8. COMPANY COMMUNICATIONS
8.1 Satcom
SATCOM is typically available south of 81N prior to passing over or abeam the North Pole, and will be inoperative until approximately 80N on the Russian side of the North Pole due to lack of satellite coverage. Crew are to be in possession of all SATCOM numbers and telephone numbers of Airindia Operations offices for phone patch wherever these are available.The dispatcher would provide a copy of the same during preflight briefing.
Primary company communications in these areas are via ACARS data link or SATCOM VOICE. It is worth noting that SATCOM uses the ADIRU for stabilization, steering, and position data for its transmitting unit. Should you divert and wish to use SATCOM on the ground, the ADIRU must be aligned in order for SATCOM to function.

8.2 Flight Following
Flight following by dispatch on this particular route is a difficult task, accentuated by the lack of SATCOM coverage in the vicinity of the North Pole, and the fact that Russia, and the Central Asian Republics do not forward position reports.