Iridium Satellite LLC of Bethesda, Md., said Aug. 24 that the Newfoundland and Labrador government is establishing and Iridium-based satellite phone service for motorists on the Trans-Labrador Highway.

Under the program, local hotel operators will offer motorists traveling the remote highway Iridium 9555 satellite phones pre-programmed to direct calls to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which will coordinate necessary emergency response directly or through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Trans-Labrador Highway stretches more than 1,500 kilometers across a remote region of northeastern Canada.

The loaner phones, supplied by Roadpost of Mississauga, Ontario, through its dealer Newfound Mobility solutions, will replace previous communications services from other providers, Iridium said in a press release.