Push-to-Talk
Go Anywhere. Work as a Team.
Radio interoperability available.
Iridium Push-to-Talk: Enterprise-Level Communications
Organizations with employees working in remote locations must maintain realtime communications and location awareness. Without it, work slows and safety becomes a question. Unfortunately, Land Mobile Radios have dead zones which leave remote workers at-risk and cut off from co-workers. Iridium Push-to-Talk (PTT) helps resolve this weakness. We offer handheld Iridium PTT phones for mobile workers as well as equipment for use in vehicles and buildings. Iridium PTT is interoperable with land mobile radios using affordable bridge equipment like the iMatrix.
Iridium PTT Talk Groups cover vast areas. The smallest talk group which is included free (5 active devices required) covers an area roughly the size of the State of Indiana and can be divided into as many as 5 non-contiguous regions that can be located anywhere. The talk group's membership and boundaries are controlled on-the-fly using a very easy-to-use and easy-to-learn secure administrative web portal. Sometimes different groups of Iridium PTT subscribers need to collaborate. For example two emergency response organizations responding to the same crisis. Collaboration between these two Iridium PTT subscriber groups is easily achieved when one subscriber group's administrator shares its talk group to the second subscriber organization. This is achieved in a few moments and without cost via the secure administrative web portal.
In addition to Iridium PTT, we offer enterprise-level Iridium-based location tracking equipment. The SmallTrack Global Tracking Device uses Iridium SBD to communicate to transmit speed, location, and other information to its Proximity web portal platform. Two buttons on the SmallTrack are available to be configured for custom applications such as automated worker security check-ins and emergency alert notifications. The SmallTrack can inform management when a vehicle enters or exits a virtual geofenced area. Call us for more information. Iridium Edge Solar M2M is used for applications where external power is unavailable such as tracking shipping containers or fixed asset monitoring. It is designed for a 10-Year operational life in almost any environmen and has an internal battery that is recharged via a built-in solar panel.
Outfitter Satellite is an Authorized Iridium PTT Reseller and Marlink Elite Partner. Contact us now for more information.
Service Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iridium PTT demonstration equipment available?
Outfitter Satellite has a limited number of Iridium Extreme PTT and ICOM IC-SAT100 PTT phones available for short duration demonstrations. An iMatrix XB (mobile version) is available to demonstrate interoperability. Our iMatrix XB demonstration kit includes a Motorola mobile radio. If the customer wants to demonstrate there own mobile radio model, a one-time development charge will apply to build the necessary wiring harness. An iMatrix console version is available for purchase for use in in-building command centers.
Demonstration equipment is limited to use within a Small Talk Group (100,000 square kilometers) and must be returned within 2 weeks or your organization will be subject to daily fees until the demonstration equipment is returned. For more information or to arrange a demonstration for your organization, please contact us.
Is short-term rental of Iridium PTT equipment available?
No, but we can sell you new or used PTT equipment with an option to buy it back from you after a fixed amount of time contingent on the equipment being returned in good and merchantable condition. This process is usually lower in cost for the client compared to rental. Pricing and buy-back value are dependent on the number of devices purchased with the buy-back option and the length of your usage period. Please contact us for more information.
Is Telephony service available on Iridium PTT phones?
Yes, some Iridium PTT phones, such as the Iridium Extreme PTT phone, support calls and texts to public switched telephone numbers (telephony) in addition to Iridium PTT communications (PTT). The ICOM IC-SAT100 PTT only supports PTT communications and does not support telephony.
Outfitter Satellite will provide a "companion" SIM card for telephony at no charge for any Iridium PTT equipment that supports telephony functions. Telephony-mode capabilities restricted to Canada, Mexico and the 50 US states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is available at no additional monthly charge. Per minute usage charges will apply to telephony calls. Other telephony options available for additional monthly fees include Global telephony coverage (excluding the Middle East) and +1 US Phone Number services. Use of a "companion" SIM card in a non-PTT Iridium phone is prohibited and can result in immediate deactivation of the SIM card without notice.
I have a small organization. Is Iridium PTT right more me?
Iridium PTT is intended for groups of workers needing communications that can reach an entire group simultaneously. If your organization has 5 or more remote workers, Iridium PTT normally offers significant advantages and cost savings. But if your group is small, for example just two or three people, then we recommend using conventional Iridium voice communication or texting services. Our Iridium In-Network Calling Plan allows unlimited direct dialed voice calling between Iridium handsets on the plan. Please contact us for more information on the In-Network Calling Plan.
How many Talk Groups can a subscriber have?
Each Iridium PTT phone can access up to 15 Talk Groups, which can be configured on-the-fly by the administrator of the PTT Command Center web portal. A single Small Talk Group is free to any customer with 5 active Iridium PTT phones. Additional talk groups and larger talk groups are available for additional monthly fees.
Can a Talk Group be used anywhere on earth?
Yes, the Talk Group published on this site can be used globally,
How are Talk Groups configured?
On-the-fly web portal controls, let your administrator adjust the boundaries of talk groups or change talk group device membership instantaneously 24/7. Iridium PTT Talk Groups have extremely large coverage areas, and that coverage area can be divided into non-contiguous over-the-horizon regions. For example, a single talk group could include parts of Tennessee, Texas and Hawaii -- and these boundaries can be configured on-the-fly by the administrator in a few moments as the need arises. A Small Talk Group can be divided into up to 5 non-contiguous areas. Larger talk groups can be divided into 10 non-contiguous areas.
Sometimes there is a need for different Iridium PTT subscriber groups to work together temporarily. For example, this is a common occurrence amongst emergency response organizations. If your organization needs to collaborate with another Iridium PTT subscriber group, your organization's administrator can use the Iridium PTT Command Center web portal to temporarily share one of its talk groups with the second organization -- all on-the-fly 24/7 whenever needed.
Can a Talk Group be shared between two subscribers?
Sometimes it is necessary for Iridium PTT users from different subscriber groups to collaborate. For example, this might occur is two state emergency response organizations collaborated during a regional emergency. Temporary sharing of a Talk Group owned by one subscriber can be achieved in a few moments by the two customers' designated administrators for the Iridium PTT Command Center web portal.
Is Iridium PTT interoperable with Land Mobile Radio?
There are several systems available to bridge Iridium PTT talk groups to Land Mobile Radios. We recommend the Matrix iSeries because it compensates for the extra time-delay involved in space-based Iridium PTT communications. Versions of the iMatrix are available for land vehicles and in-building dispatch applications. A demonstration of the iMatrix can be arranged.
Video Overview of Iridium Push-to-Talk