Articles about satellite phones, equipment and satellite communications.
Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar
Satellite Phone for Sailors. Satellite Communication for Sea.
The sea is a source of danger for any equipment — high humidity, temperature fluctuations, and other undesirable factors for unprepared devices.
If we break down the criteria for choosing a satellite phone for sea use, we get the following: phone protection, coverage area, device cost, and call cost.
The Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 is the first thing that comes to mind when talking about a satellite phone for the sea. Inmarsat was originally created to work at sea, so their devices are designed accordingly. The IsatPhone 2 has all the necessary protection levels and criteria for safe use in marine conditions. The coverage area of Inmarsat is also excellent — it covers the entire surface of the Earth except the polar regions. The price of the Inmarsat satellite phone is quite reasonable and even lower than most competitors in this class. The same can be said about the cost of Inmarsat satellite communication.
Inmarsat is good, but there are competitors. This is the Iridium 9575 Extreme. The price is higher, as is the cost of calls, but you get the most protected satellite phone currently available (IP65 dust and moisture protection). You also get global coverage from Iridium (100% of the Earth, including the poles) with excellent, stable connection. The cost of satellite communication is higher than Inmarsat, but you have to pay for quality.
Another device suitable for sea use is the Thuraya XT. The Thuraya XT satellite phone is less protected than the ones mentioned above (IP54/IK03 protection standard), but it has several advantages. First, it has a more powerful battery (up to 6 hours talk time, up to 80 hours standby), smaller size, and competitive price. The cost of Thuraya satellite communication is cheaper than Iridium and Inmarsat, and the voucher is valid for 2 years, so you don’t have to top up the account constantly. However, the coverage area of Thuraya is much smaller than its counterparts. Therefore, Thuraya is better suited for yacht owners or sailors who do not go on long voyages.
In conclusion, according to the price = quality criterion, the IsatPhone 2 wins. It can be considered the optimal satellite phone for sailors and sea travel.
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How to Buy a Satellite Phone
Before buying a satellite phone, several questions arise. Let’s answer some of them:
1. Choosing a satellite phone by satellite system.
Today there are several satellite communication systems that offer portable satellite phones: Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar, and Thuraya. Their main difference is coverage area and the principle of the satellite constellation. Satellite phones with 100% coverage are Iridium phones. Globalstar, Thuraya, and Inmarsat phones have global coverage but do not cover the poles. When choosing a satellite phone, first determine where you may need satellite communication.
2. Capabilities of the satellite phone.
The first and main function is making calls. The second is data transmission, but the speeds of portable satellite phones are still very low — up to 9.6 Kbps. You can send email, SMS, and check the weather via the internet from any satellite phone. Speeds up to 492 Kbps are provided by Inmarsat BGAN satellite modems.
3. Cost of the satellite phone.
The cost of a satellite phone is significantly higher than a mobile phone, but it fully justifies itself. One call from a satellite phone can save a life, or at least your nerves :)
4. Cost of calls from a satellite phone.
Call rates for satellite phones range from $0.7 to $2 per minute. However, calls from one operator’s satellite phone to another operator’s satellite phone can cost up to $10 per minute. All incoming calls to a satellite phone are free, but the caller will pay from $2 per minute.
5. Renting or buying a satellite phone.
Renting a satellite phone makes sense for up to 2 months. After that, even with discounts, the purchase price becomes comparable to the rental cost. If you use a satellite phone periodically, it is better to buy one. The service life of a satellite phone is equal to the service life of the satellite constellation plus the ability to work with next-generation satellites.
6. Weight, size, and ergonomics of satellite phones.
Modern satellite phones weigh from 100 grams and more. For example, the latest Iridium model — the 9575 Extreme — weighs 247 grams. Satellite companies focus primarily on increasing reliability rather than adding many extra features. Although Thuraya has released satellite smartphones with their own operating systems, MP3 support, and color displays.