If you’re headed to Sochi, it’s important to note new regulations that require non-Russian visitors to register with the Russian government all satellite phone SIMs.

According to a recent article, if you are a visitor to Russia, your satellite phone or terminal must be registered through iridium-russia.com as a visiting SIM card.  Once registered, the SIM card may be used in Russian territory for a period of 6 months.  If you expect to return a second time during that 6 month period, you do not need to re-register.  If you return again after the 6 month period has expired, you must re-register for another 6 month period.  The article notes that registering “can be thought of as getting a ‘VISA’ for your satellite phone.”

“Iridium satellite phones are International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approved, and Russia is an ITU member country. However they still require registration to be used in Russia,” noted Andy Cool of Explorer Satellite Communications, Inc.

To register your SAT phone SIM, go to https://www.iridium-russia.com/.