A Satellite Phone keeps you connected wherever you go. No matter what your communication needs may be, Here are some important things to think about before you buy or rent a satellite phone – cost, coverage, features, and plans. No matter where you are, with a satellite phone you will never be incommunicado. And it is that since their invention, these devices have been responsible for saving lives and providing communication in critical situations or simply when terrestrial networks have failed. Satellite phones boldly go where cell phones can’t. They let you make phone calls from almost anywhere because their primary infrastructure is literally out of this world. Satellite phones don’t rely on a terrestrial cell phone network. Instead, they beam their data directly to and from satellites orbiting Earth. But which satellite phone is right for you? Just choose here.
Here are some significant things to think about before you buy. What’s your budget? Are you planning to buy or rent a satellite phone? American Satellite has a wide range of pre-paid, monthly, and annual plans suitable for almost every need.
What is a Satellite Phone?
Satellite phones (sat phone, terminal, satellite cell phone) are mobile communication devices with standard phone capabilities that connect to stationary or orbiting satellites overhead. Compared to a cell phone, sat phones are bigger and heavier, and functionality is typically limited to voice calls and text messaging. They don’t offer smart high-end UX and front-end interface features like your smartphone, but technology is advancing and so is the design of satellite phones. Essentially, sat phones are designed to connect to a satellite (and bypass cellular networks) for the sole purpose of making a call or sending a short text-based message when it’s impossible to use a cell phone.
Let’s start with basic terrestrial technology – cell phones. A cell phone needs to connect to physical cellular towers to make calls, send texts, or access internet services on mobile data. And, as most of us have experienced at one time or another, various elements can impact the signal strength of a cellular connection, specifically the distance from a cell tower. Enter the satellite phone. However, satellite phones are not immune to outages albeit infrequent but natural phenomena such as solar flares can disrupt satellite communications. Also, some countries have a ban on satellite phone usage within their borders so it’s highly recommended to first check with the country you’re visiting.
How does a satellite phone work?
A satellite phone uses satellites orbiting above the earth instead of ground-based cellular towers allowing users to make phone calls and send text messages where cellular networks don’t exist. Satellite phones offer call and SMS text messaging communication services and low-bandwidth internet access is supported through most systems. They do not route calls through land-based cellular towers like traditional mobile phones; rather, they transmit data through satellites orbiting the planet. This network of satellites is either “fixed above the Equator (geostationary), or in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles above the earth.”
Satellite phones are therefore not reliant on cell towers that can be damaged by natural disasters or maybe non-existent in remote locations. Due to the satellite architecture, these phones can essentially work anywhere in the world, greatly assisting organizations operating in locations that lack a reliable communications infrastructure. Minutes can be prepaid or bought via monthly airtime contract, and are often categorized as less expensive than foreign roaming charges on a typical cellular network. Depending on the architecture of a particular system, coverage may include the entire Earth or only specific regions.
Satellite phones are designed to work only with a clear of the sky. The roof of a vehicle is typically enough to interfere with a satellite signal. In order to be able to use a satellite phone in a vehicle, you will typically need a docking station for the sat phone and an antenna. The docking station or dock is where the satellite phone sits inside the vehicle and, depending on the model, can offer a plethora of features including hands-free, Bluetooth, panic button, GPS tracking, and more. An antenna is installed outside the vehicle and is connected to the docking station by an antenna cable. Depending on the antenna, the cable may be included or you might also need an antenna cable.
There are four satellite phone network providers, Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar, and Thuraya.
Iridium
A fleet of 66 low-earth orbits (LEO) satellites provide military grade voice and data communications solutions with complete global coverage of the earth including polar regions. Iridium is the most reliable and is the only network to cover all 7 continents.
Inmarsat
The world’s leading mobile satellite operator. Its constellation of ten satellites located in geostationary orbit enables the delivery of voice and high-speed data services and mobile IP broadband to almost anywhere on the planet. Inmarsat is a British company that offers excellent coverage along the world’s sea lanes.
Thuraya
Through its two geostationary satellites, Thuraya provides coverage of more than 140 countries in Europe and large parts of Africa and Asia for handheld voice and mobile IP broadband service. Thuraya is an innovative company based in the UAE and is a popular choice for Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Sadly, coverage does not extend to the Americas.
Buying a Satellite Phone
Satellite phones are proprietary, made for a particular network, and cannot be switched to other networks. The three main points to look at when buying a satellite phone is coverage, cost, and functionality.
- In general, satellite phone communications average $1.50 per minute, and there are different satellite phone plans available that cover calls and support, but for occasional or emergency contact, the cost is irrelevant. The device can range anywhere from $800 to $2,000 with Iridium at the higher end and Thuraya at the lower cost range.
- The Iridium satellite constellation gets higher reviews for network and coverage and you pay a bit more for that, where Inmarsat sits somewhere in the middle with reasonable quality, coverage, and cost. Consider Thuraya as a low-cost option if you are going near their two satellite locations.
- Certain features are important to different people and for different situations. Like Iridium offers great SOS features integrated with GEOS, while Inmarsat and Thuraya allow you to share your live location with a nominated contact.
Whichever satellite phone appeals to your pocket and your specific need, if you’re planning on visiting a remote area with minimal or no cell coverage, or you need an emergency backup communications device, then a Satellite Phone can prove to be extremely useful, if not lifesaving.