A satellite phone is a type of mobile phone that uses orbiting satellites instead of the terrestrial tower for communication. They have similar usage and functionality as that of terrestrial mobile phones or telephones. Inmarsat is a British satellite telecommunication company that founded the first satellite phone in 1979. It developed the satellite phones for use in ships. Since then many telecommunication operators have entered the satellite phone communication technology and the present era has loads of satellite phone options to choose from.
How satellite phones work
Satellite phones work by making use of the network of geostationary satellites or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites can be at distance ranging from 500 to 1000 miles from the earth. The satellite phones use microwave antennas that receive signals from satellite networks. The LEO satellite phones provide worldwide wireless communication over the phone without any signal gap. They are more popular than geostationary satellite phones and are used all over the world in various fields. The first LEO satellite phone was launched by Motorola in 1997 to provide worldwide coverage.
Usages of satellite phones
Satellite phones have many different applications and are used in many professions and fields. Some of the most common usages of satellite phones are:
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Perhaps the most common and necessary application of satellite phones is in marine vessels and ships. Ships and vessels travel in the ocean. Communication is of immense importance for ships and vessels for the purposes of weather reports, distress calls in case of an emergency and location updates. There is hardly any terrestrial phone signals are available. This makes satellite phones the best option out there.
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Satellite phones are heavily used in the military. Satellite phones communicate directly via satellites and hence it is difficult to trace or tap them. It has the capability of providing a greater level of communication privacy as compared to terrestrial phones. The most astounding feature of satellite phones is that they can work in any part of the globe and it makes easier it for a military of any country to communicate even from the most remote place of the earth. Therefore it is used in the military all over the world.
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Satellite phones can be used for communication in any part of the globe regardless of habitation and accessibility. They use satellite signals and hence don’t depend upon the availability of terrestrial towers. Due to this, it is used by most of the mountaineers while hiking. There is no phone signal available at such high altitudes and hence cell phones and other terrestrial phones can’t be used. But as satellite phones directly communicate via satellites, it works perfectly even at such high altitudes.
Benefits of satellite phones
Satellite phones can work anytime anywhere. Remote places of the earth don’t have telephone signals and hence terrestrial phones can’t be used there. But there is no such issue with satellite phones as they directly communicate via satellites. They can be used anywhere on the earth. The list doesn’t end here. Satellite phones can work in a situation when land-based communication networks fail. Such situations include natural calamities like earthquakes, cyclone, etc, war, political breakdown, etc. They come with external antennas for ensuring strong signals anytime anywhere. Communication is extremely important in such situations to restore normalcy and satellite phones play their part.
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Satellite phones are tough and rugged. They are manufactured keeping in mind adverse situations and weather conditions. It is a true and well-accepted notion that satellite phones are used where land-based communication phones can’t work. So they have to be rugged, strong and durable. Most of the satellite phones are extremely tough, water and dust resistant and even heat resistant.
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Satellite phones have worldwide usage. They are capable of working anywhere in the world. They are not restricted up to the boundaries of nations and can be used anywhere. So whether you are in Antarctica or Sahara desert, you can use satellite phone for calling or SMS.
How to choose a satellite phone for yourself
Satellite phones are available in many price range, features and usages. There are some important factors that you must consider while buying a satellite phone for yourself.
Those factors are-
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Cost- Satellite phones come in many price brackets. The prices differ according to the features, usages and capabilities of satellite phones.
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Coverage requirements: Many satellite phones are restricted for use on the regional basis for safety and legal issues. You must choose a satellite phone according to your location if using.
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Features: Features like GPS, tracking, Bluetooth, wifi, etc. are not available across all the models of satellite phones. You must choose a satellite phone according to the features that you want.
3 best satellite phones
There is a wide variety of satellite phones available in the market. Here is the list of three best satellite phones that you must definitely consider:
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BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2: This satellite phone tops the PrizedReviews list of best satellite phones. Its excellence can be attributed to its features, capabilities and build quality. It has all the capabilities and features of a basic satellite phone and is available at a relatively lower price. Its calling and SMS capabilities can be relied upon even in the toughest of situations. You can use it anywhere and at any time. It is extremely rugged and is IP65 certified water and dust resistant. It even allows data transfer via USB cable. It one of the best options for naval usages.
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Iridium 9575 Extreme: This satellite phone is another gem in the field of communications. Its build quality complies with military standards. It has strong signal receptors. Due to its awe-inspiringly strong build quality and strong signal receptors, it is best for adventures like mountaineering, parkouring and military usages.
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Thuraya XT Pro: This satellite phone is best for usage in emergency conditions. It has an SOS button that directly connects you to an emergency service even if it is off. It comes with the durable build quality.
