Thousands of would-be deaths will soon be saved with Beam Communications (ASX: BCC) today launching presales of their satellite SOS messaging device, ZOLEO. 

The device will be available for purchase online via SatPhoneShop.com which is wholly owned by Beam, as well as global online sales channels including Ebay and Amazon from 18 December. Customers wishing to inspect a ZOLEO prior to purchase will be able to do so through a select brick-and-mortar store network. 

“It’s taken us less than two years to design and launch an innovative product like ZOLEO, and that’s a testament to the expertise we’ve developed over almost 20 years in designing communication equipment for the world’s largest satellite operators,” said Beam Managing Director, Michael Capocchi. 

“The appeal of ZOLEO is larger than what we are initially targeting. The next step for us will be to develop an end-to-end enterprise solution that will appeal to industries like mining and utilities.” 

Being aimed at people living in remote locations with limited mobile coverage and individuals that travel in and out of coverage for work and leisure, a ZOLEO device will retail from $345 whilst low-cost monthly access plans start from $32 per month. 

Beyond the emergency SOS button, the device can also be connected to a messenger and email app for extended communication with the ZOLEO device having 200 hours of battery life. 

According to the Company, more than 70% of the earth’s surface is without mobile coverage which presents as a major market opportunity for ZOLEO and its GPS locating capabilities. 

ZOLEO will initially be available in the Australian and North American markets with presales of the device to commence shipping by mid-January 2020. It will then be rolled out into other regions. 

The launch of presales continues an upward trajectory of revenue for Beam Communications which had its first NPAT positive year in FY19 when reporting $339k NPAT from $18.52m of sales revenue.