If you have, I'm told they all need to be returned for new hardware before they'll work properly.......just thought you should know before you bring it on safari.

I have one from work which was bought in 2004, do you know which serial #'s have a problem?

Ahmed

If you go to the bottom of their homepage at http://www.iridium.com and click on 9595A phone exchange you'll find details of the various changes that need to be made to the various serial numbers etc.

For example if your serial number begins SUG0088MH the entire unit needs to be replaced - I believe all the others just need upgrades.

Steve,

I just called my Iridium vendor and she advised my that there is a recall on some phones due to the battery not holding a charge. After an undetermined amount of time the phone rejects the battery and it goes off. My phone is one of the affected units. I talked to Iridium Inc. and was told I was SOL on getting my phone fixed prior to my daparture to Tanzania on July 15.

$1900.00 shot to hell.

As a maybe kinda fix a tech told me that the problem arises when the battery goes totally down. Keep it charged and it should be OK. I hope so.

Thanks for the heads up Steve................JJ

JJ,

I reckon it must be more than that on some models as the website talks about hardware & software upgrades and complete replacement.

It's currently impossible to buy any Irridium handset anywhere in Africa - and almost impossible to hire one as even the older reconditioned models have been lent to those who have had to send their own ones back.....

Maybe the ones sold in the US only require a new battery pack.

JJ,

Cheap insurance might be to purchase a Brunton solar panel ($120) to go with the Iridium.

http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/br_solarport4.html

It attaches to your car charger attachment and, I believe, can power the phone in direct sunlight even on a dead battery. Should your battery be defective, and the sun is shining, you should still be OK. To be frank, it is a good accesory to have anyway given the relatively low cost.

Best,

JohnTheGreek

Gentlemen,

You are better off selling those Iridium phones and get Thuraya instead.

We have used both, and there is absolutely no comparison between the two whatsoever.

Using a Thuraya is just like using a cell phone. There is no lag, echo or dropped calls. And one usually can connect on this first try, unlike Iridium.

Thuraya

Saeed,

I contacted Thuraya via their web site and was told first that the coverage boundries cut through Tanzania so service "could be spotty" and second there are no phones available right now. I'm kinda in a bind for time as I leave 7-15.

I called them right after I got the bad news from Iridium . JohnGreek may have the best solution. Thanks anyway.............JJ

JJ,

FWIW I've experience of Thuraya working fine at least at the top half of the Selous and also in the top end of Mozambique (which would indicate they also work in the bottom half of Selous).

If you're travelling to TZ via JIA there's a company here that has Thuraya in stock and I'm sure would deliver to you there. Let me know by e-mail if you need their contact details......

I have been dealing with this issue for a few months now. If you have one of the early 9505A it will have to be returned for hardware and software upgrades. The later 9505A will need to be returned only for software upgrades. Software fixes can be done by your vendor and it takes 10 minutes to complete. Hardware fixes are sent to factory. Leave your phone on and run down the battery and then recharge it. If you get an error message of "Invalid Battery" your phone needs to be send back. With any luck I'll get my phone back 1 week before I'm off to Zim. I leave on the July 12.