Satellite Internet and Phone in a Car

Every enthusiast of long car trips, especially to areas remote from civilization, has thought about the possibility of using internet and communication in the car. If voice communication is simple — the optimal solution is the Iridium 9555 satellite phone, then internet presents difficulties. Firstly, satellite phones provide at best speeds up to 60 kbit/s, which is only enough for optimized email work. Secondly, setting up internet access via a satellite phone is complicated.

When looking for solutions for satellite internet in a car, there are not many options. The most common ones are:

3G modems. Cheap tariffs, good speed and no complicated settings. This is an excellent solution if you plan to use it in cities or places with 3G coverage. But even on highways, not to mention remote areas, there will be no connection. Additionally, when moving from country to country, the modem will work in roaming mode, making it impractical for long trips.

VSAT, Nassat and similar equipment. Such satellite communication systems have proven themselves well for stationary, immobile installations. Relatively inexpensive equipment and good tariffs. But they have quite serious disadvantages for use in a car or any other moving vehicle. Firstly, the size — the minimum antenna dish radius is 1.2 m plus massive mounts and large additional equipment, which greatly reduces the useful capacity of the car, especially on long trips. Secondly, local coverage — tariffs and operability are often tied to a geographic zone/country. Thirdly, complexity of setup and installation. Fourthly, operability only in a stationary state. To use it, you need to park and point the antenna at the satellite. These are very serious disadvantages for use on moving vehicles.

As an alternative, we suggest considering BGAN satellite internet and telephony equipment from Inmarsat for cars and mobile transport, using the most common device for mobile transport as an example — the BGAN Explorer 325.

This equipment is specially designed for use on mobile transport in any conditions. It has IP-65 protection and can operate in temperatures from -40°C to +80°C. The antenna does not require pointing at the satellite and can work while moving at speeds up to 200 km/h. Quite compact dimensions, and installation and setup do not require any special knowledge: install, connect — it works. Further use of the terminal also does not require any additional actions — turn it on and in a minute you can use the internet and make calls.

Inmarsat satellite communication has global coverage (only the polar caps are not covered). You can be sure that you will have communication anywhere on the planet, whether there are roads or not.
Approximate tariffs: from $3/MB; from $0.5 per minute for any direction.
Tariffs are the same wherever you are — in Ukraine, Africa or Australia.

Terminal capabilities: voice communication; internet speed up to 384 kbit/s; streaming: 32, 64, 128 kbit/s; fax; SMS.
The Explorer 325 can easily turn your car into a real mobile communication center. And since satellite communication cannot be eavesdropped on or tracked, it is also a secure communication channel.

Package includes:

antenna with built-in magnetic mount

transceiver with 2 Ethernet ports and 1 telephony port

antenna cable — 2.7 m

IP phone and cable

Ethernet cable — 2 m

DC power cable — 1 m

quick start guide, user manual, installation guide on USB flash drive

BGAN Explorer 325 is currently the best solution for satellite internet in a car.

Satellite Phone in a Car

If internet in the car is not critical for you and priority is given to voice communication, such solutions will cost many times less than the terminal described above.
The most popular solution for satellite communication in a car is the Iridium GO paired with an external antenna.

The Iridium GO satellite terminal provides the ability to make calls and use email anywhere on the planet. Iridium GO creates a Wi-Fi network to which up to 5 devices can be connected simultaneously and, through a special application (currently only for iOS and Android devices), use voice calls, SMS and email worldwide. The small size of the terminal (about the size of a regular router) allows it to be discreetly placed in the car (for example, in the trunk or glove compartment). The terminal is powered via standard micro USB, making installation no more difficult than installing a dash cam. An external magnetic antenna is connected to the terminal and attached to the car body. That’s it — just download the app to your phone and start using the terminal anywhere on the planet where there is no cellular coverage. If you need satellite communication with you, you can simply disconnect the Iridium GO and take it with you (autonomous operation in use mode — up to 5 hours; up to 60 hours in standby mode).

The convenience of this solution is, firstly, its low cost, and secondly, the user does not need to purchase additional expensive and bulky docking stations, unlike considering any satellite phone as an alternative to Iridium GO.

A similar solution can be the Thuraya Satsleeve Hotspot paired with a similar external antenna.

For constant use of satellite communication in a car, the mandatory use of an additional external antenna is required, since any device needs direct sky visibility, which is obstructed by the car’s construction. Depending on the materials of the car body, some satellite phones may work with varying success even without external antennas, but the signal will not be stable.

If you have any questions regarding satellite communication — contact us in any convenient way listed in the Contacts section. We will be happy to advise you and find the answer to your question.

Articles about satellite phones, equipment and satellite communications. Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar

Articles about satellite phones, equipment and satellite communications.
Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar