Monday, April 25, 2011

Buying Satellite Phone

By Barry Colletti


Quick Guide: Buying the Right Satellite Phone

We have satellite phones and the normal mobile phones. The difference is that satellite phones get its connection from the satellites orbiting up in the sky while on the other hand; mobile phones get its connection from terrestrial cell locations. Looking on its system design, a satellite phone is capable of covering the whole world or a specific region that is mapped to it. People would prefer using handy satellite phones to some regions in the world that cannot find coverage and signal to the ordinary mobile phones. Wherever you are calling from, or wherever you may be calling to, satellite phones get its connectivity directly from the satellites orbiting the earth. These kinds of phones are sometimes considered as the terminal and have varied weight and size. To make it more practical to carry around, recent satellite phones have been made as close as possible to look like a mobile phone. The original satellite phone however has an external antenna that is mostly retractable. This external antenna contributes to the clear reception of the phone making communication better and clearer.

A little information about these phones

Satellites in the sky are used to connect satellite phones with other means of communication like other satellite phones, landlines, and mobile phones. It?s a different satellite with the one used in land based stations that mobile phones use. Some areas that cannot provide signals to mobile phones and landlines, satellite phones can b used. It is especially useful in emergency cases for communication when landlines and mobile phones fail to communicate due to congestion.

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 can have a good coverage also except for the two poles with its 3 satellites up in the sky. The difference between Iridium and Inmarsat is that Iridium provides greater coverage while Inmarsat can be more price wise. The Isatphone Pro which is their latest phone has a very neat design and has voice calls and can send SMS text messaging. This phone is data capable but this feature is not yet available. This phone also has a Bluetooth app that can allow extra movement while you operate the phone.

? Thuraya- a provider that has 2 satellites for Northern Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Its latest phone is colored and named it Thuraya XT. It can also voice call, send SMS text messages, with data services, and is affordable.

Once you purchase a satellite phone, you will need a sim card with your own personal satellite number in order to access the network and make use of your satellite phones. A provider has its own different cost for airtime compared to other providers. Today, prepaid is the most popularly used. The Iridium has an additional African package that is cheaper compared to its normal Standard package. Some may ask why and it?s quite easy to explain. The African package is exclusive only inside Africa and Indian Ocean Islands unlike Standard package that can be used anywhere. Some accessories are included in the phone such as wall and car chargers and data cables. Solar chargers and docking stations are also some accessories but are optional to be included.

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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