Satellite Phone Equipment

Which Satellite Phone? How to choose the right system?

There are a number of satellite phone systems on the market. The main systems are highlighted below:

The Iridium satellites are a network of 66 low earth orbit satellites providing complete global coverage.
Portable phones and fixed installed terminals are available
Offers low speed data
NEW! Iridium 9555 portable satellite phone

Uses 4 fixed orbit satellites (3 on FleetBroadband) to offer near global coverage (except polar regions)
Varying sizes of antenna gives options for all but the smallest yachts
Data speeds (and availability) dependent on antenna size. Ranges from low speed to ISDN rates.

Uses a network of 48 low earth orbit satellites
Not global coverage, but includes main European and Med land and waters, an almost complete Atlantic crossing and coverage of the Caribbean
Mobile phone like quality and slightly faster internet access speeds.
Low cost handset ideal for emergency storage, with cheaper airtime rates from around �0.40/min

Not global coverage, but covers main European land and waters and most of Africa
Mobile phone like quality and slightly faster internet access speeds.
Can use a GSM SIM card to make normal mobile calls when there is coverage
Low cost handset ideal for emergency storage, with cheaper airtime rates

	Iridium	Inmarsat BGAN	Inmarsat Fleet Broadband	Globalstar	Thuraya
Smallest Unit	Handheld	"Laptop" size	25cm dome	Handheld	Handheld
Coverage	Global	"Global" excpt poles	"Global" excpt poles	Limited (and land/coastal)	Limited (and land/coastal)
Call costs	Medium (around $1.50/min)	Medium ($1.10 - $1.50/min)	Medium ($1.30 - $1.80/min)	Low	(Variable)
Indicated data speed	2.4Kb/s	"broadband" 284-496Kbs	"broadband" 284-496Kbs	9.6Kb/s	9.6Kb/s
Approx basic system price (guideline only)	�1,000	�1,300 upwards	�5,500 upwards	�400	�400

If you are looking for a compact global solution which will work across the Atlantic and beyond, then consider Iridium.
For European waters, higher call quality consider Thuraya or Inmarsat BGAN (portable broadband!)
For "larger" yachts looking for global coverage and faster and more cost effective internet access consider Inmarsat Fleet Broadband.

Drop us an email (info@mailasail.com) and tell us a little about your requirements including:

...and we will be happy to give you more specific advice, and a quote for ALL the equipment you will need.

Don't forget:

if you are planning on using email and internet access then you should check out our Email Compression system - "Express Mail"
If you are worried or unsure about setting everything up (with our email support) then you can always purchase our professional installation service and we will install everything and give you full training on how to use the equipment