ZOLEO announces seamless global messaging solution for smartphones
Feb 27, 2020
Last month, Canadian based ZOLEO announced the launch the world’s first truly seamless global messaging and personal safety solution for smartphone users who venture beyond mobile coverage. The flagship product from a joint venture between Beam Communications Pty Ltd. and Roadpost Inc., ZOLEO is the first consumer-focused messaging solution of its kind based on Iridium® Short Burst Data® (SBD®), cellular and Wi-Fi standards.
The compact ZOLEO device connects via Bluetooth with a free app on the user’s Android or Apple smartphone/tablet, to provide a uniquely seamless global messaging experience that follows them in and out of mobile coverage. Personal safety features like check-in, hyper-local weather forecasts, and 24/7 worldwide SOS alerting offer extra peace of mind when venturing off-the-grid. Users also receive a dedicated SMS number that can be shared with contacts that they want to be accessible to.
How ZOLEO works
ZOLEO gives rise to new two-way messaging capabilities not currently offered by other satellite communicators, which include:
• A dedicated SMS number and email address that makes it easy for contacts to reach you, as opposed to having to wait for a message from you to which they can reply.
• A familiar, non-technical messaging experience for smartphone users.
• An app that seamlessly transitions between Wi-Fi, cellular and SBD over the Iridium satellite network, so messages are delivered even if the user isn’t currently connected to the ZOLEO device.
• Long messages of 950 characters or more, as opposed the 160-character text/SMS message limit associated with other satellite messaging devices.
SOS alerting and check-in can be used via the mobile app or directly through built-in buttons on the device. When triggered, the user’s SOS alert and GPS coordinates are transmitted to GEOS, the professional 24/7 emergency monitoring and dispatch service that is included with their monthly ZOLEO service. SOS messages are transmitted via the Iridium network, and app users can exchange updates with GEOS throughout their emergency. To access the Iridium satellite network, the ZOLEO device requires a monthly airtime subscription. For more details visit zoleo.com/plans.
The ZOLEO satellite communicator is compact, lightweight and provides over 200 hours of battery life. It is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C and is shock-resistant, dust-resistant, and features superior (IP68) water resistance.
TZOLEO aims to be the value leader in its category with an MSRP of US $199, and monthly satellite messaging plans ranging from US $20 to $50 for plan with unlimited usage. All ZOLEO plans include the option to suspend service temporarily when not in use. To learn more visit www.zoleo.com.
Available now in several Canadian provinces and online, the ZOLEO satellite communicator can be purchased from authorized retailers in Canada, the United States, and Australia, with other regions to follow.
Formed in 2018 and headquartered in Toronto, ZOLEO Inc. is a joint venture between Beam Communication Pty. Ltd. and Roadpost Inc. that is pioneering the development of innovative lower cost, consumer-oriented global messaging solutions, including innovative wireless devices and apps based on Iridium short burst data (SBD), cellular and Wi-Fi standards.
