satellite phones

[Heidi at]

Hi All,
Just wondering how many of you in your travels around Australia especially to the more remote area have purchased a satellite phone. Do you think it is worth the outlay and if so what type do you have?

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Hi @Heidi at, in wouldn't travel without one.

Being a member of an emergency service means I have seen just what can go wrong. Being able to communicate wherever you are gives you real peace of mind.

Have a look at these threads for a few more details

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/wifi-internet-access-while-travelling.6630/#post-108127

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/satellite-phone-hire-or-long-term-plan.6501/#post-105682

 

[crackacoldie]

@Heidi at I have a Sat Phone through Telstra, cost was high and plan is $35/month. We are currently trialling the sat sleeves at work, they are a sat addition to your IPhone or Android. Cost is $750 outlay and $15/month. Best is it picks up if there is a mobile network so you are not paying for expensive sat calls when you don't need to

 

[Bellbirdweb]

@Heidi at I have a Sat Phone through Telstra, cost was high and plan is $35/month. We are currently trialling the sat sleeves at work, they are a sat addition to your IPhone or Android. Cost is $750 outlay and $15/month. Best is it picks up if there is a mobile network so you are not paying for expensive sat calls when you don't need to

The sat sleeves are a great concept, you get to use your normal phone with a sat phone attached to the back.

The only negative to the sat sleeve is that it is on the Thuraya network which is to the North of Aus over Asia.

This can mean the further South you go, the less chance of a successful connection.

They aren't much good in Tassie.

I tossed up between the sat sleeve and the isatphone pro, and in the end went for the isatphone pro simply to guarantee I had coverage whereever I go.

 

[coled1970]

We purchased the Iridium 9575 Extreme for our travels, hooked up to Telstra plan at $30 a month with $10 worth of included calls.
Calls are reasonable and any one calling its a fraction dearer than a mobile call.
We don't go anywhere without it.
If you look into it there was (not sure if still available) a sat phone subsidy. You could get 50% off your phone if you were going to be out of mobile coverage for 3 months or 85% if out of coverage longer.
Due to our travels we got the 50% off which i was very happy with.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

If you look into it there was (not sure if still available) a sat phone subsidy. You could get 50% off your phone if you were going to be out of mobile coverage for 3 months or 85% if out of coverage longer.
Due to our travels we got the 50% off which i was very happy with.

Unfortunately the satellite phone subsidy scheme finished on the 30th June 2014

 

[Heath74]

Picked up an Inmarsat about 3 years ago, on the subsidy. Clearly the sort of thing that you think long and hard about the $$ at the time. Looking back it's been a great investment. Reminds me I must check the call balance prior to our next trip.

I'd recommend them

 

[Redbarn]

Hi Heidi

I provide pediatric medical services to remote & regional communities 40% of my time. I use an Isathub system which enables multiple wireless devices iPhones, iPads, notebooks etc. to use either satellite phone or satellite broadband. I replaced my existing Inmarsat phone. This system is superb allowing my wife & I to simultaneously use phone & data via a wireless connection.

http://www.inmarsat.com/service/isathub/

Cheers
Rob

 

[Heidi at]

Hi Heidi

I provide pediatric medical services to remote & regional communities 40% of my time. I use an Isathub system which enables multiple wireless devices iPhones, iPads, notebooks etc. to use either satellite phone or satellite broadband. I replaced my existing Inmarsat phone. This system is superb allowing my wife & I to simultaneously use phone & data via a wireless connection.

http://www.inmarsat.com/service/isathub/

Cheers
Rob

While the Isathub system looks fantastic, I think it may be way more than we need and probably ot of our budget.
As the satellite phone is only for emergencies I might by one second hand or a brand new older Inmarsat phone.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

While the Isathub system looks fantastic, I think it may be way more than we need and probably ot of our budget.
As the satellite phone is only for emergencies I might by one second hand or a brand new older Inmarsat phone.

Yes I think the isathub might be a bit over the top for what you need.

You should still be able to find some isatphone pro's around. I paid $650 for the phone, and just recharge when needed.

If considering Iridium, they also have a device that acts as a wifi hotspot (that does voice as well) which is an Iridium Go. http://www.asta.net.au/satellite-communications-products/iridium-go-new-satellite-phone-hotspot

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Just thought I would bump this topic....
What do people use that is economical for the traveller that goes away in school holidays. 3-4 trips a year, for maximum 4 weeks. The plans seem pretty expensive, seems iridium may have the best coverage but their plans are frighteningly expensive...

@Holden_man Inmarsat has the most reliable coverage.

You can get the Isatphone Pro or the newer Isatphone 2 and have a prepaid SIM

I just put some credit on it before I go away.

It will receive calls and texts without credit.

I just purchased 76 of them for work.

 

[crackacoldie]

I now run a HF radio with VKS737, RFDS and Radtel. Cost is $200 per year with emergency help free. Calls to base stations and other radios are free, Calls to phones are 49c/30 seconds.

The company I was with were trialling sat sleaves that fitted onto smart phones. Not sure on purchase price, plans were $10 per month

 

[Bellbirdweb]

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The company I was with were trialling sat sleaves that fitted onto smart phones. Not sure on purchase price, plans were $10 per month

The sat sleeves are a really cool device, unfortunately they use the Thuraya network which is ok in Northern Australia but starts to get sketchy in Southern Aus and useless in Tasmania.

 

[coled1970]

We have the Iridium Extreme 9575, cost $30 a month with $10 worth of calls. We originally bought for our Corner trip but take it in the car for most trips regardless of where we go as there are still a lot of dead spots. You just never know when you might need it.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

How do you find the reception throughout Australia with the Inmarsat network @Bellbirdweb

Coverage is excellent all over the world and all parts of Australia.

Inmarsat is geostationary instead of low earth orbit, so you are on a single satellite the whole time.

I buy a $70 recharge which lasts 3 months, or $150 which lasts 6 months.

It can sit in the drawer for 12 months and not be used otherwise and it's not costing anything.

 

[Moto Mech]

We use a Iridium 9555, just scraped in with the subsidy last year.
Its friggen dear with the "no plan" deal we are on but it is peace of mind. Costs us $25/month plus calls(incoming and outgoing) but we are not on any plan, can cancel subscription or renew it at any time.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I have read the Inmarsat struggles a little bit in the lower part of the country, but looks to be better than Thuraya, have you noticed any drop off in reception down the bottom of the country. Looks like the Inmarsat satellite is sitting over PNG which is better than Thuraya which appears to be over Singapore.
From what I have read

Inmarsat - Hobart 45 degrees
Thuraya - Hobart 20 degrees

big difference!! Looks like Inmarsat has it over Thuraya !!

I haven't used mine in Tassie, however with a 45 degree line to the satellite, you shouldn't have any issues unless your at the bottom of a deep valley.

I have used it all the way from VIC to WA as well as in Christchurch, Vanuatu and Japan and never had an issue.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Picked up a second hand Iridium 9555 over the weekend in a Pelican Case.
Has anyone tried a std Telstra post paid SIM in their Iridium.

Haven't tried it, but it won't work

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Thx @Bellbirdweb,
been doing a bit of reading, and there are quite a few forums saying it does seem to work. Must be Telstra for Iridium, needs to be set for Global Roaming and must be Post Paid on a plan and not Pre Paid.
The latest forum I have read was March 2015 and they had success.

If it does work, Telstra have a $35/month casual plan that I could turn off and on as needed.

I'll be interested to hear if it does work.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

I use pivotel with a globalstar unit $30 month inc $15 worth of calls / month - as we do a few remote trips its worth keeping it