Iridium satellite phones are made by the Iridium corporation, and can give the claim of being the only satellite phone provider that is truly global in its coverage area. This even includes oceans, airways, and polar regions. These phones are capable of delivering communications to and from the most remote areas in the world where absolutely no other form of communication is available. This has made them the leader in their field, and the top choice for many companies involved in exploratory rolls.

Iridium satellite phones pick up communication through what is called "The Iridium constellation." This is a series of an amazing 66 low orbiting satellites that link, and cross-link, with one another through various orbital designs that guarantee coverage to every part of the Earth no matter what time of day or night. This is the largest non government satellite system in the world, and this makes these satellite phones ideal for various industries such as maritime, aviation, oil exploration, geology surveying, military, emergency, mining, forestry, heavy equipment, transportation, and rescue. This system is so dependable that it is used by the United States Department of Defense. This is because they have proven their reliability in even the worst and most barren of conditions.

Iridium satellite phones allow worldwide voice and data communications using handheld devices. The system is amazing, as someone from the North Pole could call someone lost in the middle of an Australian outback. The coverage literally includes the entire world, though there are some areas where the system is not allowed to be used, usually in nations that the United States has an embargo on (such as North Korea and Sudan). Many of the satellites seen in the night sky that give short bright flashes belong to the Irdidium system.

The first call made on an Iridium satellite phone was made by then Vice President Al Gore. While this system is used by many corporations, the sheer cost of the satellites makes the Department of Defense contract almost mandatory to ensure the continued success of the system. At least this was true, initially. The idea of complete communication has been jumped upon by many companies, and so the number of users has increased dramatically over the past few years, making the company a very profitable and viable enterprise.

Amazing advancements in technology have made possible what even in most of our lifetimes was once thought of as science fiction. Now a company can make a call from any place at any time, with no towers or other systems in sight. This has also made the jobs of individuals who have to work in isolated areas much safer, as emergency calls can be made, as well as updates given to employers by those on the field. Once a science fiction hope, now Iridium satellite phones make communications possible literally anywhere in the world.