News

First global handheld IsatPhone Pro is activated

05-07-2010 - Emergency responders in the United States have become the first customers to be able to use IsatPhone Pro following the commercial launch of Inmarsat's first global handheld satellite phone.

The first activation of the new phone - which has been purpose-built for the Inmarsat network - was for the Colorado Division of Emergency Management (CDEM). The world's first commercial phone call was made on this SIM card shortly afterwards.

CDEM is responsible for supporting local and state agencies in the event of disasters such as flooding, tornadoes, wildfire, hazardous materials incidents, and acts of terrorism.

Advance orders

It was the first of over 2,000 advance orders to be fulfilled by distribution partner Stratos. Customers have been drawn by the phone's impressive credentials:

• the longest battery life in the market
• the most robust handset
• reliable global coverage
• clear voice quality
• ease of use; and
• competitive price.

The CDEM activation was managed for Stratos by its channel partner Outfitter Satellite, based in Nashville, Tennessee, using the online provisioning and monitoring tool Stratos Dashboard.

Jack D. Cobb, communications manager for Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Emergency Management, said: "We selected IsatPhone Pro from Stratos because we needed a portable, handheld unit to supplement our transportable and vehicle-mounted communications systems.

Emergency use

"For certain security and emergency situations, we must be able to hand an IsatPhone Pro unit to a responder who may be assigned to any region in the country - without worrying about coverage."

Cobb added: "We will use the IsatPhone Pro under our Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) deployments and also to support executive security needs and other response situations - both statewide and potentially nationwide."

"Our applications require the strong background, technical capability and support that the Inmarsat satellite system brings to emergency communications."

Customers using IsatPhone Pro from Stratos benefit from The Stratos Advantage, a wide range of value-added services that ensure optimal communications performance and cost efficiency.

www.stratosglobal.com

www.outfittersatellite.com

www.dola.state.co.us

Back to previous page.