Mountain guide Bruce Goodlad explains the importance of his Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone
Our customers use their satellite phones all over the world for many different reasons such as expeditions, sailing trips or business calls in remote locations.
Whether our customers use satellite phones frequently or as an emergency back-up only we are always interested to hear of how they use satellite technology to their advantage.
GTC customer Bruce Goodlad works as an international mountain guide. We hear how he uses his Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone to stay connected even in the most remote places.
"As an international mountain guide I work in the high mountains all over the world, often in remote locations so communication is important to all aspects of my work. It is easy to focus on the accident and rescue element of satellite communications and miss the importance of good communication that allows the smooth running of a trip. Access to up to date weather reports and condition reports from other teams operating in your area all contribute to the success of a trip. This is combined with the peace of mind that having guaranteed communication with rescue services provided by the Iridium network gives. Iridium is the only truly global satellite phone network, I have used it all around the globe, phoning my mum from the summit of highest mountain in Antarctica to calling for a weather forecast while ski touring in a remote part of Kamchatka in Eastern Russia. Iridium keeps me up to date. The Iridium Extreme is so small and light that I just leave it in the bottom of my rucksack skiing and climbing everyday. In the Alps, where I live Cell phone coverage is good but it is a long way from complete. Having an Iridium phone with me allows to keep up to date with weather and avalanche forecasts and conditions. It also allows me to arrange logistics where those relying on a cell phone may have no coverage. The SOS facility on the Extreme gives me the peace of mind that if I am injured even if my clients don’t have the language skills to call for help they can alert the rescue services to our situation. I first used an Iridium phone in Antarctica in 2001 where I found it a major step forward in communication and safety provision, the new generation phone takes this security and portability to a new level. In the mountains I am never with out my Iridium, why trust your security to anything else?" Bruce Goodlad Mountain Guide IFMGA Technical Director British Mountain Guides Chamonix March 2013 www.mountainadventurecompany.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/brucegoodlad Find out more about the Iridium 9575 Extreme Satellite Phone