Japan Renews Iridium Global Phone Service

SPACEMART

Tokyo (UPI) Apr 15, 2005
A subsidiary of Japan's KDDI Corporation is to restart its globe-spanning Iridium satellite mobile phone service in June after a five-year hiatus.

KDDI Network & Solutions expects an increased demand for the service from local governments and companies as part of efforts to respond more effectively to earthquakes and other natural disasters, the Asahi Shimbun reported Friday.

The mobile phone system operated by Iridium Satellite of the United States is able to cover the Earth's entire surface through 66 orbiting satellites as long as users have no obstruction overhead.

A satellite-based mobile phone can be used in remote areas such as mountains and islands where terrestrial cell phone service is not available.

It also can provide normal service in areas struck by a natural disaster, where terrestrial cell phone services might be overwhel! med by heavy usage.

Subscription fees and other details have yet to be decided, but a phone is expected to cost about $1,840.

The Iridium service was started in Japan in 1998 by Nippon Iridium. However, the company terminated operations in March 2000, after failing to attract users because of the high cost of the phones and subscriptions.

All rights reserved. � 2005 United Press International. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by United Press International. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of United Press International.

SPACEMART

Twenty Million U.S. Households To Use Satellite Radio By 2010

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 14, 2005
More than 20 million US households will listen to satellite radio by 2010 as digital audio becomes more popular, according to a study released Tuesday by Forrester Research.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.