handheld satellite phone

With the launch of the affordable IsatPhone Pro in Australia this year, satellite communications has become a viable option for many travelling Australians. Satellite phones now cost as little as $599 + GST and calls cost less than a dollar a minute from anywhere in the world.

Increased use has opened up discussions regarding the use of satellite phones in emergency situations. TC is seeking to clear up any confusion that may exist in the market place by releasing a document on emergency calling which is available to clients, potential clients and other IsatPhone Pro users.

By its very nature a satellite phone is your perfect emergency communications tool. Satellites are not affected by natural disasters, are not dependent on GSM coverage and are built to be robust and 'adventure proof'. They work anywhere in the world - on land or at sea - and even come with their own country code which allows you to use them around the globe without incurring any form of roaming costs.

Furthermore, with an IsatPhone Pro you can send your GPS location data to anyone at the push of a button: peace of mind for anyone travelling to a remote location. Unlike an EPIRB emergency beacon you can use your IsatPhone as a full communications tool and do not have to be in a severe accident or emergency to send location data. So (as in the case of a recent client) if you are five hours into an outback trip, hit a pothole, get a flat tyre and don't have a working jack, you don't need to worry about the costs and embarrassment of sending out an EPIRB alert for a 'non-life threatening' incident. Just call for help and send your position data - all from your IsatPhone Pro.

However, it is this global nature of the IsatPhone Pro that causes confusion when it comes to dialling local emergency numbers. As calls are carried through an international gateway rather than an Australian-based terrestrial network they do not recognise the Australian short dial emergency numbers such as 000 and 112. In addition - as a satellite service - the Isatphone Pro is exempt from the Telecommunications Emergency Call Service Determination. TC therefore recommends that you pre-program emergency contacts in your phone so that they can contact the relevant emergency service agency on your behalf should the occasion arise.

Recognising that sometimes our friends and family don't answer the phone, TC has also compiled a list of numbers that will be very useful for anyone setting off an that 'great Australian adventure'. This list is available at the allsatphones website. This website is a great tool for all 'IsatPhone Pro adventurers' where you can:

• keep up-to-date with the latest firmware upgrades
• download a demo of XGate Satellite Phone Email Service (a tool which enables you to use your IsatPhone Pro for email and data
• allow friends and family to send a free text message to your IsatPhone Pro, and
• access the list of emergency contact numbers.

You can also join the allsatphones adventure club where you will be able to submit photos of your remote travels and be in the running for great prizes (and web fame!) and share hints and tips with your fellow adventurers.

Note:
allsatphones is a fully owned subsidiary of TC Communications Pty Ltd which has been developed to provide targeted services to the satellite phone market in Australia. TC Communications is the pre-eminent satellite communications company in Australia that has been servicing the needs of the Defence, Government, Media, Education, Resource and Corporate markets for over twenty years.

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