Video: Iditarod Now Leverages Iridium-Based Tracking and Voice Communications
Used by Enterprise Organizations Worldwide
Iridium-Based Tracking Allows First Opportunity for Fans to 'Watch' All Racers
Online; Iridium Voice Service Provides Extra Layer of Safety for Participants
BETHESDA, Md. and ANCHORAGE, Alaska, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The same
satellite technology being used to track vehicles, postal packages, airplanes,
containers and supplies is now a mandated requirement for mushers
participating in the 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Iditarod Trail
Committee (ITC), organizers of the race, tested Iridium-based tracking
technology on several dog sleds in 2008. The ITC was so satisfied with the
results, service and safety associated with the tracking capability that it
mandated all mushers must mount an Iridium-based tracking device, provided by
IonEarth, on their sleds. IonEarth is an Iridium value-added reseller (VAR).
Roadpost, an Iridium Service Provider, is also supplying Iridium satellite
phones to Iditarod staff for safety and operational purposes during this
three-week, 1,000-mile race in some of the world's harshest weather and
landscapes. "By arming Iditarod mushers and staff with Iridium-based
communications, we are continuing to bring a race based on a 10,000-year-old
mode of transportation into the 21st century," said Stan Hooley, executive
director, ITC.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/iridium/35335/
This year's Iditarod competition kicks-off in Anchorage, Alaska on March 7.
IonEarth has developed Iridium-enabled bi-directional global positioning
system (GPS) tracking devices, which permit race organizers, volunteers, media
and fans to follow the movement of all mushers in near real-time throughout
the race at www.iditarod.com.
Recognizing the unique value proposition of Iridium's global low-latency data
links for remote tracking and monitoring, the ITC turned to IonEarth to
develop a system using the Iridium network. The committee will utilize
Iridium's tracking technology to stimulate greater involvement by race fans,
serve as a coordination tool for race organizers, as well as a safety device
for veterinarians, medical personnel and rescue workers on hand for
emergencies. Iridium-based voice and data communications provide the same
reliable, critical lifeline to enterprise organizations around the world.
Iridium has been selected as the mobile satellite service (MSS) provider for
the Iditarod because only Iridium guarantees service into the far northern
latitudes -- and to the entire globe. No other MSS provides truly global
communications services.
"Iridium-based voice communications have been a 'must' for years for
organizations operating in remote locations, like portions of Alaska, where no
other forms of telecommunication infrastructure exist," said Don Thoma,
executive vice president, Marketing, Iridium. "Tracking assets and keeping in
touch while on the ocean, in the air, and in oil fields, rural highways and
through remote territories is critical for anyone who operates or lives
outside the normal boundaries of cellular or land-based telecommunications
infrastructure. In addition, Iridium data modems fit well into IonEarth's
small, lightweight, efficient and reliable tracking units. For those watching
the race, it not only provides status updates for an exciting competition, but
also layers an added element of safety for family and friends of mushers and
staff."
Iridium's global, pole-to-pole satellite communications coverage and unmatched
network quality are the primary reasons Iridium has become the fastest-growing
MSS provider. Iridium's subscriber base of mobile data users continues to
grow, with its massive increase driven in large measure by enterprise
organizations that require worldwide, economical low-latency data links for
international asset tracking and resource management.
"Like many Alaskans, we know that only Iridium can work for this type of
application -- in this unforgiving environment, at this latitude and with the
necessary level of reliability," Hooley said. "IonEarth's remote tracking
solution meets our demanding requirements for reliable operation under some of
the most extreme weather conditions on the planet. This application not only
brings the race into the homes of fans all over the world, it also simplifies
our logistics and has the capacity to save lives."
The IonEarth device developed for the Iditarod consists of a miniature GPS
receiver, Iridium short-burst data (SBD) modem, control electronics and
lightweight, high-performance batteries especially designed for extended
operation in severe temperatures. The devices will transmit position, speed,
heading and temperature through the Iridium network to a central server every
15 minutes. Interested parties can log onto the Iditarod Website
(www.iditarod.com) where they can view the latest information and location for
each musher superimposed on a 3D terrain map of the trail.
Journalists, film crews and Iditarod race officials will be equipped with
IonEarth terminals as well. These terminals will be wirelessly connected to
handheld computers, allowing them to monitor the mushers and each other from
remote locations without the need for an Internet connection. Race officials
also will be equipped with Iridium 9505A satellite phones provided by
Roadpost. Roadpost's event services team customized the packaging of Iridium
phones for the Iditarod, including pre-loading a shared address book to the
phones, pre-labeling phones with user names, and pre-printing business cards
with the user's Iridium phone number to ease administration for event
organizers. Easy-to-use and durable, Iridium satellite phones provide the only
satellite voice communications service that works everywhere in the world.
"In fact, some satellite phone users in Alaska are trading in handsets from
other providers for Iridium phones because we're the only service that works
effectively not only in all of Alaska, but globally," Thoma added.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only MSS company offering
pole-to-pole coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of
low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and
data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks.
Iridium's subscriber growth has been driven by increasing demand for reliable,
global communications. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide
network of hundreds of distributors, and provides services to the U.S.
Department of Defense, and other U.S. and international government agencies.
The company's customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including
maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas,
mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a
major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation,
Iridium NEXT, which will result in continued and new Iridium MSS offerings.
The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md. and is currently privately held.
About IonEarth
IonEarth LLC (www.ionearth.com) develops real-time satellite telemetry,
situational awareness and communication technologies serving operations in
difficult and remote environments. Examples include support for teams,
organizers and media participating in long-distance international competitions
such as the grueling Baja off-road races, as well as petroleum industry
operations requiring the scattered deployment and coordination of assets and
personnel. IonEarth is an Iridium VAR for integrated voice and data services.
About Roadpost Inc.
Roadpost provides global satellite and cellular communications to individuals,
corporations, governments, institutions and international events. From the
world's business centers to the most remote locations on Earth, thousands of
organizations trust Roadpost to provide comprehensive voice and data
communications solutions and value-added services that ensure complete global
communications coverage for their employees. Roadpost's product portfolio
includes an array of mobile satellite and cellular equipment and services,
operating on the leading networks and offered on a rental or subscription
basis. Founded in 1991, Roadpost has been an Iridium Service Provider since
1999.
About Iditarod
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (www.iditarod.com), which has been described
as the "Last Great Race on Earth," runs from Anchorage, in south central
Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast. Seventy teams of 12-16 dogs
and their mushers will cover almost 1,000 miles in 10-17 days, a homage to the
mushers who, in 1925, helped deliver diphtheria serum to stricken Nome via the
Iditarod Trail mail routes. The Iditarod covers some of the roughest,
most-extreme terrain Mother Nature has to offer. Jagged mountain ranges,
frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast
test mushers and their dogs against everything wild in the Alaskan frontier.
SOURCE Iridium Satellite LLC
Liz DeCastro of Iridium, +1-301-571-6257, liz.decastro@iridium.com; or Jerry
Miller of IonEarth, +1-231-935-1585 ext. 106, jerry@ionearth.com; or Chas St.
George of Iditarod, +1-907-376-5155 ext. 115, cstgeorge@iditarod.com; or Kim
Layne of Roadpost, +1-905-272-3933 ext. 306, klayne@Roadpost.com
