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Top Satellite
Phone Systems for
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Rex
Strong
Telecommunications Editor
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Top
4 Misakes To Avoid When Getting
a Satellite
Phone System
Once you have identified the need to own
a satellite phone whether for personal reasons, philanthropic
ones or commercial gains you also need to be cautious
about the phone you select.
Buying or renting a satellite phone requires you to
spend some amount of time researching the various options
available.
This is the only way to ensure that you buy what you
really need and want rather than what the salesperson
wanted to sell you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when getting a
satellite phone.
1. Buying or renting?
You need to decide whether you want to buy the satellite
phone and service outright or renting will suffice.
Generally, for one time or infrequent users, renting
is a cheaper and better option. However, for industries
such as aviation, oil and gas, mining, transportation,
government and military and maritime the only choice
is to buy. Don’t let the salesperson push you
into a decision. Evaluate the factors involved in renting
Vs buying a satellite phone and then choose.
2. Don’t confuse GSM with satellite phones
Some people may try to convince you that your requirements
will be fulfilled equally well with a GSM or Global
System for Mobile Communications phone. That may be
true. A GSM phone generally offers roaming worldwide
and is used by most global travelers. However, GSM
technology does not use satellites. Satellite phones
work even when the infrastructure is damaged or unavailable.
GSM phones are dependent on Earth based infrastructure
and landlines. Hence, in hard to reach areas and in
times of natural disasters, a GSM phone may stop working.
Your satellite phone won’t.
3. Check non coverage zones beforehand
While most satellite companies offer extensive coverage
and even global coverage including airways, oceans
and the polar regions there are some zones that are
blocked from the network. North Srilanka, Poland and
North Korea are some of the counties that are not covered
by many satellite phone companies. Also, different
plans offer coverage in different zones. So before
you buy a plan or a package that includes a bundled
plan, check if the zones you intend to visit are included
or not.
4. Evaluate the cost of the satellite phone, accessories
and package
When buying the satellite phone don’t just look
at the cost of the phone. While latest models cost about
$1500, a slightly older model can come much cheaper at
$1000. In addition to the phone itself you will need
to invest in satellite phone accessories like chargers,
extra batteries and protective cases. You will obviously
also need to buy airtime so estimate that cost as well.
Often people leap in and buy a satellite phone without
realizing all the other purchases they need to make.
This does not mean you cannot afford a satellite phone.
It simply means you may need to buy a cheaper model or
a used one.
Thus, with a little research and careful planning you
can ensure that you get the best deal only.
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