Iridium announced to its distribution network the shutdown of the AxcessPoint WiFi router at the end of February (¹) which allows an iPad or iPhone to connect to an Iridium phone to access an email service.
No need to worry for current users : the associated Iridium email service will remain active and accessible to all users. However, this router will no longer be able to be ordered from the 25 February.
Iridium intends to focus on its Iridium GO solution from now on! (²) for dial-up telephone and data access. For future buyers, the concept is better suited and much more economical than an Iridium phone + AxcessPoint router. But for browsers, This is not necessarily the best solution, especially for safety. It is safer to take in an annex, or even a life raft, an 9575 waterproof and self-contained than an Iridium GO! useless without having an equally waterproof smartphone with you.
For current Iridium phone owners, and for those who prefer to choose this solution, they will be able to use the WiFi router Optimizer from Global Marine Network, More universal device because it supports almost all existing satellite phone systems.
[Update 19/02/2015]
The good news, is that the application Iridium Mail & Web app is up to date to use this router with the free Iridium messaging service, but only for connecting Iridium mobile phones (9575, 9555, 9505A) with tablets and smartphones.
Iridium connections with PC and Mac will only be supported by the email service XGate of GMN through a subscription.
It is therefore a change in continuity that will have little impact on current and potential users.
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(¹) Iridium AxcessPoint : GRIB weather files on iPhone and iPad in open sea
(²) Iridium GO! keeps its promises [Update]
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Bonjour,
Congratulations on your articles.
I just saw that the isathub was available (1400€ inc VAT).
The call rate seems "acceptable": with an annual subscription of €320, the price per MB is 4,3$ HT, which is reasonable to recover 100kb gribs (billing of 50KB mini then by 20KB).
And above all, the connection speed should make it easier to retrieve files than the Go iridium solution.
What do you think?
Merci
Julian (I'm going for a tour of the Atlantic with my family in August)
It's very interesting, but with a size restriction : Absolutely unusable at sea, except moored to a pontoon ! Once the antenna is locked to the satellite, it must remain stationary so as not to disconnect the link. IsatHub is reserved, alas, for land use. Reason why I didn't talk about it on this blog.
Bonjour,
Your article from 17/02 comes at the right time following your response by email from 16/02 on my question about the AxcessPoint router adaptation kit with an IRIDIUM 9505A for use with an IPAD.
I agree with your safety approach, which reinforces my idea of keeping my IRIDIUM 9505A and its complete installation on board (dock, HP, fixed antenna on gantry, etc, ).
So I forget about the "Iridium AxcessPoint" router and I consider acquiring the GMN Optimizer WiFi router.
Can you confirm that this solution will allow us to properly receive Grib files and messaging on an IPAD Cellular 3G tablet.
Kind regards
Jean Gabriel
NANTES
I confirm. Two conditions :
– Equip the 9505A with its cradle with a serial connector and a serial/USB cord Prolific to connect to the Optimizer router
ERRATUM :
– Purchase an email subscription XGate at GMN (Only the 9555 and 9575 can use Iridium messaging)For a free Iridium messaging service : 9505A (to check), 9555, 9575, Iridium GO!