Articles about satellite phones, equipment and satellite communications.
Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar
Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone Review
Convenience and reliability — this is the IsatPhone 2. The phone from Inmarsat is rightfully considered one of the best satellite phones in its class. It was developed by Inmarsat, a company whose quality is recognized worldwide.
The call quality is also excellent. The IsatPhone 2 works flawlessly in any weather conditions, regardless of distance, external interference, or weather. All this is thanks to the latest and unique technologies.
A robust body, excellent connection, and ease of use have turned this satellite phone into a perfect, reliable, and modern device that is hard to do without in today’s world. A huge advantage is the long battery life — up to 100 hours in standby mode and up to 8 hours in talk mode, which is significantly better than its competitors.
The phone’s body is highly resistant to moisture, dust, dirt, shocks, and temperature extremes. It is designed to operate in almost any conditions. The manufacturer, the British company Inmarsat, has been providing satellite communication to users of its devices as well as to other companies, organizations, and military departments for many years. Inmarsat has wide coverage and constantly monitors the quality of its networks.
Advantages of the Inmarsat IsatPhone 2:
Main features: satellite telephony, voicemail, text messaging and email, GPS coordinates
Longest battery life: up to 8 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby
Extremely rugged handset: operates in temperatures from -20°C to +55°C; IP54 protection against water, dust and shocks; humidity tolerance from 0 to 95%
The only portable satellite phone with global coverage that supports Bluetooth: thanks to the fully maneuverable antenna, you can place the phone on its side and easily use it in speakerphone mode or with a headset
Easy to use: intuitive GSM-style interface; high-contrast color display; enlarged keypad for easy dialing while wearing gloves
Reliable network connection: operates using geostationary satellites with global coverage that will remain in service until the 2020s; very low probability of call drops
Extremely low cost: competitive price for the phone, accessories, and airtime
In conclusion: if you want to buy a satellite phone that will never let you down, then the IsatPhone 2 is exactly what you need. Reliability + excellent call quality.
Using the IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone in Forest Conditions
Inmarsat positions its flagship IsatPhone 2 as a competitor to the Iridium 9575 Extreme. This phone, like its predecessor, is very popular as a satellite phone for the sea, but is it also good for rough terrain and forests? That’s what we will check.
As you know, the Iridium and Inmarsat satellite systems differ significantly. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-orbit satellites that constantly move around the planet, providing a stable signal in rough terrain, mountains, and other hard-to-reach places.
Inmarsat uses three geostationary satellites that rotate at the speed of the Earth, appearing stationary from our perspective. With this system, any obstacles blocking the view of the satellite result in unstable or completely absent connection.
We activated the brand new IsatPhone 2 and headed to the suburbs.
Externally, the phone looks excellent and is in no way inferior to the Iridium 9575 — it is rubberized, the battery is securely sealed, it has an external SOS button, and basically all functions are the same as the 9575.
We turned it on — the signal was caught immediately in open terrain. Within 20–30 seconds the phone registers and you can make calls. We went further and tested the connection in the forest. If we compare it with Iridium, it should work in the forest and in any terrain. But here problems begin. In the forest, the GPS position could not be determined, and without it, network registration is impossible.
After a few minutes, the GPS signal was finally found and the phone registered on the network. In the end, we managed to catch a signal and make a call in about half of the attempts in the forest. In the other cases, the signal was too weak and only emergency calls were available.
We also tested the functionality. The IsatPhone 2 called pre-set numbers on schedule and sent location coordinates via email and SMS. Everything works exactly the same as on the Iridium 9575.
In summary: the IsatPhone 2 is a high-quality and reliable satellite phone. With one BUT: it is suitable only for open terrain — it is ideal as a satellite phone for sailors and yachtsmen.