A satellite phone is a type of mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell sites.
Satellite phones are a technology proven to facilitate communications in remote destinations, making sat phones ideal for wilderness adventure seekers, sailors, or teams responsible for emergency preparedness and contingency planning.
Satellite phones offer call and SMS text messaging communication services and low-bandwidth internet access are supported through most systems. They do not route calls through land-based cellular towers like traditional mobile phones; rather, they transmit data through satellites orbiting the planet. This network of satellites is either “fixed above the Equator (geostationary), or in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles above the earth.” Satellite phones are therefore not reliant on cell towers that can be damaged by natural disasters or may be non-existent in remote locations. Due to the satellite architecture, these phones can essentially work anywhere in the world, greatly assisting organizations operating in locations that lack a reliable communications infrastructure. Minutes can be prepaid or bought via monthly airtime contract, and are often categorized as less expensive than foreign roaming charges on a typical cell network.
Depending on the architecture of a particular system, coverage may include the entire Earth or only specific regions.
There are several types of satellite phones, including:
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Traditional satellite phones: These are standalone devices that use satellite networks to make and receive calls. They are typically larger and more expensive than other types of phones, but they offer reliable connectivity in areas with no cellular coverage.
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Smart satellite phones: These are satellite phones that offer additional features and capabilities, such as the ability to access the internet, send text messages, and run apps.
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Hybrid satellite phones: These are satellite phones that can also connect to cellular networks when available, allowing users to switch between satellite and cellular coverage depending on their location.
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Satellite hotspots: These are portable devices that create a wireless internet connection using satellite networks, allowing multiple devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops) to connect to the internet at the same time.
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Satellite-enabled smartphones: These are smartphones that are equipped with a satellite module, allowing them to connect to satellite networks in addition to cellular networks.
There are several types of satellite phones that are available on the market today. Some of the most common types include:
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Inmarsat satellite phones: These phones use the Inmarsat network to provide global coverage, including in remote and hard-to-reach locations.
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Iridium satellite phones: These phones use the Iridium network, which provides coverage in virtually all parts of the world, including the poles.
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Globalstar satellite phones: These phones use the Globalstar network, which provides coverage in most parts of the world, including many remote and hard-to-reach locations.
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Thuraya satellite phones: These phones use the Thuraya network, which provides coverage in most parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
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IsatPhone satellite phones: These phones use the Inmarsat network to provide global coverage, including in remote and hard-to-reach locations.
In addition to these types of satellite phones, there are also satellite phone systems that are designed specifically for use on ships and other maritime vessels. These systems use satellite networks to provide communication services to ships that are out of range of traditional terrestrial phone systems.
A fixed installation, such as one used aboard a ship, may include large, rugged, rack-mounted electronics, and a steerable microwave antenna on the mast that automatically tracks the overhead satellites. Smaller installations using VoIP over a two-way satellite broadband service such as BGAN or VSAT bring the costs within the reach of leisure vessel owners. Internet service satellite phones have notoriously poor reception indoors, though it may be possible to get a consistent signal near a window or in the top floor of a building if the roof is sufficiently thin. The phones have connectors for external antennas that can be installed in vehicles and buildings.
- Credit: Wikipedia.org, US Dept. of State
There are four satellite phone network providers, Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar and Thuraya.
Iridium
A fleet of 66 low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites provide military grade voice and data communications solutions with complete global coverage of the earth including polar regions. Iridium is the most reliable, and is the only network to cover all 7 continents.
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