Quick Guide: Buying the Right Satellite Phone
The unique thing about satellite phones is that it gets its connection from the satellites orbiting the earth making the coverage even wider compared to standard mobile phones that gets its connection from terrestrial cell locations. The coverage of a satellite phone may be worldwide or it may be based on wherever region it is mapped to cover and connect. Most people would choose satellite phones over regular ones especially now that it is made handy and some regions do not recognize mobile phones and landlines so these means of communication cannot connect. This is how a satellite phone works, wherever you may be calling and to wherever you may be calling to, the phone will always directly get connection from the satellite orbiting the earth. Because of its being flexible, sometimes it is referred to as terminal. It comes in a lot of weight and size. Some latest released satellite phones are made to look closely like a standard mobile phone so that it will be easier to handle. But these phones more likely come with an external antenna thus making the phone reception clearer. This antenna is most of the time retractable.
A little information about these phones
From the word itself, satellite phones utilize satellites to connect with other satellite phones, landlines, and mobile phones. Land based stations used by mobile phones is not the same with what is used by the satellite phones. Wherever place you are and mobile phones and landlines have no signal, then these satellite phones are best used. These satellite phones are very useful in emergency situations especially when landlines and mobile phones cannot function due to a jammed signal.
We have 3 service providers like the role of a Vodacom, Cell C, and MTN. Each provider has its own phones and connectivity.
? Iridium- a provider of satellite phones that has 66 satellites in orbit. It provides great coverage all over the whole earth. The phones that they have are being used by the US army and many other military and police worldwide in the battlefields. A very durable and rugged phone they recently presented is called the Iridium 9555. Some features are voice calling, SMS text messages, and data at dial up speeds that means faster downloading of information like your emails. ? Inmarsat- it has 3 satellites providing good coverage except for the two poles. The Iridium may have a wider coverage but the Inmarsat is more affordable. They also have a latest phone called Isatphone Pro. It can provide voice and SMS text messaging and has a very neat design. Although it is data capable, it is not yet made available. It has Bluetooth app that allows adjustability while operating the phone.
? Thuraya- it has 2 satellites that provide coverage exclusively for Northern Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Its latest phone named Thuraya XT is colored and provides voice calls, SMS text messaging, data services and has reasonable price.
A sim card is also needed in order to use and access the different providers of this satellite phones. This will provide you with your personal satellite phone number. The cost of airtime is different with each provider. Prepaid is the most popular being used by all providers. A cheaper African package is offered by Iridium in addition to their normal Standard package. It is way cheaper due to the coverage it has which is exclusive only in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands unlike Standard package that can cover anywhere. Wall and car chargers and data cables are some accessories included in the phone. Additional accessories like solar chargers and docking stations are only optional.
To make a choice now is hopefully easier for you. 1) Coverage- you should figure out as to where you will be using the phone. Iridium is best for a well coverage phone and next is Isatphone Pro 2. 2) Mission critical- Iridium is best or you can have Isatphone Pro 3 for a phone that needs a signal all the time. 4) Price- Isatphone Pro is perfect for a satellite phone that goes within your budget. 5) Need data- for a data capable, either Iridium or Thuraya is an excellent choice. 6) Need GPS- Isatphone Pro and Thuraya are best choices when GPS is a must need for you. 7) Phone- you can have a satellite phone that looks like a normal mobile phone. Isatphone Pro or Thuraya are the phones that most likely look like one. And if you have a thing for rugged-looking and durable phone, Iridium is best to choose.
The unique thing about satellite phones is that it gets its connection from the satellites orbiting the earth making the coverage even wider compared to standard mobile phones that gets its connection from terrestrial cell locations. The coverage of a satellite phone may be worldwide or it may be based on wherever region it is mapped to cover and connect. Most people would choose satellite phones over regular ones especially now that it is made handy and some regions do not recognize mobile phones and landlines so these means of communication cannot connect. This is how a satellite phone works, wherever you may be calling and to wherever you may be calling to, the phone will always directly get connection from the satellite orbiting the earth. Because of its being flexible, sometimes it is referred to as terminal. It comes in a lot of weight and size. Some latest released satellite phones are made to look closely like a standard mobile phone so that it will be easier to handle. But these phones more likely come with an external antenna thus making the phone reception clearer. This antenna is most of the time retractable.
A little information about these phones
From the word itself, satellite phones utilize satellites to connect with other satellite phones, landlines, and mobile phones. Land based stations used by mobile phones is not the same with what is used by the satellite phones. Wherever place you are and mobile phones and landlines have no signal, then these satellite phones are best used. These satellite phones are very useful in emergency situations especially when landlines and mobile phones cannot function due to a jammed signal.
We have 3 service providers like the role of a Vodacom, Cell C, and MTN. Each provider has its own phones and connectivity.
? Iridium- a provider of satellite phones that has 66 satellites in orbit. It provides great coverage all over the whole earth. The phones that they have are being used by the US army and many other military and police worldwide in the battlefields. A very durable and rugged phone they recently presented is called the Iridium 9555. Some features are voice calling, SMS text messages, and data at dial up speeds that means faster downloading of information like your emails. ? Inmarsat- it has 3 satellites providing good coverage except for the two poles. The Iridium may have a wider coverage but the Inmarsat is more affordable. They also have a latest phone called Isatphone Pro. It can provide voice and SMS text messaging and has a very neat design. Although it is data capable, it is not yet made available. It has Bluetooth app that allows adjustability while operating the phone.
? Thuraya- it has 2 satellites that provide coverage exclusively for Northern Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Its latest phone named Thuraya XT is colored and provides voice calls, SMS text messaging, data services and has reasonable price.
A sim card is also needed in order to use and access the different providers of this satellite phones. This will provide you with your personal satellite phone number. The cost of airtime is different with each provider. Prepaid is the most popular being used by all providers. A cheaper African package is offered by Iridium in addition to their normal Standard package. It is way cheaper due to the coverage it has which is exclusive only in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands unlike Standard package that can cover anywhere. Wall and car chargers and data cables are some accessories included in the phone. Additional accessories like solar chargers and docking stations are only optional.
To make a choice now is hopefully easier for you. 1) Coverage- you should figure out as to where you will be using the phone. Iridium is best for a well coverage phone and next is Isatphone Pro 2. 2) Mission critical- Iridium is best or you can have Isatphone Pro 3 for a phone that needs a signal all the time. 4) Price- Isatphone Pro is perfect for a satellite phone that goes within your budget. 5) Need data- for a data capable, either Iridium or Thuraya is an excellent choice. 6) Need GPS- Isatphone Pro and Thuraya are best choices when GPS is a must need for you. 7) Phone- you can have a satellite phone that looks like a normal mobile phone. Isatphone Pro or Thuraya are the phones that most likely look like one. And if you have a thing for rugged-looking and durable phone, Iridium is best to choose.
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