Satellite phone basics - Beginners guide

Satellite Phones: The Basic Guide for 2023

Iridium Extreme 

Satellite phones are mobile devices that connect to other phones or the telephone network by radio link through satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites, as cellphones do. 

They offer reliable communication in remote areas where cellular coverage is unavailable or unreliable. Satellite phones can also provide emergency backup communication in case of natural disasters, power outages, or other situations that disrupt normal phone service.

But how do satellite phones work? What are the benefits and drawbacks of using them? And what are the best satellite phones and gadgets for 2023?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more, so you can decide if a satellite phone is right for you.

How do satellite phones work?

Satellite phones work by sending and receiving signals from satellites that orbit the Earth at different altitudes and angles. There are three main types of satellite networks: low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO).

- LEO satellites are the closest to the Earth, ranging from 500 to 2,000 kilometers above the surface. They move fast across the sky, so they need a large number of satellites to provide continuous coverage. LEO satellites offer low latency (the time it takes for a signal to travel from one point to another) and high voice quality, but they also require more power and have a shorter lifespan than higher-orbiting satellites. Examples of LEO networks are Iridium and Globalstar.

- MEO satellites are farther away from the Earth, ranging from 8,000 to 20,000 kilometers above the surface. They move slower than LEO satellites, so they need fewer satellites to provide coverage. MEO satellites offer moderate latency and voice quality, but they also have lower power requirements and longer lifespans than LEO satellites. An example of a MEO network is O3b.

- GEO satellites are the farthest from the Earth, ranging from 35,000 to 36,000 kilometers above the equator. They move at the same speed as the Earth's rotation, so they appear stationary in the sky. GEO satellites offer high latency and lower voice quality than lower-orbiting satellites, but they also have the lowest power requirements and longest lifespans. GEO satellites can cover large areas with a single satellite, but they have limited coverage near the poles and may experience interference from weather or other sources. An example of a GEO network is Inmarsat.

To use a satellite phone, you need a device that is compatible with the network you want to access, a SIM card that contains your subscription information, and a clear view of the sky. Depending on the network and device, you may also need an external antenna or a docking station to improve signal reception.

To make or receive a call on a satellite phone, you dial or answer as you would on a regular phone. The device then connects to the nearest satellite in its network, which relays the signal to another satellite or a ground station. The ground station then connects the call to the destination phone or network.

To send or receive data on a satellite phone, such as text messages, emails, or web browsing, you need a device that supports data services and a data plan from your provider. The device then connects to the satellite network as described above and transfers data packets between your device and the destination server.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of using satellite phones?

Satellite cellphones have several advantages over regular phones:

- They work anywhere in the world where there is satellite coverage, regardless of cellular availability or infrastructure.

- They provide reliable communication in emergency situations where normal phone service may be disrupted or unavailable.

- They offer secure and private communication that is less vulnerable to hacking or interception than cellular or landline networks.

- They can support additional features such as GPS tracking, SOS alerts, weather forecasts, and more.

However, satellite phones also have some disadvantages compared to regular phones:

- They are more expensive to buy and use than regular phones. Satellite phones can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars upfront, depending on the model and features. Satellite service plans can also cost tens or hundreds of dollars per month or per minute, depending on the network and usage.

- They have limited battery life and require frequent charging. Sat phones consume more power than regular phones because they need to transmit signals over long distances and through various obstacles. Satellite phones typically have battery life ranging from 4 to 10 hours of talk time and 30 to 160 hours of standby time.

- They have lower performance and quality than regular phones. Satphones may experience delays, echoes, dropouts, or interference during calls due to factors such as network congestion, atmospheric conditions, terrain obstructions, or device orientation. Satellite data speeds are also much slower than cellular or Wi-Fi speeds, ranging from 2.4 kbps to 512 kbps depending on the network and device.

- They have limited compatibility and functionality with other devices and networks. Satellite phones may not work with some accessories such as headphones or Bluetooth devices. Satellite phones may also not be able to access some services such as voicemail or caller ID. Additionally, some countries may restrict or prohibit the use of satellite phones for security or regulatory reasons.

 What are the best satellite phones and gadgets for 2023?

There are many satellite phones and gadgets available on the market today, each with different features, prices, and networks. Here are some of our top picks for 2023:

Iridium Extreme 9575

The Iridium Extreme 9575 is one of the most rugged and versatile satellite phones available today. It works on the Iridium network, which offers global coverage with no gaps or blind spots. It supports voice calls,

text messages,

email,

GPS tracking,

SOS alerts,

and more.

It also has an IP65 rating for water

and dust resistance

and meets MIL-STD 810F standards for shock

and vibration resistance.

The Iridium Extreme 9575 has a battery life of up to 4 hours of talk time

and up to 30 hours of standby time.

It costs $1,695 upfront

and requires a monthly

or annual plan

from Iridium

or its partners.

Inmarsat IsatPhone 2

The Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 is one of the most reliable

and affordable satellite phones available today.

It works on the Inmarsat network,

which offers near-global coverage

with high voice quality

and low latency.

It supports voice calls,

text messages,

email,

GPS tracking,

SOS alerts,

and more.

It also has an IP65 rating for water

and dust resistance

and operates in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +55°C.

The Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 has a battery life of up to 8 hours of talk time

and up to 160 hours of standby time.

It costs $899 upfront

and requires a monthly,

annual,

or prepaid plan

from Inmarsat

or its partners.

Thuraya X5-Touch

The Thuraya X5-Touch is one of the most advanced

and innovative satellite phones available today.

It works on both the Thuraya network,

which offers regional coverage in Europe,

Africa,

Asia,

and Australia,

and GSM networks,

which offer cellular coverage in most countries.

It supports voice calls,

text messages,

email,

web browsing,

GPS tracking,

SOS alerts,

and more.

It also runs on Android OS

and has a touchscreen display,

a camera,

a Wi-Fi hotspot,

a Bluetooth connection,

and dual SIM slots.

The Thuraya X5-Touch has a battery life of up to 9 hours of talk time

and up to 160 hours of standby time.

It costs $1,299 upfront

and requires a monthly

or annual plan

from Thuraya

or its partners.

Iridium GO!

The Iridium GO! is not a satellite phone per se,

but rather a mobile satellite router

that allows you to use your smartphone

or tablet as a satellite device.

It works on the Iridium network,

which offers global coverage with no gaps or blind spots³.

It supports voice calls,

text messages,

email,

web browsing,

GPS tracking,

SOS alerts,

and more³.

It also has an IP65 rating for water

and dust resistance

and meets MIL-STD 810F standards for shock

and vibration resistance.

The Iridium GO! has a battery life of up to 5.5 hours of talk time

or data use

and up to 15.5 hours of standby time.

It costs $875.00 upfront

and requires a monthly

or annual plan

from Iridium

or its partners.

Garmin inReach Mini

The Garmin inReach Mini is not a satellite phone either,

but rather a compact satellite communicator

that lets you send

and receive text messages

and SOS alerts via satellite.

It works on the Iridium network,

which offers global coverage with no gaps or blind spots!

ACR bivy stick satellite communicator is also very popular in 2023 and priced right!

Sources:

(1) Satellite phone - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_phone.

(2) . https://bing.com/search?q=Satellite+Phones.

(3) Best satellite phones and gadgets of 2023: Expert picks | ZDNET. https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-satellite-phone/.

(4) Satellite Mobile Phones. https://www.satellitemobilephones.com/.