Satellite Phone

A satellite phone is a mobile phone that uses an orbiting satellite to as its communications network instead of cell towers. Satellite phones were actually created before cellular phones but they never gained adoption mainly due to costs, size and reach. Early satellite phones had bulky antennas and had difficulty communicating in cities with tall buildings. However, in recent years, the satellite phone as become popular due to its ability to reach remote areas.

Satellite phones are a popular favorite among world travelers, maritime, aviation, governement, scientists and petroleum industry personnel as satellite phone service is able to reach remote parts of the world that has few human inhabitants.

There are two types of satellite phone services: Geostationary and Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The major geostationary satellite service for civilian use is Inmarsat. The benefit of geostationary service is that it takes fewer satellites for the same amount of coverage as LEO service however, the size of the antenna is rather large and bulky.

Most consumers use LEO satellite service which offers coverage worldwide by flying satellites in low orbit such that there is aways one satellite above some part of the earth at all times. The major low earth orbit satellite service providers are Iridium and Globalstar.

Satellite Phone Service
Satellite phones are priced based on coverage. For example, a Globalstar satellite phone that covers only the US and Carribeans can cost from $300 and up while an Iridium satellite phone that covers the entire world can cost from $1000 and up. These prices typically require a year service agreement or prepaid service. Typical Iridium satellite phone per minute charges are around $1.00 per minute and up for Iridium phone to another phone and around $1.00 per minute for Iridium phone to Iridium phone.

Satellite Phone Rental
Many people rent satellite phones for use in occasions when they are traveling outside of cellular coverage. When renting a satellite phone remember to figure out how many days you need it and estimate when you will need to use the phone. The satellite phone rental services will charge you a daily rental fee and a fee per minute of usage. If you rent for a longer period of time, the daily rental fee will be lower. Typical daily rental fees range from $7 to $15 a day and typical per minute charges are around $1.00 to $2.00 per minute. There are good deals online if you do your research. Make sure you ask the satellite phone rental companies for all the details before you purchase.