Direct satellite Phone service
is likely to start soon.
It will provide global communication with the help of thousands of LEO satellites.
6. Skylo satellite network
Coverage - Only USA and Europe.
7. GloNaSS
Global Navigation Satellite System.
Russian satellite system.
Global Coverage - Comparable to GPS.
8. RSCC
Russian Satellite Communication Company.
Provide global coverage.
9.Molniya Satellite Service
It is operated by Russia to cover high-altitude north pole regions.
Very much useful for military and communication.
Satellites are kept in a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO).
Example of Satellite phones/Communicator and their specifications:
Note - Make, model, pros, and cons are subject to change frequently.
Iridium Satellite Network
1. Make & Model - Iridium Go!
Satellite Communicator.
Iridium Satellite Network.
Satellite phones and gadgets can connect 5 devices to its hotspot.
Battery power: 5 hours talk time & 15 hrs standalone mode.
Weight: 300 grams approx.
Size: 114 x 80 x 30 mm (roughly).
Design: Robust, Water, dust, and rough environment resistance.
Coverage - global.
Uses: Satellite calls and satellite SMS, web browsing, access to email and X (Twitter) accounts, etc.
Emergency messaging
SOS alerts
GPS
Cost: US$800
Expensive.
It works as a hotspot. A smartphone is required to take the facilities of satellite communication.
2. Make & Model: Garmin inReach Mini2
Satellite Communicator:
Battery Life - Battery life minimum 14 days.
Weight: 100 grams (approx.)
Size: 50x100x25mm (approx.)
Design: Good features
maybe connected with the Garmin Explore app and Bluetooth.
Coverage: Global
USES: SMS, GPS receiver, Two-way messaging, SOS, weather forecast.
Cost: US$400 (approx)
Low cost
Note - Garmin inReach Messenger is also available at a low price (US$200) with limited features, and may be easily connected with smartphones.
3. Garmin GPSMAP 66I device with mapping
Iridium Satellite Network.
No voice calls.
Cost US$600 (costly).
Provides Useful information for mountaineers, hikers, remote area travelers, etc.
Battery life - 200 hrs.
Weight - bulky.
Garmin Montana 700i
Garmin Montana 700i is an alternative satellite phone to consider because it combines GPS and GALILEO satellite networks with inReach technology, providing a reliable and versatile communication and navigation tool.
4. ICOM IC-SAT100
ICOM IC-SAT100 is a rugged satellite phone alternative that utilizes the Iridium satellite network, making it an excellent choice for those who need reliable communication in harsh environments.
5. Iridium extreme 9575
Iridium Satellite Network
Cost: US$1500
Global coverage
SOS
GPS
Size: 14x6cmx25cm (approx)
Handsfree
No Bluetooth
No camera
Battery life 4 hours talk time and 30 hrs standalone.
Weight - 250 grams
Antenna - Retractable omnidirectional.
Global Star Satellite Network
1. Make & Model - SPOT X
Standalone satellite communicator.
Global Star Satellite Network
Battery Life - 240 hours.
Weight: 200gms (approx).
Size: 165x38x24mm (approx).
Design: Small keyboard.
Coverage: Limited landmass of the world as per the footprint of the Global Star satellite network. However good coverage for Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
USES: SOS calls, tracking facilities, and satellite SMS.
Cost: US$250
Low-priced.
No satellite call except SOS.
Limited features.
2. Global star GSP1700
Satellite Communicator
Cost: US$400
Low cost
Battery life 4 hours talk time and 36 hours standalone.
No SOS
GPS
Size: 13X3.3 CMS
NO HANDS-FREE
No Bluetooth
No camera.
Inmarsat satellite network
1.Make & Model:
Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1
Satellite phone and gadget
Battery Life - 8 hours talk time and 160 hours standalone battery life.
Size: 170x76x30mm (approx.)
Weight - 316 grams
Design: Various features, robust, durable, Environment resistance.
Coverage: Global coverage except polar regions
USES: with voice calling, texting, GPS tracking, and email facilities.
Cost: US$900 (approx)
Expensive
Heavyweight
Handsfree
Bluetooth facility
No camera
Folded directional antenna
SOS
GPS
SMS
Display - color
Especially very good service all over the sea.
BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) Devices of INMARSAT satellite network for high speed (Broadband) internet services:
Explorer-510
Explorer-710
Explorer-727
Skylo satellite
network
Make & Model - satellite communicator
Motorola Defy Satellite Link, a satellite gadget
( Economy)
Cheaper subscription
Battery Life - 4 days
Weight: 70 gms
Size: 82x60x11mm (approx)
Design: Lightweight
Coverage: Only USA and Europe.
USES: No messaging facility
Smartphones are needed for messaging etc.
No satellite call
Cost: US$105 (approx.)
THURAYA satellite network
1.Make & Model - Thuraya XT-LITE
Battery Life - 6 hours talk time
Standalone 80 hours.
Weight: 185 gms (approx)
Size: 128x52x25mm (approx.)
Coverage: Most of the Asia, Europe, and Australian regions, Not covering the USA and other regions.
USES: Satellite calls and satellite SMS.
Dual SIM (Satellite and normal ).
Automatic switching from GSM to satellite and vice versa, no chance to miss the call.
Multilingual facilities.
Cost: US$600
Limited Coverage.
2. Make & model:Thuraya X5 -TOUCH
Cost: US$ 1400 - 1700
Battery life 9 hours talk time/160 hours standalone.
Sos
Gps
14x7.5 cm
Bluetooth
Camera
Handsfree
Android touch + GSM network + satellite network.
3. Make & model Thuraya Satsleeve+
4. Make & model:
Thuraya XT PRO SATELLITE PHONE
Cost: US$1000
Battery life 9/100
Sos button
Pocket size
Micro USB charge.
Note:
A few examples are given for satellite phone handsets. However, In the market, various makes and models are available.
Interested readers may go through the websites of concerned companies or e-commerce online platforms.
Some websites are listed at the end of this blog.
Physical Quality testing of satellite phone:
Satellite phones are mostly used in rough environments like high altitudes, snowfall season, rain, dust, humidity, storms, natural calamities, sea journeys, high temperatures, etc. The probability of a mistaken dropping of a satellite phone is much higher.
For this purpose, two types of testing are commonly done which are described below:
1. Ingress Protection (IP) -
It is called an IP rating. It has two digits in suffix, the first left side digit shows the rating of dust protection and the right side digit shows the rating for water resistance. More value of those digits means more protection. The digit value may be 0 to 9.
Normally satellite phones have a minimum IP65 rating. It means the dust protection rating is 6 on a scale of 0 to 9. The water resistance rating is 5 on a scale of 0 to 9.
2. MIL-STD -
It is called military standard rating. It tests the other environment resistance parameters like dropping, humidity, temperature, etc. MIL-STD 810-rated satellite phones are available in the market.
For more information, we have to go deeper, but not in this blog. Before purchasing or renting, please refer to the manual of the satellite phone or reliable sources.
Satellite Phones in India
Satellite phones in India are also needed to provide communication in high altitude and remote and border areas where terrestrial and cellular phone communication is not available.
These areas may be like below:
Remote areas of Himachal Pradesh, Himalaya hills, Ladakh, Jammu, Kashmir, North-East, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Thar desert, etc.
It is also needed like others to provide communication for natural disaster management, exploration, research, mining, Army, Airforce, Navy, security agencies, the Air, Sea, emergency, war-specified govt organizations, etc.
Only a few satellite networks and related satellite phones are permitted to eligible people and specified organizations in India.
Global Satellite Phone Service (GSPS) by BSNL and INMARSAT (International Maritime Satellite) network services are available in India.
Eligible people or organizations may approach BSNL or registered suppliers to get the Satellite Phone and its services.
Service details of satellite phones in India are listed below:
Handset cost depends upon the selected model it may be INR 90000 or more.
Plan expenditures
(approximation & basic idea only)
Government organizations -
Monthly - minimum INR 4,000,
Annual - minimum INR 40,000
General Public -
Monthly - minimum INR 6,000
Annual - minimum INR 70,000
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and their answers:
Q:
What is the difference between a smart smartphone, a Satellite phone, and a Satellite Communicator?
Answer:
A smartphone is a standard phone that we use for voice, data, images, internet, Bluetooth, near-field communication, and other latest modes of communication. It is presently used by all of us. For this communication, wireless towers, and wifi routers are required to be placed everywhere within the communication range. However, smartphone communication in air, sea, and remote areas is not possible.
Satellite phones are capable of providing communication around the globe, meaning each and every corner of land mass, sea, and air.
A Satellite Communicator is a small device to be attached via app or Bluetooth to a Smartphone. By attaching it, the smartphone will work as a satellite phone. Iridium GO, Garmin InReach Messenger, Zoleo, and Bivy Stick are a few examples of satellite communicator devices.
Q:
iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 is a satellite phone?
Answer:
These are smartphones but if the model has the compatible software to support the satellite link, and a cellular network or wi-fi network is not available for communication, in such emergency cases, limited features like SOS messaging, self-location, etc. can be shared through satellite links.
Q:
Smartphones can be replaced by Satellite phones?
Answer:
Not yet, Satellite phones have some problems like the high price of the handset, costly monthly plan and call charges, international roaming permission, the heavy weight of the handset, lack of high-speed internet/downloading speed, etc. More research, development, and international coordination are needed to replace smartphones.
Q:
Which is the best satellite phone or the best satellite network?
Answer:
It depends upon the individual requirement. Each satellite network and satellite phone has some pros and cons.
Example:
Satellite phones linked with the Thuraya satellite network have a very good inbuilt facility of dual SIM ( GSM SIM - normal cellular phone facility & Satellite network SIM), option of automatic change of SIM or preferred mode of SIM. It is just like a smartphone with the added features of satellite phones. But it covers only a limited region of the world. It does not cover the USA etc. Moreover, in some countries, it is banned.
Satellite phones linked with Inmarsat satellite networks are having global (land, air, and sea) coverage except in the polar regions. Since Inmarsat satellites are placed at a high distance of 36000 Km from the earth's surface in Geostationary orbit, satellite phones may be bulky and need high power transmission to cover the long distance of 36000 Km. Due to the long distance (36000 km) to be traveled by the signal, the latency delay is 540 ms to receive the signal. It is annoying and irritating.
Satellite phones linked with Iridium satellite networks are having global (land, air, and sea) coverage including polar regions. Since Iridium satellites are placed at a distance of less than 800 Kms (less than 500 miles) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), therefore, satellite phones linked with the Iridium satellite network require less power and less weight to communicate in comparison to Inmarsat network-linked phones. Latency delay (time for receiving the answer) is much less than the INMARSAT services.
Satellite phones linked with Starlink satellite network are underway to come into the market loaded with the latest features of smartphones.
Which satellite phone is best?
It depends upon various factors like National and International permission, requirement of coverage area, cost of the handset, monthly plan, limited or extensive use, whether want to buy or want to take on rent, handset physical quality, etc.
So finally, it is an individual choice as per their need, availability, budget, etc.
Q:
In case of an emergency, who will help me in a remote area?
Answer:
The SOS button is useful in an emergency. When a SOS button is turned on, the satellite phone will start to broadcast emergency messages with your location coordinates to nearby helpline services, rescue teams, local authorities, and even family members or emergency contact numbers as per the programming and facilities available in the SOS mode. SOS messages will be broadcast regularly at intervals of a few minutes.
The SOS signal was initially used/broadcasted by sailors in the Morse code method of HF communication. It was used for rescue and emergency help. It was called a distress signal.
The meaning of SOS was to save our souls or save our ship. Still, it is used in telecommunication for the same purpose.
Q:
Is it possible to connect a call from a satellite phone to a landline phone or cellular phone?
Answer:
Yes, you can connect from any phone (satellite, landline, or cellular) to any phone (satellite, landline, or cellular) subject to fulfilling required terms and conditions like sufficient money balance and international accessibility, etc.
Q:
What are the roaming and international call charges to call from a satellite phone?
Answer:
There are no roaming and international call charges to call from a satellite phone. You can call from anywhere to anywhere in the world on normal charges but these normal charges are too high compared to smartphone rates.
There is no charge for incoming calls and messages.
Q:
Whether Internet facilities are available on satellite phones?
Answer:
Yes, Internet facility is available on some selected satellite phones with narrow band (low speed). However, BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) and IsatHub services from the INMARSAT Satellite network and some of the Iridium satellite network services are claiming to provide very high-speed (broadband) internet.
Frankly speaking, in the present scenario, You will not get as high speed on satellite phones as from smartphones.
Q:
Is it possible to talk on a satellite phone from inside the room?
Answer:
Satellite phones work on a line-of-sight principle. It means the satellite should be directly visible to the satellite phone, if you are sitting near the window of the room, you can talk easily, otherwise, you are required to install an adaptive device to carry out the communication in the closed room.
Q:
Can the SIM card of a satellite phone be used in another satellite phone?
Answer:
No, the SIM card of a satellite phone is not compatible with another satellite phone.
Q:
Which Satellite network can provide global communication including all land mass, sea, air, and polar regions?
Answer:
Presently, Only the Iridium Satellite Network can provide global coverage in the true sense for all land, sea, and air traffic. Starlink Satellite Network is planning to provide the same soon.
Q:
Can anyone purchase and use the satellite device (phone, communicator, messenger, gadget, etc.)?
Answer:
It depends upon your country. Most countries, including the US, allow it. However, some countries do not allow you to purchase or use a satellite phone. Therefore before burying, renting, or traveling to any country or area, know and follow the local rules.
Summary:
In the present scenario, size, features, cost of satellite phones, monthly plan, etc. are required to be reached at the level of customer satisfaction.
The coverage area of each satellite network should be global.
Satellite network service providers should have the collaboration among them to provide global access (land, air, sea).
Unconditional use of satellite phones at the international level will increase its popularity.
It is the only and most important, reliable mode of communication during emergencies, war, natural disasters, mountaineering, and traveling in air, sea, and remote land areas where terrestrial and cellular networks are not available.
Fully encrypted satellite phones are available in the market and these phones are very important for security agencies, military and government organizations, etc.
One thing that is very important here is that everything available in the market in the name of satellite phones, gadgets, messengers, and communicators is not providing voice calls.
Moreover, every satellite network does not provide communication worldwide on land, sea, air, etc.
In some countries, specific phones and satellite networks are banned.
Please go thoroughly into the specifications of the device and match them with your need, budget, buy/rent options, coverage and accessible areas or countries, and permission from the concerned government, etc.
Similarly go through the monthly plan, annual plan, expenditures incurred in addition to the cost of the handset, etc. After adding the annual or monthly expenditure with handset cost, matching with need, buy or rent option, budget, etc, decide to move further to rent or buy a good device.
Disclaimer:
The best efforts are made to provide authentic information with the help of self-knowledge, study material, information available on the following websites or similar websites, etc.
This article is for educational purposes only. The author does not take any guarantee/responsibility for its correctness, completeness, and consequences.
Please ignore any typographical errors. Data given in the articles are subject to change frequently. Before using the provided information, please cross-check from the authentic sources.
Sources of Information and online Purchase links:
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