What’s Iridium?

Greetings. I’m John Whitley and I’m the founder of SatellitePhoneSales.com.au, Australia’s number one on the web satellite communications retail outlet

One of the primary factors thousands of travelers travel to Australia annually is usually to go exploring. There are plenty of caves and remote spots in Australia that must be always a lot of enjoyment and you will always have a fantastic time when you’re in exploring. The one thing to think about is always that because these regions are often so remote, they are usually no service parts for mobile handsets.

Cell phones definitely is not going to get service, even the most expensive models you will find. When you are that deep in the Outback or exploring deep in the cave or even crevice, you should not expect cell phone towers to have the ability to offer the service you need to make a call. You might not plan to use your cell phone when you are out but you can’t predict what could happen.

There could be some reason you have to get hold of somebody for work reasons or perhaps over the top in the event of an urgent situation. In the event you fell or else hurt your self, the steer clear of most will be flailing your mobile phone around trying to get a signal.

Iridium Satellite Telephones

The Iridium satellite telephones are the best solution for this. This is one of the most significant satellite constellations providing voice and data coverage for satellite cell phones. Most people in Australia with sat phones rely on these mobile phones because they are so reliable and rugged.

Along with these satellite mobile phones you will never have that worry of being not able to get a signal since you know you always can. They might look similar to mobile phones however the way they work is much different. Rather than depending on cell phone towers as your regular cell phone does, the satellite telephone works because of satellites that are in orbit up in the sky.

You should always try to be in view on the sky when using your Iridium sat phone but you do not always have to be. Usually as long as you are outside the satellite signal will be strong enough to provide you with the service you need. Iridium is truly one of the world’s greatest worldwide mobile satellite companies and you can use one of those mobile phones no matter where in the world you may be. They are a market leading company and you know you can rely in these phones simply because they are used in such essential industries which includes aviation, military, mining, forestry and oil and gas.

As you are planning a trip to Australia and even if you are a native and wish to plan a trip to go exploring, having a satellite cell phone will become important. You don’t have to sign up for a contract plan and instead can select Pay As You Go if you know you will only be there for a short period of time. The Iridium satellite telephone usually takes no time at all to get signed up for and you can go with it right away.

Visit our web site to get more free of charge advice and also to understand all you have to to know about satellite phones.

Check out www.SatellitePhoneSales.com.au or call us on 1300 197 600

Tips on Buying a Used Satellite Phone

Communication systems have improved greatly enabling people to stay in touch with others even during adventures and off road driving experiences. When looking for an off road driving experience using a 4 wheel drive vehicle, most people want to stretch the limit as far as they can and go to the most remote areas possible.

This will give them the thrill that they are seeking when looking for an off road experience, however they are still required to communicate with an established base in order to ensure that they are safe and have not encountered any mishaps along the way. And although some off roaders don’t like to communicate, most prefer having the option to stay in touch with either members of their group or with the adventure planners.

The larger majority is the group of off roaders who only need to communicate when they are in trouble and need help. In addition, because sometimes someone may be injured and unable to communicate, most off road clubs require that their members communicate after a certain interval so that they know they are safe at all times.

In order to ensure efficient communication, buying a used satellite phone is sometimes necessitated. Usually a purchase is only required when a person is a regular off roader. If the adventure only takes place once or twice a year, it may be cheaper and more convenient to simply rent one.

When buying a used satellite phone, it’s important to ensure that it will serve the purpose it is intended to serve. Most off roaders do not go to very remote areas and a simple SAT phone works well enough for them. However, it is important to ensure that the used SAT phone will be good enough to cover the range one will be driving to.

Based on a person’s needs, they can even get a used SAT phone that covers more than one purpose and not only for off road adventure, but also for daily use. This means retaining one number that is used for both mobile and SAT reasons and therefore makes it easier for people to communicate.

Before buying a used satellite phone, an off road adventurer should explore all other options because satellite phones are expensive to buy and maintain. However, most adventurers realize that mobile phones may not be useful to them because their coverage is very limited. There are very few mobile phone network towers found in off road regions and this leaves certain gaps where there can be no communication using a regular mobile phone.

The bottom line is that buying a used satellite phone may be the only option for communication during an off road adventure. When purchasing it’s also important to be sure to subscribe to the appropriate calling plan. Although satellite phones offer reliable communication during the off road experience, they are expensive to maintain because of the many additional charges one may be required to pay in order to activate their accounts and keep them active. So really pay attention to particular needs and choosing a plan based on that.

See our website for more free advice and to learn all you need to know about satellite phones.

Visit www.SatellitePhoneSales.com.au or call us on 1300 197 600.

Tips and Benefits of Buying a Used Satellite Phone

There are many reasons a person may want to buy a satellite phone. Mostly, it’s because they have to travel to an area where mobile phone coverage is limited and they need to stay in communication. Satellite phones are obviously more expensive than regular mobile phones because of their versatility and their ability to keep people in communication regardless of their location.

Some of the activities that may necessitate buying a used satellite phone are sailing, mountain climbing or any other outback activities. This is mainly because mountainous regions have very limited mobile telephone coverage if any at all. Other than the mountain regions, people fishing in deep waters or skiing should carry satellite phones with them. It’s very important to have effective communication systems when in such areas because it eliminates the chance of extensive injury due to lack of communication.

Buying a used satellite phone may be more appropriate than buying a new one based on the cost. However, buyers should be careful to purchase the correct device to ensure that they invest in equipment that will work all the time without fail. Used SAT phones may not come with warranties but it is important to buy from a reliable source that offers some sort of guarantee that the equipment will work as required.

One should treat buying a satellite phone the same way they treat buying a mobile phone as the concept is almost the same. This is in terms of choosing the device itself, then choosing a service provider and finally the plan that will work best.

Before buying the satellite phone, one should also consider the reasons for the purchase. If it’s for small adventures such as camping and outback activities, a simple one can be used. However, if the activity takes you to an entirely remote area, buy the correct device so that it does not fail when it’s needed most.

Although many people prefer renting as opposed to buying a used satellite phone, there are far more advantages associated with buying than renting. If using the phone on just a single occasion, then renting may be the better option. However, if one will need to use their satellite phone on a regular basis, buying the phone may not only be cheaper in the long run but it will also be more convenient it will always be available whenever needed.

In addition, buying a used satellite phone allows the owner to purchase several package deals that are offered every so often. When renting, the existing plan on the SAT phone has to be used and there is rarely an option to change it. This could mean spending more than would be necessary, especially if the phone will be used only for emergencies. In the end buying a used satellite phone might be even less expensive than a week long rental and in many cases, the phone can be sold to someone else if there comes a time it’s not needed any more!

How Can I Recieve An SMS or Text Message to My Satellite Phone Without It Coasting Anyone?

Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of SatellitePhoneSales.com.au,  Australia’s number one online satellite communications store.

In this article I want to answer one of the most common questions I get from anyone looking into satellite phones in Australia, “How can I receive an SMS or text message to my satellite phone without it costing anyone”?

Both of the current networks within Australia, Thuraya and Iridium, allow you to receive and send SMS from any of their satellite phones.

In our experience, however, it’s common for SMS, or text messages as they are sometimes known, to get lost in space. If the SMS you’re sending is urgent or you’re relying on it to get through then it’s imperative that you request confirmation from the recipient that they have received it.

Also, if your satellite phone wasn’t on when you were sent an SMS, you may not always receive it.

So, a tip if you are sending or receiving an SMS on a satellite phone: ask for confirmation that yours was received and send confirmation letting them know you got theirs.

Another point to keep in mind is that each SMS or text from a satellite phone can vary in cost from $1.00 to $2.00 so please shop around if that is an important part of your usage.

Also check if it costs for you to receive an SMS or text, you’ll be surprised by the answers from each dealer or network.

There is a way for you to receive SMS or text messages without it costing you or the person who is sending the message from both current satellite phone networks within Australia.

To give you the greatest opportunity to find the deal that’s best for you, we’ve found three online satellite phone stores that offer a free SMS or text messaging service to any satellite phone or network - free of charge. Yes, free.

This means rather than your office or home calling you on your satellite phone and you having to pay huge costs from your home or office plan your callers can simply go to a website, put in your satellite phone number and send you a message - completely free.

Just go to these websites and look for the SMS button in their main menu bar. I have asked their permission and they are more than happy for you to utilise their services, whether you purchased from them or not:

www.satellitephonesales.com.au

www.rentasatphone.com.au

www.iridiumdirect.com.au

I trust you found this information useful. If you’d like to know anything more about satellite phones and internet equipment, please contact us.

We’ll be happy to help you.

See our website for more free advice and to learn all you need to know about satellite phones.

Visit www.SatellitePhoneSales.com.au or call us on 1300 197 600.

What Satellite Phones Work in Australia?

Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of www.SatellitePhoneSales.com.au  Australia’s number one online satellite communications store.

In this article I want to answer one of the most common questions I get from anyone looking into satellite phones in Australia, “What satellite phones and networks work in Australia?”

There are three satellite networks that operate in Australia. We will cover two of them here. The third is called Inmarsat, which is the network generally used for data transfer such as emails, for searching the internet or for photos, pictures and videos.

We will stick to the two most common networks available for normal satellite phone communications in Australia.

Firstly there is the Thuraya network. This is an Asian network which covers two thirds of the earth, including Australia.

It uses a slightly lower satellite network than Iridium. Although it should work in any location in Australia, our extensive experience has identified several incidents or events that may prevent your Thuraya handset from operating.

There are two Thuraya handsets available in Australia. The first is the Thuraya SO2510. It’s a small, lightweight handset that offers the best opportunity to get satellite communications at the lowest possible price, normally around the A$990 mark.

It has lots of added features, including GPS Latitude and Longitude. The SO2510 is a small no fuss unit ideal for emergencies. It can only be purchased through an authorised Optus satellite dealership and comes with an Optus airtime plan.

We award this handset three stars because, for the first time, it has allowed consumers to get into satellite communications at a very low initial price.

The second satellite phone in the Thuraya range is the SG2520, a more funky phone crammed with the sort of features you’re more accustomed to on your standard mobile phone, such as a camera.

Thuraya claim this phone is a dual phone and can work in normal GSM mode if it is available and then switch to satellite phone mode when your standard mobile phone network is no longer available.

It’s a bit more expensive at around the $ A2,000 mark.

The second network and the most well known and used is the Iridium network. This is the only truly global network.

The Iridium network partnered with Motorola many years ago. They have great brand recognition and a reputation for being the “go to” satellite phone company for the person who wants to be guaranteed they will get through everywhere, every time.

The Iridium network uses a higher satellite orbit so it doesn’t suffer from the non-connections we have experienced with other networks.

With over 66 satellites currently orbiting the earth it makes sure you connect to 4 satellites before connecting you, giving you more secure and more stable coverage.

Iridium have just launched their new satellite phone, the Iridium 9555. It replaced the much loved and outstandingly reliable Iridium 9505a handset. As you can probably guess, I was a fan.

The Iridium 9555’s main improvements are that it’s 30% smaller than its predecessor. Its aerial is now part of the phone itself and operates better. Iridium claim it has a 30% increase in signal strength.

It has unlimited SMS character functions and comes standard with a mini USB lead so you can download emails to your laptop.

Although more expensive than its predecessor, ranging in price from A$2,200 to A$2,400 depending on where you buy it, unlike the Thuraya handsets the Iridium comes with an outstanding array of standard equipment - car charger, mains charger, magnetic roof-mount antenna, travel plugs, leather case, and the mini USB cable for data transfer.

In our opinion this satellite phone will continue where the 9505a left off - as the market leader. We think it deserves the award and give it 5 stars.

We hope you enjoyed this brief look at satellite communications in Australia.

If you’d like to see more articles just like this one, covering the most frequently asked questions about satellite phones and everything associated with them, visit our website www.SatellitePhoneSales.com.au or call us on 1300 197 600.