satellite phones

[Billy Griffin]

Anyone using these, even outside of chasing, perhaps for work, personal?
If so, other than high costs, are you happy with their performance?

Doing a lot of remote traveling through the state of Alaska, the Iridium 9505A has been recommended as well as subscribing to the Iridium service. Looks like as far as coverage goes, the Iridium service IS worldwide.

Globalstar is a little cheaper, but I hear they have been losing satellites and are on their way out.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Anyone using these, even outside of chasing, perhaps for work, personal?
If so, other than high costs, are you happy with their performance?

Doing a lot of remote traveling through the state of Alaska, the Iridium 9505A has been recommended as well as subscribing to the Iridium service. Looks like as far as coverage goes, the Iridium service IS worldwide.

Globalstar is a little cheaper, but I hear they have been losing satellites and are on their way out.

A client of mine just got back from a trip to the artic circle with one. I'll check and see what he rented and how it performed...

 

[Jay Cazel]

Anyone using these, even outside of chasing, perhaps for work, personal?
If so, other than high costs, are you happy with their performance?

Doing a lot of remote traveling through the state of Alaska, the Iridium 9505A has been recommended as well as subscribing to the Iridium service. Looks like as far as coverage goes, the Iridium service IS worldwide.

Globalstar is a little cheaper, but I hear they have been losing satellites and are on their way out.

Billy, I have a Globalstar phone, and it works well. Globalstar from what I have kept up with is putting new satellites in orbit Iridum is not, and they put a new station up in Alaska to make the coverage for that area better.

My plan is the $65 a month one I get 200 minutes a month, voicemail, data there is no long distance charge and I also get a US phone number.

One nice thing about Iridium is that you can get prepaid service so if you only need a phone for a few weeks that is nice, Globalstar does not do prepaid, But you can rent one.

Globalstar phones are cheaper and now the new Qualcomm GSP 1700 just came out so the Qualcomm GSP 1600 (like what I have) are really coming down in price.

LEO's (Low Earth Oribit) satellites that both Globastar and Iridium make it sound like you are on a cell phone so there is really no delay.

One thing, it can take a few minutes (or longer) to get a singal from the satellite, it is not like a cell phone where you turn it on and in less that 30 seconds you can make a call.

When I looked into Iridium vs Globalstar (for hurricane chasing) one thing that made the differance was the data. Globastar has faster and more relibale data than Iridium.

This is where I got my phone http://www.outfittersatellite.com/globalstar.htm
Very nice people and very helpful and can answer any questions on what you need.

http://www.globalstar.com/

Globalstar vs. Iridium Satellite Phones - Information
http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/satellite/telephones/index.html

Really there is nothing wrong with either company or service, just depends on what you need and where you are going.

 

[Billy Griffin]

Hey, thanks Jay! Good info.

From the people I've spoken with, most are telling me that being up so far north (AK), that it's probably best to go with the Iridium setup. Iridium, I guess, has more satellites or however it works... just seems to cover the entire globe (from what the resellers and service providers are telling me.)

Looks like the cost of the Iridium phone is initially higher, but you're right, I do like the pre-paid option with them. Purchase the minutes I need, and when back in the lower 48, don't have to worry about maintaining any type of contract when cellular is available.

Have you traveled to Alaska with your Globalstar, and if so, how well did it work?

 

[Jay Cazel]

No never been up that far north. The main difference is Iridium is global you can use it anywhere on the globe. Globalstar wont work at the poles. It is where the satellites are in orbit I think Iridium orbits at 65 degree, which will cover the north and south poles. Globalstar I think is at 48 degree oribit, which is lower than Iridium but gets a better siginal.
But with that prepaid option makes Iridium nice since you don't need to have a year contact with Globastar.