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Buying Guide for Satellite communications devices
At Global Telesat Communications we sell a range of satellite communications and tracking products and use various satellite networks including Globalstar, Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya. Making a decision on the most suitable product to use can be confusing so we have created these buying guides to help you find the perfect satellite communications product for your requirements. If you need assistance before making a purchase please call us on 0800 112 3919 to discuss your requirements.
Things to Remember About Satellite Phones
When it comes to purchasing a satellite phone, it is important to remember that they operate differently to everyday smartphones, and may not work in any one location. Some satellite phones have global coverage, however, it is important to check the network's coverage beforehand so you know which regions get the best reception. The more advanced models come with integrated tracking functions and SOS abilities for emergencies, so you will need to decide whether aspects like this are necessary for your trip before departure. Finally, if you want to make more than just voice calls while you are away, you should choose a satellite phone that comes with the ability to send basic data packages such as emails, which some of our handsets do.
Satellite Phones Comparison
Discover how the top satellite phones compare!
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| Compare | Iridium Extreme | Iridium 9555 | IsatPhone 2 | Thuraya X5 Touch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) Inc. VAT | £1,537.45 | £1,274.65 | £1,077.60 | £1,246.80 |
| Network | Iridium | Iridium | Inmarsat | Thuraya |
| Coverage | Global | Global | Near Global | EMEA & APAC Regions |
| Weight | 247g | 266g | 316g | 262g |
| Dimensions | 14.0 x 6.0 x 2.7cm | 14.3 x 5.5 x 3.0cm | 16.9 x 7.5 x 2.9cm | 14.5 x 7.8 x 2.4cm |
| Battery Life | 4hr talk / 30hrs standby | 3hr talk / 30hrs standby | 8hr talk / 160hrs standby | 11hr talk / 100hrs standby |
| Antenna | Retractable omni-directional | Retractable omni-directional | Fold-out directional | Omnidirectional |
| Display | 1.9" Monochrome | 1.9" Monochrome | 2.3" Colour | 2.7" HD LCD Touchscreen |
| Drability | IP65 | N/A | IP65 | IP67 |
| Ingress Protection | MIL-STD 810F | N/A | IK04 | MIL 810 |
| Network | 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites | 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites | 3 Geostationary satellites | 2 Geosynchronous satellites |
| SMS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | N/A | Yes | GPS/BeiDou/Glonass |
| Interfaces | Mini USB, Audio | Micro USB, Bluetooth | Micro-SD, 2x Nano SIM | |
| Data Connectivity | Yes, via USB or AccessPoint | Yes, via USB or AccessPoint | Yes, via USB or AccessPoint | Yes, via USB or AccessPoint |
| Data Speed (Circuit Switched) | 9.6 Kbps | 9.6 Kbps | 9.6 Kbps | 9.6 Kbps |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Learn More | Iridium Extreme | Iridium 9555 | IsatPhone 2 | Thuraya X5 Touch |
SATELLITE PHONE RENTAL: UNLEASHING COMMUNICATION WHEREVER YOU GO
Here at GTC, we not only offer some of the market’s leading satellite phone hardware and services for purchase
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE ON USING SATELLITE PHONES TO STAY CONNECTED
Satellite phones are mobile communication devices that rely on satellites to make and receive calls
Where Do You Want to Use Your Satellite Phone?
Features and dimensions aside, you need to think about whether you might need to use a satellite phone on-the-go, for example, in a car, on a boat, or even in an aeroplane. If so, we offer a range of satellite phone accessories such as docking stations or mounts, giving you the ability to use your satellite phone completely handsfree.
On The Road
Enjoy handsfree satellite communications on-the-go by attaching a satellite phone to a vehicle docking station. Whether you’re travelling by car, truck, or other road vehicle, we offer a range of accompanying accessories to transform your communications strategy when the situation turns mobile.
At Sea
One of the most popular ways to use satellite phones is on the open water to keep in touch with those back ashore or other vessels at sea. Sat phones and hotspots can be attached to masts for easy portability in marine environments.
In The Air
Due to the reliable nature of our satellite phones and the coverage that comes with them, it does not matter if you are at heights of 30,000ft, you can still make reliable voice calls or data connections from the cockpit of aircraft to reassure those back on the ground.
Great Outdoors
General purpose land usage of our satellite phones is hugely popular with our customers, from lone workers operating in remote woodland areas, to extreme sports challenges where communication between race marshalls is key to addressing potential emergency situations.
Best Sat Phone Plans
| Satellite Phone Plans | Included | Activation Fee | Monthly Fee | Minimum Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iridium Seasonal 10 | 10 minutes & SMS | $10.00 | $74.00 | 3 months | |
| Iridium Starter 25 | 25 minutes & SMS | $10.00 | $82.00 | 1 month | |
| Inmarsat Standard | 10 minutes* | $25.00 | $25.00 | 3 months | |
| Inmarsat Allowance 20 | 20 minutes* | $25.00 | $66.00 | 3 months | |
| Thuraya Plus | n/a | $42.00 | $42.00 | 1 month | |
| Thuraya Allowance | n/a | $49.00 | $63.00 | 1 month |
Satellite Phone FAQs
Satellite phones bridge the voice and data communication gap between remotely-operating teams and individuals and key contacts back home. They operate beyond the reach of traditional mobile signal, meaning they can be used in even the most remote or hostile regions from warzones to coordinating rescue missions at the scenes of natural disasters.
We strongly recommend you asses your individual situation before deciding whether to buy or rent a satellite phone. If you only need the device for a matter of days or weeks, we highly advise renting as it will be much cheaper for you. However, if you plan on using a sat phone for an extended period of time, and not just on an adhoc excursion i.e. you will use it again in future, then consider purchasing the handset and paying for airtime as and when you need it.
No. Satellite phone SIM cards are tied to one number and one satellite phone handset.
We don’t often run out of satellite phone stock so, depending on location, should be able to ship by the next working day. If in doubt or placing a bulk order, feel free to give us a call and we can always confirm over the phone what our stock levels are.
All of our satellite phones come with far-reaching network coverage, however, if you need truly global reach, Iridium is the world’s only network provider that offers coverage to any location in the world
Satellite phones come with their own varying monthly contract rates. They do not explicitly carry roaming or long-distance charges as they will typically be used from far-flung locations. Please check the monthly contract rates tables on our website to get a sense of the different rates.
Yes, on our eBay website, we offer a great stock of used or ex-demo devices for very cost-effective prices.
Depending on how you intend to use your satellite phone, whether it’s in a vehicle or on a boat for example, we have a range of accessories to attach sat phones to dashboards or masts for extra portability.
Coverage varies depending on which network provider your satellite phone operates under. For example, Iridium’s network coverage is truly global, where Thuraya’s covers EMEA & APAC regions, so we advise against using Thuraya phones in the Americas and southern Africa.
It might vary from one satellite phone to another, but the general rule when dialing to a landline is to dial 00, followed by the country code, followed by the actual phone number. There may be a slight delay while the call registers.