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Step 7: GO exec optimize and prevent bill shock/data overages
Step 7: GO exec optimize and prevent bill shock/data overages
Matt Crockett avatar
Written by Matt Crockett
Updated over 3 weeks ago

GO! exec Unlimited Plan

The simplest way to use the GO exec without limits and prevent bill shock from data overages is to select the GO exec Unlimited Plan when activating your GO exec SIM card. This plan provides unlimited data, subject to Iridium's fair use policy. You can read more about the GO! exec Unlimited Plan or change to the Unlimited Plan now.

If you have subscribed to the GO exec Unlimited plan for worry-free data usage, you can read more about how to prepare your phone to use apps and our best practice guide for app use here.

Please read below, as this article has other important information about how your plan works to avoid voice overages and optimize your GO exec with PredictWind apps, services and the DataHub.

PredictWind Plan

The PredictWind plan includes unlimited PredictWind data* so you can use your essential PredictWind apps and services without data overages. To use other apps, please buy and use AnyApp data. Please read below for other important information.

For subscribers to the GO! exec 5 & GO! exec 25 plan, it is essential to read on.

Getting started in the first month

Your pro-rated voice and data allowance

The plan cost and allowances allocated in your first month are pro-rated based on your activation date. This means your first invoice is usually only for a part month, and you will not be billed for the full monthly plan. Accordingly, a pro-rated number of voice minutes and data MB are available for you to use before you incur any overage charges.

Important Note: The billing cycle for the GO exec is from the 17th of the month 00:00 GMT to the 16th of the following month at 23:59 GMT.

Please see the table below for examples of how the pro-rated allowances would apply if you activated the SIM card on the GO exec 25MB plan in June. GO exec Unlimited & PredictWind plan customers would receive double these minutes.

June Activation Date

Next Billing Cycle Start

Voice Mins

Data mb

1st

16th June

12

12.5

10th

16th June

5

5

17th

16th July

25

25

24th

16th July

18

18.3

PredictWind Alerts and Cutoff Limits

As satellite voice and data are more expensive than cellular, it is important to monitor your usage. Avoid bill shock with PredictWind's alerts and cutoff limits, which are enabled by default and configurable in the Satellite Portal, including:

  • 80% & 100% monthly allowance usage alerts

  • Daily limit alerts

  • Cut off limits for monthly voice and data overage

In addition, it is easy to view your usage on our Satellite Portal, and the Offshore App displays the estimated data usage required before each weather download.

PredictWind Alerts and Cutoff Settings

To view your PredictWind Data Manager settings:

  • Open the Alerts & Cutoff page in the Satellite portal.

  • Click the Iridium GO! exec button.

  • You will receive email alerts at 80% and 100% of your plan allowance by default.

  • GO exec 25 & 5 subscribers receive a data alert when usage exceeds the Daily limit.

  • By default, these alerts are sent to your satellite account email address and all PredictMail accounts you set up.

  • The default Alert Settings are:

    • Daily Limit: 5MB (GO exec 5 & 25 plan subscribers only)

    • Cutoff Limit - Voice Minutes: 200 minutes

    • Cutoff Limit - MB: 100MB

Important Recommendation - Default Alert and Cutoff Settings

PredictWind recommends using the default settings as they are most suitable and safest for customers. The defaults have been set carefully based on actual customer usage and feedback, with consideration for your safety while offshore.

Once cut off, your GO exec will not work, and you cannot connect using the GO exec to adjust these Satellite Account settings using your web browser. To reconnect before you reach your next port, you must use another means of communication to ask for help updating your satellite plan settings.

GO exec Firewall profiles

Important Note - Default All Open Web/App Profile

The GO exec device and GO exec App default to the All Open Web/App Profile. You can see the current Web/App profile selected by tapping the globe Internet icon on the GO exec touchscreen or in the GO exec App when your mobile is connected to the GO exec Wi-Fi.

The Active Web/App Profile is the firewall setting the GO exec applies when you connect it to the Internet. When connected, the All Open Web/App Profile allows all devices connected to the GO exec via Wi-Fi or Ethernet full access to the Internet. Changing the Web/App Profile is critical to avoid wasting bandwidth or avoiding bill shock (GO exec 5/25 subscribers).

Recommendation - Set the Web/App Profile to All Blocked

As a default, while the device is on standby, we recommend setting the GO exec to the App/Web profile All Blocked.

GO exec 5 & 25 subscribers - If you connect using other profiles, you will likely experience bill shock. Please read GO exec Web/App Profiles for data sessions for more information about using other Web/App profiles on your plan.

To check your Web/App Profile and set it to All Blocked:

  • Connect your mobile device to the GO exec Wi-Fi and open the GO exec App.

  • Tap on the White Globe Internet icon in the App menu bar.

  • Tap Web/App Profile.

  • Swipe to the end of the list that appears and tap All Blocked.

PredictWind Apps and the DataHub automatically connect through the GO exec using the All Blocked profile. They open only the firewall ports they need to connect and transfer your data, e.g., GRIB downloads, GPS tracking updates, or sending/receiving PredictMail emails.

Use PredictWind Apps and Services with the DataHub to optimize your GO exec

The GO exec offers internet speeds of up to 88kbit/s download and 22kbit/s upload. At over 40x faster than the Iridium GO, it opens up many more possibilities, but it's not the same speed as a cellular, high-speed Wi-Fi or a Starlink connection.

PredictWind provides apps and services optimized for low-data and low-power use, so you are always connected to weather and essential communications. These are:

  1. PredictWind Offshore App

  2. PredictChat - SMS and WhatsApp through the GO exec

1 - Offshore App

In the Offshore App, when you set the Download Method to Iridium GO! exec and tap to Download, if connected to the GO exec via Iridium or DataHub Wi-Fi, the App automatically opens the Iridium GO exec firewall to download only the weather data you have chosen. This App compresses all weather data, so it is by far the most efficient way to download data.

For more information about downloading GRIBs and weather routes via the Offshore App please review Step 5 How to use the PredictWind Offshore App.

2 - The DataHub Firewall

The DataHub simplifies internet use on your boat by serving as the primary Wi-Fi router and firewall to manage the GO exec and other internet communication devices aboard, e.g., cellular or Starlink. The DataHub blocks unwanted traffic and ensures your devices always use the best connection available. Whether coastal or offshore, with Starlink/cellular on or off, the GO exec and DataHub will connect periodically to update your GPS tracking and AI polars.

GO! exec Unlimited & PredictWind Plans - the DataHub also allows you to add unlimited PredictMail and PredictChat, which gives you a simple way to keep essential emails and messages flowing. This is automated for you, saving you time! Enabling the DataHub Firewall and pooling GPS Tracking & PredictMail/PredictChat message updates to route through the GO exec is part of the DataHub setup process.

3 - PredictMail

The PredictMail service is designed for the Iridium GO exec installed with a DataHub. Using PredictMail, you can use any compatible email app, which will use a fraction of the data compared to regular email services such as Gmail, Apple Mail, or Outlook.

PredictMail and the DataHub act together to collate, compress and filter your email when offshore using your boat’s satellite connection. They allow you to transition seamlessly from Wi-Fi or cellular data to offshore with your phone, tablet or laptop. Your email will continue from in-town to offshore whilst being automatically compressed to save your satellite bandwidth and data allowance when you need it.

GO! exec Unlimited & PredictWind Plans - Regular email Apps such as Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail may work for small mailboxes and volumes with Unlimited or AnyApp data. However, PredictMail offers the most efficient and best experience for email offshore with the GO exec; it is essential to get the best value email from your plan.

GO! exec 5 and 25 plans - Regular email will quickly use your data allowance and is not recommended. On average, each email on a regular email client will use 0.2MB and may cost up to US$1.

Setting up PredictMail is included in step 3 of the DataHub setup guide.

4 - PredictChat

PredictChat is a free add-on to PredictMail that allows you to send SMS and WhatsApp text messages to your friends and family via the DataHub and PredictMail. PredictChat complements the GO exec, adding messaging capability without using the GO exec's Web/App profiles.

PredictChat is ideal for all customers with PredictMail who have a GO exec and a DataHub. It is an excellent reason to buy PredictMail if you have not already done so. You can read more here about how to setup and use PredictChat.

Move on to Step 8

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