Satellite Phone Information

Iridium Satellite Phone Coverage

Here is a map of Iridium Satellite Phone coverage.

Globalstar Coverage Map

Here is a map of the coverage for Globalstar Satellite Phones.

What is a Satellite Phone?

What is a Satellite Phone?

Satellite phone is a subscription radio service. It's similar to cable television, in that it provides a wide range of programming not available on traditional AM/FM radio for a monthly fee.

A satellite phone is a telephone-like device that sends radio signals direct to a satellite then down to a land earth station from where the call can be directed to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as well as a cellular network. The reverse is also true. Any land-line or cellular network can call satellite phones. The Gateway processes and takes care of the switching of the calls rather than the satellite network. This allows telephone usage even when a person is literally in the "middle of no where" and too far away from a cell tower for a cellular phone. When a user calls another compatible satellite phone, the call is transmitted up to the satellites and then down to the ground station then transmitted back up to the satellites then down to the receiving satellite phone. This is the ultimate secure calling because the encryption is handled at the ground station because the call never goes to a land-line or PSTN.

The most popular hand held satellite telephones use Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites. When the user turns on the satellite phone the signal goes up to any number of satellites in a compatible constellation where it is then registered with the constellation.

There is no single phone that works everywhere except a satellite phone and although they are hand-held they don't work indoors. Satellite phones use incredible technology to provide global coverage at reasonably low costs.
Satellite phones need a clear line of sight view of the satellite. Performance can also be affected by poor weather and use is generally restricted to outdoors (though they will sometimes work through glass or canvas). For Iridium, this means the phone (or at least the phone's antenna) must be outside with a reasonably unobstructed view of most of the sky. Iridium phones use a non-directional antenna - which means it does not have to be pointed in any particular direction.

Another law of physics that must be respected by satellite phones is that bandwidth is limited. Satellite phones share the limited resources of the satellite amongst users in many different countries. The engineers have developed amazing systems that allow narrow-band carriers to be used to carry voice signals. However, this technology is not capable of delivering high bandwidth data-Internet access is certainly possible, but it is slow.

What is the coverage area of a Satellite phone?
You will have global coverage with our Satellite phone service with the following geographical exceptions: South Korea, North Sri Lanka, Hungary and Poland.

Will I have access to the Internet?
You may rent or purchase a data kit for your satellite phone, which will provide access through the Iridium ISP at 9.6 kbps.

How is the reception?
Reception is generally good but may vary by day and location. The more open sky you have available the better your signal. Clouds and foliage do not necessarily provide a significant hindrance to signal availability but a solar flare will. Finally, you should not expect to use your satellite phone with an artificial structure over your head.

If you work, live or travel in areas outside cellular coverage or in areas with inadequate landline service, a satellite phone is for you. Eighty-six percent of the world's landmass and all of its oceans are in areas with inadequate landline service. A satellite phone addresses these situations by providing coverage in all ocean areas, air routes and all landmasses - even the Poles. Unlike a GSM cell phone a satellite phone offers a communications solution that is independent of location.

Whether you're posting a breaking news story from the mountains of Afghanistan or just staying in touch with the office during a Caribbean cruise, satellite phones can be the only choice when you absolutely, positively need a phone in the far reaches of the world. Satellite phones can be expensive, though Iridium's $1.50 USD charge is sometimes equaled or surpassed by international mobile roaming rates for some GSM carriers. However, only recently have they achieved acceptable speeds for data transmission.

Since there needs to be a clear line of sight between the antenna and satellite, performance can also be affected by poor weather and use is generally restricted to outdoors (though they will sometimes work through glass or canvas). This can also limit the ability to receive incoming calls, though for applications on boats and other places an external antenna can greatly enhance their use. Also, phones like Qualcomm's GSP1600 (shown at right) offer compatibility with existing AMPS and CDMA networks to help alleviate some of these drawbacks while allowing users to stay connected well beyond the reach of lowly terrestrial networks. Users of the Thuraya system serving Europe, North & Central Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent can also access local GSM networks in those areas. Also, external antenna connections can help overcome some of the limitations to indoor usage.

Satellite phone systems are expensive to build and far less competitive than conventional mobile systems, so there are only a few providers to choose from like Iridium, Globalstar, Inmarsat and the previously mentioned Thuraya. Great strides have been made in making these phones increasingly portable, though briefcase models are still available and just about all of them need an oversized antenna.