Questions and Answers Questions & Answers

A satellite phone is a universal mobile communication device that works in almost any point on Earth. A satellite phone connects directly to a satellite, thereby providing reliable communication even where there are no regular wired or cellular networks. Perhaps you travel frequently and have to stay in remote areas without communication for a long time. Or you are going on a sea cruise, or maybe your mobile phone simply doesn't work at your dacha. In such situations, a satellite phone is the simplest and most economical solution to communication problems.

Not difficult. Modern satellite phones are very easy to operate and designed for untrained users. Making a call via satellite is as easy as calling another country. Each satellite phone comes with brief and complete user manuals in English. Our company subscribers can receive free consultations on any issues related to the operation of satellite phones and terminals.

What they have in common is that the user doesn't need to understand the intricacies of how the network they use works - they simply dial the required number. This is where the similarities between satellite and cellular phones end, and the differences between them are quite significant. The main ones are:

• A cellular phone will only work within its service area, which is typically limited to the city and possibly the adjacent region. Satellite communication also has the concept of a service area, but such an area can be an entire continent or the whole planet. For example, look at Inmarsat's coverage area.


• In some satellite networks, the very concept of roaming is absent, as communication services are provided by the same operator at uniform fixed rates, regardless of your location. Moreover, satellite communication tariffs are sometimes cheaper than cellular tariffs! (for example, when comparing satellite communication with international cellular roaming).


• Furthermore, the availability or absence of certain additional cellular services (SMS short message service, data transmission, etc.) depends on your location. Satellite communication typically provides subscribers with all basic and additional services regardless of their location.

Complete communication confidentiality can be guaranteed when calling from one satellite phone to another. In this scenario, the signal does not pass through public ground networks, as all gateway stations are located abroad. When a connection is established between a satellite phone and a regular landline (or cellular) phone, the conversation can be intercepted by malicious actors connected to ground telephone networks. Ensuring call confidentiality in this case is only possible with a special encryption device - a scrambler.

Anywhere - to regular landline phones, to cellular phones of any standard, to other satellite phones, to subscriber numbers of digital telephone networks.

A satellite phone costs more than a cellular one, but this is qualitatively different communication. The cost per minute of conversation via satellite generally depends on the satellite network, your chosen tariff plan, your location, and the direction of the call.
For details and assistance in selecting a tariff plan, contact our specialists.

If you purchased the phone from us, contact our specialists in any case. During the warranty period, repair of the satellite phone (or replacement with a new one) will be done free of charge. In other cases, the repair cost will depend on the malfunction.

The answer to this question depends on the type of satellite network. Satellite phones of geostationary networks (which include Inmarsat and Thuraya networks) generally work if the airplane window is currently "facing" south (for the northern hemisphere). Satellite phones of low-orbital networks (Globalstar, Iridium) work on a plane only with a certain probability if direct visibility of the satellite is provided from the airplane window at that moment.

Our specialists strongly do not recommend using satellite phones on airplanes. A satellite phone is a relatively powerful high-frequency radio transmitting device and, therefore, can create interference with the aircraft's electronic equipment. Most airlines prohibit the use of satellite phones on planes. However, there are special aviation models of satellite phones that are installed stationary on aircraft with strict requirements for flight safety and electromagnetic compatibility.

The answer to this question will help you better understand the fundamental limitations that satellite phone owners may face.

• In geostationary satellite networks, which include Inmarsat and Thuraya, satellites are stationary relative to the Earth's surface. If you are in the northern hemisphere, geostationary network satellites will always be located to the southwest, southeast, or south of you, depending on your location. In the southern hemisphere - respectively to the northwest, northeast, and north. Geostationary satellite communication networks have the following important advantage: if the connection is established and you are not moving, it will remain stable and will not be interrupted. Such phones work excellently in desert terrain and on water.


• Low-orbital satellite networks, which include Globalstar and Iridium, consist of several dozen satellites continuously moving relative to the Earth. It is difficult to predict in which part of the sky the satellites are at any given moment. A low-orbital network satellite flies over you in the direction from horizon to opposite horizon in 10-15 minutes. During this time, communication through this satellite is possible. Low-orbital networks are built in such a way that at any moment, the satellite phone owner "sees" at least one satellite. In other words, when one satellite goes below the horizon, at that moment (or a few minutes earlier) another satellite should appear in the satellite phone's field of view. If you are talking on a satellite phone at this time, the satellite network will ensure smooth transfer of your call to another satellite and you will continue the conversation without even suspecting anything. Thus, continuous communication is ensured. This feature of low-orbital satellite networks makes them an excellent option for use while moving, for example, in a car. However, the connection may be interrupted if you are in a forest, gorge, canyon, between tall buildings, etc. - anywhere where the satellite phone cannot "see" the satellite. On the other hand, low-orbital phones work at both the North and South Poles.