What is it all about? 

Introduction

The operation of a satellite phone is relatively similar to that of a cellular phone. The exception being that cellular phones bounce calls from a cellular tower to an existing phone grid. Satellite phones use a series of satellites in orbit.

Making the call

The caller enters the number she or he wishes to dial and presses the send key. The phone proceeds to find the nearest orbiting satellite and sends the call information to it.

From space to Earth again (and again, maybe)

The satellite relays the call to the nearest ground receiver, known as a gateway. This gateway attempts to patch the call through. If a call to Australia originates in Europe, the gateway will not be able to patch the call through the existing phone network. The gateway will beam the call to the nearest satellite, which will continue passing the call along until it reaches one that can link the receiver. Depending on the location of the caller and receiver, this may happen a number of times.

From space to Earth, the final time

 The call comes from the satellite and is received by receiver's network. The call's format has to be converted so that it may be received on a standard phone or cellular phone. Once the conversion is made and the connection established, the call is connected.

How to Select a Satellite Phone ?

Satellite phones use a signal that is bounced off orbiting satellites, unlike cell phones that rely on land based cell phone towers. Because of this, satellite phones can be an excellent communication device for global travelers; those that often work in isolated areas; or those that enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or climbing in remote areas. Here are a few tips to consider when selecting a satellite phones.

Step 1

Equipment: Assess your equipment needs. When comparing them to cell phones, satellite phones are larger, heavier, more rugged and more expensive in general. Will you need to store phone numbers? Do you need a phone to be water/dust/shock resistant? Will you be using it to transfer data or fax? Equipment and accessories can vary dramatically, so deciding what your requirements are before you search is best.

Step 2

Location: Many people opt to have a satellite phone on hand for emergencies only, mainly because the signal is less likely to be compromised than a land line or cell phone in a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Others may need a satellite phone for isolated construction areas or traveling internationally to areas that are known to have weak cell signals.

Step 3

Pricing: Pricing includes the purchase of equipment as well as a plans for usage. You can purchase minutes on a monthly or as-needed basis. 

Satellite phones we offer: Iridium and Thuraya.

How to Use a Satellite Phone?

Step 1

There are two satellite phone manufactures whom products we offer in our shop. Before you buy a phone fully evaluate why you need one. Phones are company specific. You cannot use one companies phone with any other satellite service so chose wisely for your needs. Some companies cover more areas than others. Some are limited in coverage. The poles are the only region not covered at all. Iridium satellite network provide a global coverage and Thuraya geosynchronous satellites provide coverage in Europe, better parts of Africa and Asia and in Australia . A few countries, like Burma, make the possession of satellite phones illegal as they cannot censor or wiretap them easily. Do your homework before you lock into a company. 

Step 2 

If you need a satellite phone be aware there may be a slight delay, but that said you cannot use your cell phone in the areas you need a satellite phone in anyway. After Hurricane Katrina many cell phones did not work nor did many land lines. None of the satellite phone companies had any loss of service. They are a good emergency or disaster communication device. 

Step 3

Cost is between $550 and $1,300 for most satellite phones. Air time is about $1.80 a minute. Plans vary and packages are available. Texting and data transfer are possible and differ from plan to plan and between companies. Again evaluate your needs and see what companies fit your use.  

Step 4

As for use of your satellite phone you usually need to be outdoors or near a window facing the satellite for good reception. There are two types of satellite phone services. LEO is Low Earth Orbit. LEO uses orbiting satellites and should have continuous coverage as one satellite goes over the horizon another should be coming into range - this solution is used in Iridium network. They are lower to the earth and may have bad reception in low valleys or against steep cliff walls. Geosynchronous satellites - used by Thuraya-  are a system where the satellites are higher up. They appear in a fixed position and rotate at the same speed as earth. That means four satellites can cover the globe except for the extreme poles. They have better global coverage but a LEO system may be better for use in specific areas.