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By: Steve Armstrong
What is a Satellite phone
A telephone that transmits and receives via satellites that provide
coverage around the whole world. There are two major satellite phone
companies that provide services to the end user: Iridium and Globalstar,
and a newer, smaller one: Thuraya.
Let’s take a look at the satellite phone providers:
Iridium
It uses low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and provides phone and pager
service that has global coverage. Internet access is available at 10
Kbps, while data access is available at 2.4 Kbps. It was announced in
1990 and finalized in 1998 with a total cost of $6 billion, Iridium was
the first global satellite phone service. To provide standard cell phone
service, the system originally used cellular partners when satellites
were not required.
Globalstar
Covering roughly 80% of the world's surface, this satellite-based
communications company offers voice and short messaging services.
Globalstar used LEO satellites and handheld phones just after Iridium,
but they were the first to use the high quality QUALCOMM's CDMA
technology. With support for one or two cellular modes and satellite,
Globalstar phones let you use all the standard facilities when possible
and, while in remote areas, switch to the satellites. The Globalstar
service was pulled out in late 1999.
Thuraya
National telecommunication operators and international investment houses
founded Thuraya in 1997. It’s home base is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates. The satellite was built by the Boeing Satellite Systems
formerly known as Hughes. On October 20, 2000 the Sea Launch Zenti-3SL
rocket lifted off the Odyssey Launch Platform. It delivered the Thuraya
satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit, which weighed 11,260 pound.
The United Kingdom, Denmark, Sudan, Romania, and Italy were the first
countries in which the system was tested. The second satellite,
Thuraya-2, was shipped from the Boeing facility to the Sea Launch
Company, in order to be placed in orbit, in early June 2003. This is
positioned over the Pacific Ocean, on the Equator line. Currently, the
Thuraya system covers over 100 countries in the Middle East, Europe,
Africa and Asia.
Why use a satellite phone?
First and most important, the satellite phones cover a wide area, and
the Iridium phones, actually, the whole planet. Second, since, the early
2000, the costs of these type of phones has dropped dramatically, making
them more accessible to the public. Third, while they use satellites for
remote areas of the planet, when in populated areas, they switch to
regular cellular antennas, thus making them even cheaper. Fourth, and
this is valid only for the Globalstar system, the technology their
phones use is high-end, increasing the data transfer speed and making it
possible to receive faxes or e-mail wherever you are. Fifth, and maybe
the most important, with the constant terrorist threat looming over
every business’s head, if the normal, cellular network fails (in case of
a bomb attack), the satellite phones, will not.
Why NOT use a satellite phone?
As useful as the satellite phones may be, they still have a few
downsides, when comparing them to the usual cellular phones. Their data
speed would be one of the downsides, since, it’s far smaller then of the
regular cell-phones, even if constantly increasing. Another downside is
their bulky appearance and weight.
Overall, if you must go somewhere remote, such as on safari or scuba
diving on a remote island, or if you just want to be sure that no matter
what you can speak with your business partners then satellite phones are
the answer.
Article Source:
http://www.articledashboard.com
Steve Armstrong is editor of
www.cheapsatellitephones.net
a website dedicated to satellite phone information and resources
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