Tag: sat phone call charges

Using satellite communications to comply with EU fishing regulations

November 11, 2010 by JennaPhipps

A change in EU regulations in July this year means all fishing vessels of more than 24 metres in length are now required to record and transmit daily activity reports of catch, transshipments, landings and sales electronically to fishing authorities.  This requires a communication system which is reliable, easy to use and install but most of all cost-effective.  Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband 150 terminal ticks all these boxes with simultaneous voice and data capabilities with data transmission achieving rates of up to 150 kbps.  The terminal can also send and receive SMS and provides global coverage excluding the poles.  An important feature to mention is that the Inmarsat network is not affected by weather making it a reliable choice for fishing vessels.

Inmarsat FleetBroadband Sailor 150

Thrane & Thrane Sailor 150 for use with Inmarsat's FleetBroadband Service

The antenna is contained in a 29cm diameter radome which weighs between only 2 kg so finding a spot for it on your vessel couldn’t be easier.  The FleetBroadband 150 is part of a three-model range, with the FB 250 and FB 500 completing the FleetBroadband series, the latter two offering even higher data speeds of up to 432 kbps and the added feature of Streaming IP.  Manufactured by Thrane & Thrane, the FB 150 comes with a 2 year warranty and has been granted an Ingress Protection rating of IPX6 which means the equipment has been tested and complied to be protected against heavy seas – the equipment has withstood water projected at all angles through a 12.5mm nozzle at a flow rate of 100 litres/min at a pressure of 100kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.

The cost of the FB 150 system is £4,150 ex VAT.  This includes the antenna, terminal, SIM card, handset, power cable and 10m antenna cable. After the $25.00 activation fee, there is no monthly airtime contract, and there is no minimum term; all that is required is one month’s notice.  Airtime charges are as follows:

  • Voice calls to fixed line cost $1.30 per minute
  • Voicemail costs $1.10 per minute
  • Data costs $11.50 per MB
  • Text messaging costs $0.75 per SMS
  • Free to receive all calls and SMS

Not only can the FleetBroadband system be used to comply with EU regulations but also for a number of other useful services:

  •  Telephony, email, internet access
  • Real-time weather from Météo France using SkyFile Weather
  • Downloading latest fish prices
  • Reporting and selling catch online
  • Fish finding
  • Position reporting
  • Depth maps
  • Updating electronic logs
  • Crew communications

In July 2011 fishing vessels over 15m will also be required to comply so now is the time to start planning and investing in a system which will comply with the regulations.  Contact Global Telesat Communications for more information.

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Categories: General, Satellite Broadband • No Comments »

Did you know you can send free SMS to Iridium and Thuraya satellite phones?

July 28, 2010 by JennaPhipps

Keep satellite phone costs down by sending free SMS to any Iridium or Thuraya sat phone.  By using the links below anybody can send a free text message to a sat phone so long as they know the phone number.

Iridium numbers are 12 digit numbers starting with 8816

Thuraya numbers are 13 digit numbers starting with 8821

Just enter the phone number, your message and press send!

http://messaging.iridium.com

https://sms.thuraya.com

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Categories: Satellite Airtime, Satellite Phones • No Comments »

Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro Airtime Rates Now Available!

June 30, 2010 by JennaPhipps

Inmarsat

Global Telesat Communications is pleased to announce that we now have airtime rates available for the new IsatPhone Pro. Inmarsat are proving very competitive with their sat phone call charges on both pre-paid and post-paid airtime for their Global Satellite Phone Service (GSPS).

Inmarsat GSPS Pre-Paid Airtime

Other satellite networks such as Iridium and Thuraya offer a range of validity periods on different vouchers which can become confusing. Inmarsatare offering a flat two year validity on all pre-paid vouchers, even the smaller denominations. This is great for customers who only use their sat phone in emergencies but don’t want to lose their credit if they don’t use it. What’s more the rate per minute works out to be good value with costs varying from £0.61 – £1.00 per minute to fixed lines depending on the volume of airtime you buy.

A drawback for some pre-paid users will be that currently pre-paid service may not be used for calls within, from or to the United States. This will be resolved at a later date.

Inmarsat GSPS Post-Paid Airtime

All other satellite phone networks offer a standard contract with a 12 month minimum period. Inmarsat are breaking boundaries by offering 3 different contracts, all with no activation fee and two of which have no minimum term! This makes the IsatPhonevery flexible for those occasional users. For those who frequently use their sat phone Inmarsat is offering two plans which have inclusive minutes making call costs even cheaper.  Call costs to a fixed line range from £0.60 – £0.66 per minute depending on which plan you choose.

Summary of IsatPhone Pro Post-Paid Plans
 
Standard Plan
Allowance 20 Plan
Allowance 60 Plan
Monthly Fee
$20.00
$35.00
$60.00
Inclusive Minutes Each Month
0
20*
60**
Minimum Contract Duration (Months)
0
0
12
 
* Allowance for Voice to Fixed traffic only. No rollover of unused minutes.
** Allowance is for mobile originated traffic to fixed/cellular/voicemail/GSPS/SPS/BGAN/FBB/SBB. No rollover of unused minutes.

 We have already had some questions as to why you would choose the Standard Plan when there are no inclusive minutes, why not just choose pre-paid?  Well, the advantage that post-paid always has over pre-paid vouchers is that you do not have to worry about topping up your airtime, running out of credit or losing credit after validity periods have ended – you will always be able to make a call.  Considering there is no minimum contract on the Standard Plan it is still a very flexible option for occasional users.

Global Telesat Communications are proud to be a verified bronze partner of Inmarsatwhich is why you can trust us with your IsatPhone Pro handset and airtime purchase.

For advice on which IsatPhone airtime plan will suit your requirements please contact us.

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Post-Paid or Pre-Paid Satellite Airtime?

May 28, 2010 by JennaPhipps


Just like mobile phones, when it comes to choosing airtime for satellite phones there are two options – post-paid and pre-paid airtime.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both options but we aim to give you all the facts you need to make an informed decision to ensure you choose the most cost effective and best suited airtime option for your requirements.

Post-Paid Contracts
Satellite airtime contracts are available on the Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar and Inmarsat satellite networks.  If you are willing to sign up to the commitment of a 12 month minimum contract there can be many benefits to post-paid satellite airtime.  Unlike pre-paid airtime you do not have to worry about minutes or SIM cards expiring – you will be able to use your SIM for as long as you keep the contract running after the minimum period.  You can also benefit from cheaper call costs with a contract which is great if you will regularly be using your sat phone and unlike pre-paid airtime you are only paying for the minutes as and when you use them.  Detailed call records are available with post-paid airtime contracts and are sent with your invoice on a monthly basis – this is something that is not usually done with pre-paid airtime.

Pre-Paid Vouchers
Pre-paid vouchers have the benefit of no monthly fees or minimum contracts.  However, you are paying upfront for your minutes so make sure you choose a quantity of minutes most suited to your usage.  This is because with Thuraya and Iridium prepaid options all airtime vouchers have an expiry date or validity period which will start from the date you add them to your SIM card.  So if you don’t use your minutes, you lose them. This means you need to keep track of when airtime is expiring so that you don’t get caught out when you need to use your satellite phone although most providers will send you reminders before airtime expires.

Although it is possible to top-up your satellite airtime online, as most sat phones are used in remote locations it is useful to make arrangements with your service provider before you leave on remote trips as to how you will give payment for any top-ups you might require along the way.

With both post-paid and pre-paid satellite airtime you get free incoming calls and text messages making it easy to stay in contact with friends, family and colleagues back home via your sat phone.

The world of satellite airtime can be confusing with various tariffs, plan validities and units per minute available.  The main question to ask yourself when choosing your airtime is how often you will be using your sat phone. We are happy to discuss the best satellite airtime option for you, please contact us.

 

Post-Paid Contracts

Pre-Paid Vouchers

Advantages

Low cost/minute, no need for top-ups

Flexible, no contract or activation fees

Disadvantages

12 month minimum contract

Have to keep track of when minutes are expiring.  Lose unused minute if let them expire.

Networks available

Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Globalstar

Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Globalstar

Payment

Invoiced monthly

Payable in advance

Calls charged in

$/min

Units

Best for

Regular usage

Emergency or short-term use

 

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Introducing the new Iridium Pre-Paid 750 Minute SIM Card

April 19, 2010 by JennaPhipps

Iridium have launched a new pre-paid voucher to cater for high-use seasonal customers. During the summer months sat phone usage increases as users in the tourist and leisure industries start to use sat phones for emergency purposes while partaking in outdoor activities. This voucher is ideal for these customers as it has a six month validity to cover satellite phone usage until the autumn.  Furthermore there are no coverage restrictions so users can take advantage of Iridium’s global coverage.

The Iridium 750 minute voucher offers a call cost of 63p per minute to landlines or mobile phones and a cost of just 31p per minute to Iridium phones - these prices are cheaper than the cost per minute with an Iridium contract without the 12 month commitment.

Iridium SIM Card

Iridium Pre-Paid SIM Card

Please note that you cannot add extra validity or credit to the 750 minute SIM card and it is only available on a new Iridium SIM card.

The Iridium pre-paid voucher is available to purchase online now for next day delivery from Global Telesat Communications.

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Satellite Phone Call Charges vs Mobile Phone Roaming Charges

April 8, 2010 by JennaPhipps

Making calls from a satellite phone is often perceived as expensive for a business or individual.  However, for frequent travellers they can provide lower call costs than roaming with your mobile phone.

With an Iridium sat phone contract calls to fixed or mobile numbers anywhere in the world are £0.72 per minute* and with a Thuraya sat phone contract calls to fixed or mobile numbers £0.87 per minute*.  Compare this with mobile phone roaming charges of up to £1.70† per minute and it’s easy to see how a sat phone can prove a cost effective method of communication for global travellers.  The cost per minute of pre-paid satellite airtime also compares favourably to the equivalent mobile roaming charges.

Not only can it be cheaper making calls from a sat phone but receiving calls is better value for money.  Most UK mobile phone operators will charge you to receive calls when you are roaming – one UK provider charges as much as £1.41† per minute to receive a call in certain areas of the world.  With a sat phone, wherever you are in the world you do not pay to receive any calls (unless you opt in to the Iridium 2 stage dialling service).

Using a sat phone abroad also allows organisations and individuals to budget for call charges.  Many UK mobile phone operators have different tariffs for different areas of the world and the price is also affected by which country you are calling.  This makes it almost impossible to know how much a call is going to cost you when you make it which in turnmakes it very difficult to budget in advance.  A sat phone allows you to make calls to fixed or mobile numbers anywhere in the world at a fixed rate  per minute and this will not change, wherever you are.

If you are a frequent traveller why not consider a sat phone for cheaper call charges when abroad?  We are happy to advise you on the best satellite network, phone and airtime plan for you.  Please contact us for more information.

 * Contracts are charged in USD.  Prices quoted are based on GBP=USD exchange rate of 1.50.

† Based on calls made and received in O2′s ‘Rest of the World’ zone.

All call charges correct as of April 2010.

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