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Rex
Strong
Telecommunications Editor
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The
Big Debate Satellite Phones vs. Cell Phones
There are several factors that differentiate satellite
phones from cell phones. How they work, their utility
and cost just to name a few.
Functionality Differences
Cellular phones or cell phones use small stations or
towers known as ‘cells’ from which they receive
their signals and to which they send signals.
As the user moves from one destination to the next,
his call or his cellular service is passed on from cell
to the next. The mobile handset is thus in continuous
connectivity with the different cells of the network
provider and the individual can talk on the move. This
is thus known as mobile connectivity.
Satellite phones on the other hand, do not use ‘cells’ or
towers. They work with satellites orbiting the Earth.
These Low Earth Orbiting or LEO satellites receive signals
from the satellite phone handsets and send signals to
these handsets as required. The satellite phones send
signals to the satellite, which passes it on to a gateway.
The gateway routes the calls to the receiver. Also, all
calls made to the satellite phones are routed via the
satellites.
Differences In Area Coverage
Cellular phone companies generally provide network coverage
in densely populated areas. Since the companies have
to set up ‘cells’ to be able to provide coverage,
they need a high number of subscribers to justify setting
up the cell. In thinly populated areas or remote areas
with difficult terrains, the cost of providing coverage
is often more than the expected returns. Hence, while
cell phones work great in densely populated areas, they
may or may not work in inaccessible locations.
Satellite phones communicate with the LEO satellites
and not with any ‘cells’ on Earth. Hence,
the coverage provided by satellite phone companies is
far greater than that provided by cellular phone companies.
Since satellite companies don’t have to set up
cells from destination to destination, they offer service
in a wider area and some even offer it across the globe.
Usability Differences
Cell phones have become an absolute necessity for practically
all urban residents. In fact, a large number of people
are opting to have cell phones instead of the traditional
landlines. Cell phones are perfect to use while on the
move in metropolitan cities. For marketing and sales
executives, employees, CEOs, managers, mothers, students
and almost all people in different walks of life – cell
phones provide a high value service. They are also a
great option to surf the net, listen to music and exchange
photos. In short, cell phones have become the single
all-purpose media electronic instrument of the 21st century.
Satellite phones on the other hand, are perfect for
use in remote and thinly populated areas where cellular
companies do not provide network coverage. Satellite
phones are also extremely handy in situations when cellular
networks go down. Such situations generally arise in
times of natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes
and floods when the ‘cells’ that route calls
are damaged.
Satellite phones have the advantage in such conditions
since natural disasters do not affect the LEO satellites.
Hence while cellular phone networks are down, satellite
phones continue to function as normal. This has indeed
saved many lives in the recent past.
Satellite phones are also the perfect option for companies
that have research laboratories or departments in isolated
areas like Alaska, Siberia and Antartica. Adventurers
who frequently travel to densely populated tropical forests,
high mountain areas and across oceans also prefer the
better coverage provided by satellite phones.
Differences In Cost
As is to be expected, cellular phones are far cheaper
to operate and maintain than satellite phones. The cellular
phone handsets as well as the subscription plans offered
by cellular service providers are extremely affordable
and cost barely a few cents per minute.
Satellite phones on the other hand are expensive. The
satellite phone hand sets or the fixed satellite phone
sets cost a pretty penny as does the satellite phone
service provided by leaders in the industry like Iridium
and Globalstar. At an average satellite phones can cost
anything from $600 to $1000 with costs going up to $1.50
per minute for talktime.
Thus, cell phones and satellite phones are both a boon
to the world of communication and both service users
in different ways and under differing conditions.
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