Calls to an Iridium satellite phone from any Telkom phone has been cut by 67 percent following this week`s announcement that Telkom had reduced its international call prices. Call prices from Telkom telephones to Iridium satellite phones have been cut from around R82 per minute to R27, 55c per minute (excluding taxes). The cost of calls from an Iridium satellite phone to another Iridium satellite phone are even cheaper at less than half the cost of this new rate (the equivalent of around R12).
"This is good news for the many South African companies interested in purchasing Iridium for their branch offices in Africa, and for South Africans working in or travelling into Africa," said Derek Oehley, marketing manager for Iridium Africa. "While trade between South Africa and the rest of Africa has increased significantly over the past few years, South African businesses have not been able to maximise the potential because the lack of reliable telecommunications has prevented people from talking to one another and exploring business opportunities".
According to Oehley, Africa is beginning to realise the potential satellite telephony can offer. This week, the Ivory Coast became the first West African country to launch the Iridium System. The Ivory Coast is among the world`s largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, palm oil, coconut, timber, cotton and gum. The plantations are located in remote areas where there are no land-line or cellular connections, and workers currently rely on unsophisticated and unreliable radio systems for communications.
"These customers, and those in the mining, oil and gas exploration and trade and transport industries, need Iridium for simple-to-use, truly portable and reliable communications. The Iridium system provides the global telecommunications infrastructure that will allow the Ivory Coast - often referred to as the Elephant of Africa - to become one of the continent`s most industrialised countries," said Luc Tanoh, Iridium Africa`s manager in West Africa.
Iridium is the first, and only, company to provide voice and paging services with truly global coverage. Iridium handsets sell for around US$1500 and the pager for approximately US$500. Airtime rates range between US$1,45 (for Iridium satellite-to-Iridium satellite phone calls) and a fixed international call rate of US$3 per minute (for calls made to or from an Iridium phone to any other phone system, anywhere in the world). All rates are exclusive of local VAT and taxes and in the case of handsets, exclusive of freight, local VAT and taxes.
A wide range of accessories tailored to the communication needs of each user - such as portable docking stations, car kits and magnetic mountable antennas - are also available.
Furthermore, Iridium offers subscribers the convenience of one phone number, one contract and one monthly bill. Users roam effortlessly from satellite to cellular networks depending on the most cost-effective option for a given moment.
James Rege, Iridium Africa`s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, said Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) services offer a solution to Africa`s telecommunications` problems.
"It costs an average of US$750 for every telephone line installed in Africa. Not only does Iridium provide countries throughout Africa with a global telephone network, but it does so without requiring financial resources from governments - allowing them to use these funds in other areas where investment is urgently required, " said Rege.
Iridium Africa, a privately-owned affiliate of the Mawarid Overseas Company, has to date obtained over 40 licenses to operate its system in Africa, a move, which shows Africa, recognises the benefits of a satellite telephone for increasing industrial efficiency.
The Ivory Coast has an estimated population of 14 million and occupies an area of 322 462 km2.
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