March 1, 2019
Every year, mushers and sled dogs from around the world gather in Anchorage, Alaska to compete in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Stretching across the vast Alaskan wilderness, sled dog teams depart Anchorage (Willow) for and 8-15 day race to Nome, covering almost 1,000 miles by the end of the race. Facing bitter cold, rough tundra and wooded landscapes, hills, mountain passes, and across rivers, mushers and their canines face steep competition in this popular Alaskan sport.
As with any sporting competition, safety is at the core of the Iditarod race coordinators’ priority. And with the teams traveling to where there is largely no terrestrial communication methods, a different type of communication is needed. Enter the satellite phone, or satphone for short. Untethered by phone lines or cell towers, satellite phones–specifically for this application, Iridium satellite phones–rely on a low-earth orbit constellation of satellites in constant motion high overhead to connect mushers and race coordinators with civilization.
In the event of an emergency with a racer, the satellite phone simply needs to be powered on, acquire signal, and within a few short seconds, a phone call to the normal switched telephone network can be made, quite literally from anywhere on the planet. This provides unparalleled safety implications for the racers, as well as peace-of-mind for the families of those who participate in the race.
Satphones not only provide protection for human safety, but also for their canine team members as well. While the dogs are well-trained, well-cared for, and loved by their mushers, accidents do happen with the dogs, and the satellite phone stands ready and waiting to assist with four-legged emergencies as well as their two-legged counterparts. Outfitter Satellite has provided satphones for the Iditarod Trail Committee for the past three years, and is proud to sponsor the safety and well being of the dog sled human and animal competitors.
But voice communication is not the only needs satisfied by satellite devices. The IDC utilizes the Iridium GO! device, setup at checkpoints and stops along the trail, to send emails ofinformation and race statics back to home-base. The GO! pairs with a smart device or a computer to provide low-speed satellite data and email in even the most remote of locations.
A satellite phone or GO! device enable Iditarod officials and participants to remain connected all over the state of Alaska. Outfitter Satellite, a family-owned, Tennessee company with almost 2 decades of experience providing emergency and far-reaching satellite communication options, is thrilled to be a part of the IDC’s commitment to the safety of its participants.
About Outfitter Satellite
Outfitter Satellite is a family-owned Tennessee company with almost 2 decades of experience providing satellite phones to individuals and organizations traveling in remote areas without conventional communication services. The Iditarod Trail Committee uses Iridium satellite phones to maintain up-to-the-minute status at all checkpoints to assure the safety of human and canine race participants
