IP: a "new" Iridium customer field report

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "the terminal of Geoff Goodfellow" <geoff () iconia com>
> To: "Dave E-mail Pamphleteer Farber" <farber () cis upenn edu>
> Subject: a "new" Iridium customer field report
> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 11:38:14 -0700
>
>
> I received a new SIM chip from Iridium service provider Stratos on Friday.
> My last 3 days experience is, well, disappointing
>
>
> About 70% of my "long calls" (i.e. calls that "attempt" to last greater than
> 4 or 5 minutes) DROP at around 4 mins 30 secs on the average.
>
> The voice quality still SUCKS, just as it did before the "old" Iridium
> closed down.
>
> This all seems very consistent with the Canadian DoD Iridium system
> performance report from 9/99 that is presently circulating around the net,
> see
> http://cradpdf.drdc-rddc.dnd.ca/PDFS/zbc78/p512119.pdf
>
> HOWEVER, in fairness, i understand there is a new software load (INC0620)
> that is suppose to improve voice quality (and also support data). I am
> running INC0607. I do not know if INC0620 also improves on the ability to
> maintain the connection without dropping as well improving voice quality for
> as long as the call lasts).
>
> [as readers of this list know, i'm not entirely "new" to wireless, see
> http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/01/biztech/articles/17drop.html :),
> and yes, I have the antenna fully extended and maintained in the most
> vertical position possible with clear view of The Heavens -- but the "long"
> calls keep on dropping like flies and the voice quality is really sucky.]
>
> I am still willing to give the "new" Iridium service the benefit of the
> doubt until such time as my ISU is upgraded to the latest software release
> which will hopefully fix these "old" Iridium problems.
>
> Geoff Goodfellow
> Prague, CZ
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
> geoff.goodfellow () iconia com, Prague CZ * tel/mobil +420 (0)603 706 558
> "success is getting what you want & happiness is wanting what you get"
> http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/01/biztech/articles/17drop.html



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