- GMDSS plans from $40.00 / month
- Free emergency calls
- Global coverage incl. Sea Area A4
Iridium GMDSS plans
Iridium GMDSS Plans: Maritime Distress and Safety Airtime
Airtime for Iridium Connected GMDSS terminals such as the Lars Thrane LT-3100S. Distress alerting, maritime safety information and safety voice anywhere on the planet, with free emergency calls and clear published rates.
Plans starting at$40.00per month
- Free emergency calls
- Monthly or annual billing
- Liberian registry service
- Since 197450+ years in satellite communications
- Pole-to-pole coverageIridium GMDSS in Sea Areas A1 to A4
- Secure checkoutOrder your plan online
- Maritime expertsHelp with activation and registration
Overview
What is Iridium GMDSS?
Iridium GMDSS brings the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System to the Iridium satellite network. A vessel fitted with an Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal, such as the Lars Thrane LT-3100S or the Intellian C700, can send a distress alert, receive maritime safety information and make safety voice calls from anywhere at sea.
A GMDSS plan keeps that terminal active. Choose Monthly Basic for a low-cost compliance line, Monthly Value for more minutes and Liberian registry support, or Annual Value for one yearly payment.
In short: Global Satellite offers three Iridium GMDSS plans: Monthly Basic at $40.00 per month, Monthly Value at $152.90 per month and Annual Value at $1,608.80 per year. Emergency calls are free, and the one-time activation fee is $327.60.
Iridium GMDSS at a glance
- Network
- Iridium (global, incl. A4)
- Terminals
- Lars Thrane LT-3100S, Intellian C700
- Plans
- Monthly Basic, Monthly Value, Annual Value
- Prices
- From $40.00 per month
- Allowance
- 30 to 600 min & SMS
- Emergency calls
- Free
- Activation
- $327.60 one-time
- Data
- From $1.20 per MB
- Cancellation
- 30-day notice
Shop GMDSS airtime
Choose your Iridium GMDSS plan
Three airtime plans for Iridium Connected GMDSS terminals. Select whether your terminal is already activated or needs its first activation, accept the Airtime Service Agreement, then check out securely. All prices in US dollars.
Please accept the Airtime Service Agreement before you order.
Monthly plan
Iridium GMDSS Monthly Basic
Best for: Compliance-first vessels that keep the line ready for distress and safety use.
$40.00/ month
- Included30 minutes & 30 SMS
- BillingMonthly
- Liberian registry service–
Due today $40.00
Plan price only, for a GMDSS line that is already activated.
Order NowMonthly plan
Iridium GMDSS Monthly Value
Best for: Working vessels that also use the terminal for routine maritime calls.
$152.90/ month
- Included50 minutes & 50 SMS
- BillingMonthly
- Liberian registry serviceAvailable
Due today $152.90
Plan price only, for a GMDSS line that is already activated.
Order NowAnnual plan
Iridium GMDSS Annual Value
Best for: Fleet operators who prefer one yearly payment and a larger allowance.
$1,608.80/ year
- Included600 minutes & 600 SMS / year
- BillingAnnual
- Minutes overage$1.00 / min
- Liberian registry serviceAvailable
Due today $1,608.80
Plan price only, for a GMDSS line that is already activated.
Order NowThe GMDSS activation fee is $327.60 (one-time). Emergency calls, the free short code, customer care and call forwarding to voicemail are free of charge on every plan.
Side by side
Compare Iridium GMDSS plans
Allowance, first-order price and line fees for each plan.
| Monthly Basic | Monthly Value | Annual Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan price | $40.00 / mo | $152.90 / mo | $1,608.80 / yr |
| Included allowance | 30 minutes & 30 SMS | 50 minutes & 50 SMS | 600 minutes & 600 SMS / year |
| Minutes overage | – | – | $1.00 / min |
| Due with first activation | $367.60 | $480.50 | $1,935.60 |
| Monthly fee (no allowance) | Free | Free | Free |
| Deactivation fee | $109.22 | $109.22 | n/a |
| Early termination fee (ETF) | $262.08 | $262.08 | n/a |
| Liberian-flagged vessel service | – |
GMDSS activation fee: $327.60, one-time. Prices in US dollars.
Published rates
Iridium GMDSS airtime rates
The same usage rates apply to all three plans once the included allowance is used.
Voice calls, per minute
- Iridium to PSTN (landline / mobile)$0.90
- Iridium to Iridium$0.90
- Iridium to voicemail$0.90
- PSTN to Iridium, local number access$2.52
- PSTN to Iridium, two-stage dialing$2.23
- Iridium to other satellite networks$15.35
Free of charge
- Emergency callFree
- Free short codeFree
- Customer careFree
- Call forward to voicemailFree
Data and SMS
- Iridium to Iridium data, per MB$1.77
- Direct Internet, per MB$1.77
- RUDICS, per MB$1.20
- SMS, per message$0.12
Line fees
- GMDSS activation (one-time)$327.60
- Monthly fee (no allowance)Free
- Deactivation (monthly plans)$109.22
- Early termination (monthly plans)$262.08
Liberian-flagged vessel registry charges (Value plans only)
- Registry activation$1,208.33
- Registry deactivation$1,208.33
- Change of emergency contact, name or owner$708.33
- Change of installation details$666.67
- Service provider change$875.00
A minimum 30-day notice is required for any request to deactivate an Iridium line or service. Charges and usage continue to apply until the effective deactivation date confirmed by our support team.
How it works
Global maritime distress and safety, over Iridium
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is the international framework for distress alerting, search and rescue communications and maritime safety information at sea. Iridium is a recognized GMDSS service provider, and its network covers the entire planet, including the polar regions of Sea Area A4.
The Lars Thrane LT-3100S is the first Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal. It supplies all three satellite GMDSS services in one system, at around 25% of the cost of the current equipment requirements.
- Distress AlertSends the vessel ID, status and position to a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) at the press of a button.
- Maritime Safety InformationNavigational, meteorological and safety broadcasts delivered through Iridium SafetyCast.
- Safety VoiceHigh-priority calling for hydrographic reporting and medical assistance.
- Distress alert relayRelay a distress alert on behalf of another vessel in trouble.
- Shore-to-ship distress callsRCCs can call the vessel directly during search and rescue.
- Everyday maritime calls & messagesStandard voice, SMS and maritime assistance on the same terminal.
Compatible hardware
Iridium GMDSS terminals
Need the equipment as well as the airtime? We supply, configure and support both systems.
Simple ordering
How to order an Iridium GMDSS plan
Choose a plan
Monthly Basic, Monthly Value or Annual Value, depending on your usage and flag state.
Select terminal status
Already activated, or first activation with the one-time GMDSS activation fee.
Accept and pay
Accept the Airtime Service Agreement and complete your order on our secure checkout.
Stay compliant
Our team activates the line and helps with registration details for your vessel.
Use cases
Who uses Iridium GMDSS?
Commercial shipping
Cargo vessels and tankers on ocean routes.
Polar and high-latitude voyages
GMDSS coverage in Sea Area A4.
Fishing fleets
Distress alerting far beyond coastal radio range.
Offshore and workboats
Supply, survey and support vessels.
Liberian-flagged vessels
Registry services on the Value plans.
Superyachts
Safety communications with everyday calling.
FAQ
Iridium GMDSS questions
Straight answers about plans, rates, coverage and registry fees.
We help you choose the right GMDSS plan and activate your terminal.
- Worldwide+1 (954) 459-3002
- USA office+1 (954) 459-3000
- E-mailsupport@globalsatellite.us
What is an Iridium GMDSS plan?
An Iridium GMDSS plan is the airtime subscription for an Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal such as the Lars Thrane LT-3100S. It keeps the terminal registered for distress alerting, maritime safety information and safety voice, and includes a voice and SMS allowance for everyday calls.
How much does Iridium GMDSS airtime cost?
Global Satellite offers three plans: Monthly Basic at $40.00 per month with 30 minutes and 30 SMS, Monthly Value at $152.90 per month with 50 minutes and 50 SMS, and Annual Value at $1,608.80 per year with 600 minutes and 600 SMS. The one-time GMDSS activation fee is $327.60.
Are distress and emergency calls charged?
No. Emergency calls, the free short code, customer care and call forwarding to voicemail are free of charge on every Iridium GMDSS plan.
Which terminals work with these plans?
These plans are for Iridium Connected GMDSS terminals, including the Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS system and the Intellian C700 GMDSS system. Contact us if you are unsure whether your equipment is compatible.
Does Iridium GMDSS cover Sea Area A4?
Yes. The Iridium network covers the entire globe, including the polar regions, so Iridium GMDSS service is available in Sea Areas A1 to A4.
What are the call and data rates after the allowance?
Calls from Iridium to landlines and mobiles cost $0.90 per minute, Iridium to Iridium $0.90, and calls to other satellite networks $15.35. Data costs $1.77 per MB (Iridium to Iridium and Direct Internet) or $1.20 per MB over RUDICS. SMS cost $0.12 each. On the Annual Value plan, minutes overage is $1.00 per minute.
My vessel is Liberian-flagged. Which plan do I need?
Liberian-flagged vessel registry services are available on the Monthly Value and Annual Value plans. Registry activation and deactivation are $1,208.33 each, a change of emergency contact, name or owner is $708.33, a change of installation details is $666.67, and a service provider change is $875.00.
How do I cancel an Iridium GMDSS line?
A minimum 30-day notice is required to deactivate an Iridium line. On the monthly plans, the deactivation fee is $109.22 and the early termination fee is $262.08. These fees do not apply to the Annual Value plan.
Keep your vessel connected and compliant
Order your Iridium GMDSS plan online, or call our team for help with activation and registration.
- Worldwide+1 (954) 459-3002
- USA office+1 (954) 459-3000
