Each summer, outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts spread out into the state's vast open spaces beyond the reach of telephone landlines and cellular networks. Iridium, the primary supplier of satellite communication service in Alaska, said in a news release it is gearing up to meet that demand.

The company is working with its service providers and dealers so they are well stocked with satellite phones, data devices and accessories for sale or rent. In addition, Iridium service providers are introducing flexible service plans tailored to the state's unique requirements.

"This year, we are offering flexible prepaid plans especially designed for the Alaskan user who may only need to use Iridium satellite communications services this part of the year," said Greg Ewert, the company's executive vice president.

Iridium's network architecture, with 66 cross-linked satellites in low- earth orbits intersecting over the poles, provides the only mobile satellite service offering coverage over the entire state of Alaska, including the Aleutians and surrounding waters, and even the far northern regions above the Arctic Circle.

"This means you can use an Iridium satellite phone or data device wherever you go," Ewert said. "Our growth in Alaskan traffic includes Iridium becoming integrated into the state's telecommunications infrastructure, and providing voice and data links for business and government as well as private citizens."

He said Iridium satellite communication services are being used daily across the state by fishing fleets out of Dutch Harbor, oil companies operating in the state's interior, bush pilots flying to remote locations and guide services.

Voice telephony still accounts for a large portion of Iridium traffic in Alaska, but the company also reports the fastest growing segment of its business in general is data communications. Iridium data service covers applications such as asset tracking and remote telemetry.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has installed Iridium terminals on its 28 aircraft in Alaska for automatic position reporting. In addition, a major oil company has fitted Iridium tracking and monitoring devices throughout its fleet of vehicles operating in remote regions of Alaska.

Iridium also has just completed construction of a new Telemetry, Tracking And Command/Control site in Fairbanks, in a move to add another layer of robustness and redundancy to its satellite network. Alaska-based employees are managing the site, the company said.

"Alaska offers a pool of human and technological resources, many affiliated with local universities and businesses," Ewert said. "Couple that with Alaska's modern infrastructure, and top-notch telecommunications and energy resources. The state also has been ideal to work with from an economic and regulatory standpoint."

The Fairbanks ground station will provide additional visibility and access to Iridium's satellite constellation. It will add to the company's command and control capabilities and functionality, particularly for government users.

Iridium also will use the ground station for remote access to Iridium satellites from the company's existing gateways. If space-to-ground communications is ever interrupted at an existing Iridium site, the Alaska ground station will allow access to the constellation without interfering with normal traffic activity.

This adds yet another layer of important reliability for the Iridium network and for customers. The Alaska ground station will be Iridium's fourth TTAC site.

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