Iridium
Direct Internet

Direct Internet is a data service that allows a subscriber with a Windows-based computer to access the internet over the Iridium network using an optimised circuit-switched data channel at the Iridium gateway.

This service utilises transparent compression, resulting in effective throughput data rates higher than the 2.4kbps service that Iridium's data service operates at.  The actual throughput will depend on the content being transferred and the protocol used.

If the destination computer is connected to the internet and has Internet Protocol (IP) address, then the Iridium Direct Internet Service is usually the best option for remote users using a standard Windows-based operating system.

Direct Internet uses "on-the-fly" data compression to increase the effective data throughput.  The compression ratio depends on the type of data being sent or received; text is highly compressible whereas JPEG (.jpg) graphics files are not compressible. Although the underlying channel rate is 2,400 bits per second (bps), the effective throughput can reach 10,000bps.

Direct Internet connections can only be originated from an Iridium Subscriber Unit (ISU).  Connections to an ISU cannot be originated from the internet.

Supported Microsoft Windows versions include: Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, Me, 2000, and XP.

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