3rd December 2015
With this year’s summer well under way, we wanted to remind everyone of the importance of staying safe during the storm and bushfire season, and making sure the public is as prepared as possible. Recent extreme weather conditions across the region have brought large bush fires throughout South Australia and severe storms battering South East Queensland bringing with them large hailstones, damaging winds, and flash flooding.
The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, in conjunction with Fire and Emergency Services across all states, have issued storm warnings advising people move their vehicles under cover and away from trees, secure any items around houses and stay indoors, stay away from creeks and storm drains, and do not drive, ride or walk through flood waters. They also advise that computers and other electrical devices and appliances are unplugged, and to avoid using phones during storms. If you need assistance in an emergency you can call 000 or the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.
Source BOM: http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/
During damaging storms and severe bush fires, it is often common for phone and power lines to come down, causing outages on terrestrial networks which creates havoc during emergencies. With the above recommendation against using communications equipment such as phones and computers, Satcom Global wanted to highlight some of the satellite communications devices available for these critical times. Whether you are a first responder in emergencies such as fire and rescue or a home owner in a remote location where power lines are down, having a satellite communications back up plan can ensure you will always be connected.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to communicate with the outside world and alert authorities should you require assistance is through the use of a satellite phone. Our portfolio of handheld satellite phones from Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the enhanced features for use in different scenarios, such as SOS buttons and GPS tracking. Inmarsat’s latest handset, the IsatPhone 2 provides an assistance button, tracking and an extended battery capacity for longer use. The Iridium Extreme 9575 handset boasts an emergency button, GPS positioning, and is ruggedized to handle even extreme elements. Thuraya also offer both the XT-PRO which features an emergency button and XT-LITE handheld which provides a more cost-effective offering.
As well as the ever popular handheld satellite phones, our Smartphone to Satphone portfolio features Wi-Fi hotspots such as the Iridium Go! or Thuraya SatSleeve Hotspot offering a different approach to satellite connectivity. For a robust, on-the-move solution for higher communications demands, Inmarsat’s BGAN land terminals provide excellent coverage and connectivity.
Once you have your satellite communications solution in place, make sure the equipment is easy to find and ensure your satellite phone batteries are charged and you have checked your credit balance. You can also make a free test call from your satellite phone to make sure it is functioning correctly:
- Iridium –To test your Iridium 9555, Iridium Extreme 9575 or Iridium 9505A, make a free call to 00-1-480-752-5105*
- Inmarsat – To test your IsatPhone Pro or IsatPhone 2, call +870 776 999 999 for free.
- Thuraya –Dial 11 11 2 from your Thuraya XT-LITE, Thuraya XT-PRO, Thuraya XT, Thuraya SatSleeve Hotspot and Thuraya SatSleeve+ satellite phones, to make a free test call.
Calling the above numbers will provide confirmation that your satellite phone is working and your subscription is valid.
For more information on emergency communications for this year’s summer extreme weather conditions, please contact oceania@satcomglobal.com or call us +61 7 3257 7309
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