Inmarsat have made the first phone call from their new IsatPhone Pro – a satellite phone which will be launched to coincide with the global expansion of their Inmarsat SPS (Satellite Phone Service) in June 2010. The IsatPhone Pro will improve on the original IsatPhone with new features such as Bluetooth for hands free use and improved battery life.
Not only is the launch of the IsatPhone Pro a significant milestone for Inmarsat, it will alter the satellite communications industry as a whole. Currently Iridium is the only provider of global satellite phone services and consequently equipment and airtime is priced higher than other providers such as Thuraya and the current Inmarsat SPS service. It will be interesting to see how this increased competition in global satellite voice services will affect prices – it could be that increased competition leads to a fall in prices making satellite communications even more accessible to customers.
The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro will be available from Global Telesat Communications in June 2010. Due to the anticipated high demand please register your interest to ensure early delivery.