Satellite Phone Rental Options

Satellite phones are a reliable mode of communication in wilderness travel, airplanes, boating, safaris, and mountaineering in areas such as South Pole and North Pole and any other remote place on the earth. These phones are preferred in remote areas where the terrestrial cellular service is unavailable. A satellite phone uses orbiting satellites as a medium of communication unlike the cell phone which uses terrestrial cell towers. Hence a satellite phone can be used at any place on earth where there are no big obstructions like big buildings or trees. These phones would function perfectly well on hill tops or on high seas.

Satellite phone models and mobile phone models are not very different. Different satellite phone models are available from diverse brands. Some of the most used satellite phone models are Iridium 9555, Iridium 9505A, Globalstar GSP 1600, Globalstar GSP-1700, Thuraya SG-2510.

Some of the common features available in satellite phones are as follows:

• Standby time of 30+ hours
• Email and enhanced SMS capability
• Call History for received, missed and dialed calls
• Integrated speakerphone
• Illuminated 200-character display with volume, signal and battery meter
• Illuminated keypad
• Call timers help you manage costs
• SIM-based address book stores up to 155 entries
• Security Features: Keypad lock and SIM PIN lock
• 100-entry internal address book for phone numbers, email addresses and notes

Many of the above stated features are common in satellite phones. However, some models might have less or additional features depending on the model and satellite phone service provider. A satellite phone is powerful enough to cover complete earth within its range. However, most of the satellite phones provided to customers are intended to be used in specific zones. The best satellite service can be judged as per the area in which it is used.

You needn’t buy a satellite phone if you need it only for a short period. Satellite phones are available on rent, which can be as low as $8.99 per day or $199.80 per month. The satellite phone rentals also vary with the phone models. Depending on the geographical area of travel and the cost you can choose a satellite phone rental from any of the following satellite service providers

The Globalstar network uses 40 low earth orbit satellites that orbit at an altitude of 876 miles. The Globalstar satellite phone network covers most of the regions of the earth. The regions covered are North & South America, Northern Asia, The Middle East, Australia and Europe. Globalstar offers different satellite phones rental option starting from about $15 per day to about $195 per month. Any of the following options can be chosen depending on the duration of travel (all prices are approximate)

• $15 per day, with $1.5 per minute calling rate and roaming rate of about $2
• $60 per week with $1.5 per minute calling rate and roaming rate of about $2
• $195 per month with $5 per minute calling rate and roaming rate of about $2

Moreover, you can easily save money by purchasing prepaid airtime block. Each airtime block helps you to save money.  For example, 30 minute airtime can be bought at the rate of $1.2 per minute, saving about $30. Similarly buying a 90 minute airtime would save around $85 and buying a 180 minute airtime would save $100 by providing a per minute rate of $0.95.

Any additional minute after the airtime block is charged a standard rate of $1.49. The Airtime block does not include any roaming minutes.

Iridium satellite network uses 66 low earth orbit satellites, 485 miles above the sea level in polar orbits. Using low earth orbit satellites help cut round trip time. They also improve the phone call's quality. The Iridium satellite phone network is known for its global coverage. There is no place in the world where you can't receive a call from Iridium.

Iridium 9505A and Iridium 9555 are the two most widely used phones on iridium satellite phone networks. The Iridium 9555 models are newer and slimmer than the Iridium 9505A models. Typical rental plans offered by Iridium Satellite phone network vary from $8 per day for Iridium 9505A model to $14 for Iridium 9555 models. Similarly the monthly rental plans on these models would vary from $200 to $ 300 receptively.

The airtime can be purchased as per individual needs. For example, 50 minutes bundle can be purchased for approximately $80 - $100 or 200 minutes bundle can be purchased for about $230-$250. Purchasing higher number of minutes would be more economical.

The Thuraya satellite phone network covers the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, Central & Northern Africa and Indian subcontinent. Thuraya satellite phones transmit and receive calls using the geostationary satellite's 12.25-meter aperture reflector. These satellites use on-board digital signal processing to produce 200 spot beams that are redirected on orbit. This helps the satellite network to accommodate customer’s demands quickly. Moreover, the satellite phone signals are diverted to a terrestrial network or from one handheld unit to other, enabling the network to handle 13,750 voice calls simultaneously.

Thuraya satellite network offers different prepaid and postpaid plans. The prepaid plan costs about $100 and is valid for 12 months and the postpaid plan costs about $35 per month with a basic call rate of $1.8 per minute.

Thus, satellite phones can be of great use in remote areas where normal modes of communication are unavailable or are uneconomical. Satellite phones not only help in communication, but also help in saving lives of people undertaking dangerous expeditions and adventures. People fond of outdoor activities can use this equipment to stay in contact with their families and friends.