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Buying Guides, built for real-world missions
Your Satellite Buying Compass
Pick the right device first time. Explore guides for phones, hotspots, tracking, and airtime, plus practical tips that save money and reduce risk.
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What's the project?
Use this section to help you best decide your needs. Click an option to scroll.
Emergency voice and SMS
Best for remote travel, safety check-ins, and contingency plans
Internet for laptops and teams
Data access, uploads, email, and operational comms
Share location and SOS
Personal safety and visibility, ideal for solo work and expeditions
Choose the right airtime
Contracts, prepaid, and usage planning to avoid bill shock
Compare your options
Simple matrix to make the tradeoffs clear.
Quick answers
The questions people ask before they check out.
Satellite Phones
Satellite phones provide dependable voice and SMS when mobile networks fail. The right choice depends on coverage, trip length, and whether built-in SOS features are important.
Top tip: For short or occasional trips, renting can reduce cost and admin while keeping full satellite capability.
Knowledge hubs
Iridium Satellite Phone Knowledge Hub
Hotspots and Internet
Satellite hotspots keep laptops, tablets, and teams connected beyond mobile coverage. The best option depends on location, users, and realistic data needs.
Top tip: Messaging is light, video and uploads are heavy. Coverage and line of sight matter as much as the device.
Knowledge hubs
Iridium GO! Knowledge Hub
Tracking and SOS
Satellite trackers and communicators provide location sharing, check-ins, and SOS support without relying on mobile networks.
Top tip: Decide early if you need two-way messaging, or if simple tracking and emergency alerting is enough.
Airtime and SIMs
Airtime determines how you actually use your satellite device. The right plan helps control cost and avoids paying for capacity you won’t use.
Top tip: Seasonal users should choose plans that scale up and down rather than staying on high monthly costs.
Compare the main options
See at a glance how different devices stack up.
| Category | Satellite Phone | Hotspot and Internet | Tracking and SOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Voice calls and SMS in remote areas | Data connectivity, WiFi sharing for devices | Location sharing, check-ins, SOS workflows |
| Best for | Emergency comms, logistics, travel backup | Remote work, teams, uploads, operations | Lone workers, expeditions, safety protocols |
| Typical learning curve | Low to medium | Medium | Low |
| Ongoing cost drivers | Minutes and SMS Predict with a plan | Data volume Set expectations | Subscription features Keep it simple |
| When it is the wrong choice | You mainly need internet and file transfer | You only need emergency voice backup | You need long voice calls regularly |
Trusted when it matters
Buying satellite kit can feel technical. This page is designed to make it simple, so you can choose with confidence, and you reduce pre-sale friction.
“Fast advice, no fluff. We picked the right kit in one call.” Field operations customer
“The guide made it obvious which option fit our trip, and why.” Adventure travel customer
“Clear airtime guidance, no surprises on cost.” Team manager
“Simple safety setup tips we had not considered.” Lone worker customer
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need airtime for every satellite device?
Phones and data devices typically require airtime. Some SOS devices rely on subscriptions for features like tracking and messaging. If in doubt, treat airtime as part of the total cost, not an optional extra.
What should I check about coverage?
Check where you're going is served by the network of your device. For example, if you buy a Thuraya device, you will need to make sure you are not trying to operate it in the Americas, as Thuraya's coverage doesn't extend that far. Iridium and Inmarsat provide global and near-global coverage, respectively.
Rent or buy?
Renting suits short trips, projects, and one-off deployments. Buying suits regular use, teams, and long-term planning. The phone guide can help you make this call quickly.
How do I avoid spending too much on airtime?
Estimate realistic usage, then pick the plan style that fits it. Set behaviour rules for data usage, and avoid overbuying capacity just in case if your usage is truly occasional.
Can you help me choose?
Of course! Our product experts are always happy to help. Simply call or email, and we will be able to advise the best device for your needs.