Satellite Phone Service - A Look At What To Expect

By Author: Jesse Whitehead
Total Articles: 130
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What can you expect when you are considering satellite phone service?

When it comes to picking the one that best suits your needs, you should consider in what area of the world you plan to place and receive calls. Because coverage varies among the major satellite providers, you will need to pick the service that provides coverage to the area you will be visiting. This means checking out the major global satellite phone (sat phone) network providers and the smaller regional providers that are not so well known.

Technology: Geosynchronous or Low Earth Orbit

Some sat phone services offer global coverage, which ensures that you can call and receive calls and messages in just about any part of the world. One such global system uses what is called geosynchronous satellites, which are in a permanent fixed position in the sky at very high altitudes of about 20,000 miles. Because of the high altitude, geosynchronous satellite systems provide global coverage with a small number of satellites. Several companies utilize this technology including Inmarsat, Terrestar, Thuraya, MSAT and ACeS.

Another global ...
... sat phone technology uses LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites, which orbit the earth at high speed at an altitude of 400 to 700 miles high. LEO satellites circle the earth much closer to the ground than their geosynchronous counterparts. This limits their range and necessitates the need for a large number of satellites in the network. Companies that use LEO technology include Iridium and Globalstar.

Regional or Global Coverage

Some satellite phone services offer global coverage; others provide regional coverage to specific areas or countries. Satellite phone companies provide very good connectivity and coverage in their respective service areas, although they require a direct line of site from phone to satellite. Such services are able to provide Internet broadwidth connectivity and GPS capabilities as well as SMS and even ordinary call forwarding services.

Where To Find

If you are looking for a satellite phone plan that combines great features and price, a good place to start is on the internet. You will find a number of websites offering terrific deals on handsets and service plans, with a choice of renting or purchasing your phone. You can opt for daily, weekly, or monthly plans depending on how long you will need the phone. Although the cost for satellite phone plans are a bit higher than that of cell phones, the advantages of staying connected in the most remote corners of the world may well outweigh the additional costs.
Want to learn more about satellite phone service? Visit Satellite Phone Rental website to find out more.