SATELLITE PHONES

8. Comparison of different satellite phones

1. Globalstar satellite phones

Globalstar is one of the widely used satellite phones that provides high-quality, low-cost voice and data services to businesses, services and individuals around the world.

Some of the globalstar phones are

Qualcomm GSP-1600
Qualcomm GSP-1700
Telit SAT-550
Telit SAT-600
Ericsson R-290

Qualcomm GSP-1600 Satellite phone

Comparison of globalstar satellite phone models

Phones	Weight	Dimensions	Battery Life	SMS and Email Options
GSP-1600	384g	177mm x 55mm x 48 mm	Standby Time : 19 hours Talk Time : 3.75 hours	Yes
GSP-1700	200g	135 x 55 x 37mm	Standby Time: up to 36 hours Talk Time: 4 hours	Yes

2. Iridium satellite phones

Iridium satellite phones are the only phones with truly global satellite voice and data service coverage - complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions).

Some of the Iridium phones are

Motorola 9500
Kyocera SS-66K
Kyocera SD-66K with KI-G100
Motorola 9505
Iridium 9505A
Iridium 9555

Iridium 9505a Satellite phone

Comparison of iridium satellite phone models

Phones	Weight	SMS	Email	Battery Life	Antenna
Motorola 9500	16.5oz	Yes	Available when purchased with data kit	16 hrs - standby 2 hrs - talktime	Extendible Antenna
Motorola 9505	14.5oz	Yes	Available when purchased with data kit	20 hrs - standby 2 hrs - talktime	Extendible 9.5 inch antenna
Iridium 9555	266.5g (9.4 oz)	Yes	Yes	30 hrs - standby 3.1hrs - talktime	Internal Antenna
Iridium 9505A	375g	Yes	Yes	20 hrs - standby 2 hrs - talktime	External Antenna

Iridium Call Tariff

The casual plan tariff (airtime charges) is as follows

Iridium to Iridium charges per minute - $1.98

Iridium call to PSTN or Mobile (originating within Australia & terminating outside Australia) - $3.30

Iridium call to another satellite network $22.00

SMS message $0.98

More details : http://www.iridiumphones.com.au/Call Plan Brochure - Post-paid.pdf

3. Thuraya satellite phones

Thuraya handsets are unique in their dual-mode feature and can operate in the thuraya satellite network and GSM 900 terrestrial mobile networks.

Some of the thuraya phones are

Thuraya SG-2520
Thuraya SO-2510
Thuraya Fixed Docking Unit (FDU2500)
Thuraya XT

Thuraya XT Satellite phone

Comparison of thuraya phone models

Phone

Resolution

Weight

Battery Life

GPRS capabilities

Phone memory

Thuraya SO-2510

128 x 128 pixels

130g

Talk time up to 2.4 hrs
Standby time up to 50 hrs

Downstream:
up to 60 Kbps
Upstream:
up to 15 Kbps

Up to 32 MB

Thuraya SG-2520

177 x 220 pixels,

180g

Talk Time up to 2.4 hrs
Standby time up to 50 hrs

Downstream:
up to 60 Kbps
Upstream:
up to 15 Kbps

Internal:
Up to 128 MB

External:
SD memory card

Thuraya XT Rugged

2 inch outdoor color display

193g

Long battery life - up to 6 hours talk-time (or)
up to 80 hours standby-time

Download/upload speeds of 60/15kbps

Not specified

Thuraya Call Tariff

Thuraya offers three types of airtime packages given below

1. Thuraya Prepay Voice Plan : enables the customers to credit their existing Thuraya account at any time, using scratch cards purchased from one of their service providers in more than 140 countries.

2. Thuraya Postpay Voice Plan : A Thuraya Postpay account provides monthly bills, meaning that the customer can use Thuraya handset now and pay later. Postpay offers unlimited usage without the need to top up credit.

3. ThurayaECO Voice Plan : ThurayaECO is a prepaid voice plan with very affordable satellite calling rates from 83 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

• US$0.50 per minute for calls to Thuraya

• US$0.75 per minute for calls to most mobile and landline destinations across the globe

• Affordable SIM pack price containing US$5 in credit

• 1 year SIM card validity with an option to extend

More details : http://www.thuraya.com/products/airtime-packages/prepaid

9. Satellite phone accessories:

Docking station: Docking station allows a sat phone to access satellite communications via standard analog phones or your company's PBX. When you need to leave the office, just undock your handset and take it with you. Never be out of touch again!
Solar Charger: A solar charger enables one to charge satellite phone without depending on electricity. It is possible to use the phone while it is being charged.
Wall Charger/Car Charger: Similar to those that are available with cellular phones. They are used to charge the sat phone battery using electricity.
Fixed Mount Antenna: This is used to create an indoor installation. Mount the antenna on your roof, run a cable and plug into sat phone. Note that a sat phone requires open area for communication with the satellite. Hence, for indoor use, one needs to mount the antenna outdoors.
Transportable Kit: This allows a satphone to be mounted within in transportable kit. For using the kit indoors, you may need to buy extendable outdoor antenna from the manufacturer.