SAT Phone Service Providers?

[Morgandy]

Hi all,

I looked for SAT phone forums and was directed to this site...hope this is place to post.

I am getting an Inmarsat IsatPhone, any recommdations for lowest cost providers? I will be going to Iceland, Newfoundland, southern Yukon, etc...

Thx for any recommendations.

[Paul Elliott]

Iceland? Inmarsat doesn't cover that far north. Here's the coverage chart:


Our coverage - Inmarsat

I would look at Iridium, instead. I've used Outfitter Satellite and Global Marine Networks for Iridium gear and service.

Iridium Satellite Phones by Outfitter Satellite Phones

Satellite Phones

[Morgandy]

I thought specs said global coverage, it is a used like-new phone for only $425. Can't afford anything much more. I will keep searching eBay and Amazon I guess.

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

Iceland? Inmarsat doesn't cover that far north. Here's the coverage chart:


Our coverage - Inmarsat

I would look at Iridium, instead. I've used Outfitter Satellite and Global Marine Networks for Iridium gear and service.

Iridium Satellite Phones by Outfitter Satellite Phones

Satellite Phones

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by Morgandy

Hi all,

I looked for SAT phone forums and was directed to this site...hope this is place to post.

I am getting an Inmarsat IsatPhone, any recommdations for lowest cost providers? I will be going to Iceland, Newfoundland, southern Yukon, etc...

Thx for any recommendations.

Hi Morgandy,

Paul already provided the info you need to help make a better choice.

We play in higher latitudes as well, and Iridium has the coverage. [You don't want to limit your wandering to your communications boundaries...]

The strategy needs to be pick the coverage [Iridium] then find a phone that works on that network.

Here is our Satellite Communications page describing our strategy, what we chose, and why- in case it is useful for you.

Best wishes finding what is best for you.

Cheers!

Bill

PS: Welcome to the forum...

[Pizzazz]

Also, consider the Delorme InReach communicator. It is a messaging device only, but cheap, reliable, global (uses the Iridium network). You can get unlimited text messaging for $50 a month and go to lower plans when you do not need it. I believe two way text messaging is more useful than a phone if you are on a budget.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

[careka]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

Iceland? Inmarsat doesn't cover that far north. Here's the coverage chart:


Our coverage - Inmarsat

I would look at Iridium, instead. I've used Outfitter Satellite and Global Marine Networks for Iridium gear and service.

Iridium Satellite Phones by Outfitter Satellite Phones

Satellite Phones

Well the map clearly shows that Iceland is OK, an I know that it works on Svalbard also that is north of the map.

[omc]

Originally Posted by wrwakefield

Hi Morgandy,

Paul already provided the info you need to help make a better choice.

We play in higher latitudes as well, and Iridium has the coverage. [You don't want to limit your wandering to your communications boundaries...]

The strategy needs to be pick the coverage [Iridium] then find a phone that works on that network.

Here is our Satellite Communications page describing our strategy, what we chose, and why- in case it is useful for you.

Best wishes finding what is best for you.

Cheers!

Bill

PS: Welcome to the forum...

I have read with great interest your satellite communication page which I found very useful and professional. Thank you.

[Morgandy]

Thanks so much for the info. I have started my search again for them, and Global Star seems to have a decent plan. The Iridium's are just too expensive for me, but will call them to find cheapest phones and rates, and other providers.

I will post here first for feedback before I make a decision what to go with.

Thanks again for all the input!!

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by omc

I have read with great interest your satellite communication page which I found very useful and professional. Thank you.

Thank you for your kind comment, Olivier.

Santé!

Bill

[ka4wja]

Morgandy,
I would suggest that you peruse the many recent "sat phone" threads here....where you will learn a lot...

But, until then....

Fact is that Globalstar is a very poor choice....as they have very limited coverage (if any) in/near Iceland!!!
(and actually rather poor "phone" coverage in many areas that they actually say they have coverage...

Originally Posted by Morgandy

I have started my search again for them, and Global Star seems to have a decent plan. The Iridium's are just too expensive for me, but will call them to find cheapest phones and rates, and other providers.

You never mentioned your need/application for a sat phone, but assuming you do need a sat phone in Iceland (where there is good cell coverage), Iridium IS THE WAY TO GO!!

If Iridium doesn't fit your budget, perhaps you could let us know what your communications application is, AND what your budget is....and we could actually recommend something???


Fair winds...

John

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by careka

Well the map clearly shows that Iceland is OK, an I know that it works on Svalbard also that is north of the map.

Oops, I was looking at Svalbard on the map. This is why I post my sources whenever possible!

[Morgandy]

Thanks, I will be using it in remote places as I said, emerncies only.

I have looked into Global Star. They offer 'free' phone if you pay their $800 / 12 month plan for $800, with 1200 units. Then another $150 for taxes. Fees and shipping. So, 950 would be the priice. I would like something in the $600 -$800 range, total, with the same 1200. I only need calling and texting on it.

.Ths will be at least a year long trip, I am not worried about Iceland,p but Newfoundland, Labrador, all the way to the Yukon, BC, etc.., is where I may need it most. I should be fine all through the U.S.


Thanks to all of you for helping for me out out.