Tag Archives: satellite phones

New regulations for carrying sat phones into India

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It is now mandatory for inbound travellers to declare if they are carrying a satellite phone into India.  This can be declared in a new column on the immigration card.  Satellite phones can only be used in India after a licence has been acquired from the Department of Telecommunications.

This news comes after a British man was arrested earlier this year in India for carrying a satellite phone.  Similar arrests have since occurred involving travellers who were not aware of the laws regarding the use of satellite communications.

Global Telesat Communications encourages all customers travelling internationally with their sat phones to check on local regulations before their departure.

Satellite Communications in a Marine Environment

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Being on your boat should not mean that you are alienated from the outside world. Whether it’s staying in touch with the office or simply checking the latest news or weather, satellite communication systems are the simplest and most cost effective way to do so.  Regular mobile phones have limited capabilities at sea, whereas satellite phones provide far better coverage, with many capable of being used worldwide. Not only does this make them perfect for staying in contact with family and friends but also their value in terms of safety is infinite.  In a world that never stops, being connected on the move is more important than ever and thanks to satellite communications from GTC this is easier than ever, even when you’re on a boat.

The marine market is flooded with electronics so why should boating enthusiasts spend their hard earned cash on satellite communications?  Perhaps because voice, data, SMS and GPS capabilities (on Thuraya models) are available in one compact handset which can prove vital in case of an emergency.  Satellite phones and broadband terminals can also be used to download essential weather reports or simply just to keep in touch – whether it be for business or pleasure by voice or data.

A popular option for many boating enthusiasts is a portable satellite phone allowing them to take their sat phone between vessels and also carry with them when on land.  All handsets from Thuraya, Iridium, Globalstar offer voice and data services while Inmarsat will introduce to data to its Global Satellite Phone Service (GSPS) in 2011.  Furthermore the handsets can send and receive SMS with most satellite operators offering a web facility to send free SMS to a sat phone.  Data connections are easily facilitated by connecting the phones to a laptop via a USB cable which is included with the phone. With sat phone prices starting from £420 for the Thuraya SO-2510, these days a satellite phone is a more affordable option than ever before.  However, it is worth noting that sat phones can only achieve data speeds of up to 9.6 kbps which is slow for anything other than small emails.

If significantly higher data speeds or simultaneous voice and data usage is a necessity why not consider a fixed satellite broadband terminal?  There are products available specifically for marine application, some offering data speeds of up to 432kbps – Inmarsat FleetBroadband, Iridium OpenPort and Thuraya Seagull.   However, fixed marine terminals do carry a larger price tag than satellite phones with the cheapest terminal, Iridium OpenPort, offering data speeds of 128 kbps starting from £3,260.00.  Fixed terminals consist of the antenna which should be placed above deck which connects down to a below-deck unit where handsets and laptops are connected for voice and data usage.

FleetBroadband Antenna

FleetBroadband Antenna

 

There are also marine docking stations available for satellite phones providing a halfway point between a fixed and portable satellite solution – these accessories allow the sat phone to have a safe fixed docking point on the vessel with an external antenna to boost signal strength but can also easily be unclipped from the docking station for portable use.

For satellite phones both pre-paid and post-paid satellite airtime is available offering a range of options to suit different requirements.  Fixed satellite terminals require airtime packages on a post-paid basis although some will not charge a monthly fee meaning lower costs for those who will not be using their equipment regularly throughout the year.

There are many different equipment and airtime options available for marine users making satellite communications suitable for all budgets, locations and voice and data requirements.  Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Global Telesat Communications supports the Jane Tomlinson Appeal with Iridium 9555 sat phones

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On July 25th, Mike and Rebecca Tomlinson will set off on the Jane Tomlinson Appeal‘s latest challenge. Together with a team of fellow cyclists they will set off on a 2,500-mile bike ride from Istanbul to Leeds.

The Tomlinson family will be joined by family and friends who will also take on the challenge of travelling through 12 countries over 5 weeks. As they travel across Europe you will be able to watch their progress through daily blogs and the latest pictures.

The Appeal to date has raised £3million for children’s and cancer charities nationwide. Through this event they hope to get one step closer to their new fundraising target of £5million.

During their trip the Istanbul to Leeds team will be carrying 3 Iridium 9555’s provided by Global Telesat Communications to use in case of emergency when travelling through areas where traditional communications infrastructure does not exist.  Offering voice, fax and data services this sat phone is great for those needing to keep in touch frequently or just for emergency purposes - but we do hope that no emergency calls will be needed for the cyclists!

Wishing the team the best of luck…

Find out more about their journey: www.istanbultoleeds.co.uk

Members of the team cycling from Istanbul to Leeds to raise funds for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal
Members of the team cycling from Istanbul to Leeds to raise funds for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal

Test Your Satellite Phone Week

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During 23-29 May 2010 Iridium will run its fourth annual “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week.  Some satellite phones are used for emergencies only and so are not regularly tested.  To avoid problems when you need the phone at that critical moment Iridium advise you to complete a call to their free number (00-1-480-752-5105) from your Iridium sat phone.  Callers will hear a recorded voice message confirming they completed the call successfully and offering refresher tips for using the phones.

Sat phone users subscribed to networks other than Iridium can also use this procedure but they may be charged for the call.

For more information visit www.testyoursatellitephone.com.

Need a satellite phone for the short-term only? Why not consider a sat phone rental?

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As we enter summer people start to enjoy the weather and get out and about by climbing, sailing, mountaineering and fishing more often.  However, many of these activities can mean venturing into the unknown where there is no mobile phone coverage and in case of emergency it is essential that adventurers have means of communication.  This is where a satellite phone would come in handy but if you only need it for a couple of months a year is it worth the investment?  With sat phones ranging from £420 – £999 plus airtime charges it may be that satellite phone rental is a more viable option.  Starting from just £140 a month sat phone rental allows you to stay in touch without the investment a sat phone purchase brings.

For coverage in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East and Australia consider Thuraya or Iridium.  However, if you need to use a sat phone outside these areas Iridium is the only provider to meet your requirements.  See network coverage maps for more information.

The Iridium 9555 satellite phone offers global coverage and is just one of the sat phones Global Telesat Communications offer for rental.

The Iridium 9555 satellite phone offers global coverage and is just one of the sat phones Global Telesat Communications offer for rental.

Once you have decided where you need to use the sat phone consider whether you need to hire any sat phone accessories.  Good sat phone rental providers can offer normal mains chargers, solar chargers and additional batteries as well as hands-free and data kits.

Most providers work on the basis that you pay a refundable deposit upon booking your satellite phone rental.  Any airtime charges you incur will then be deducted from this deposit upon return of the phone and accessories in good condition.

At Global Telesat Communications we offer the newest satellite phone handsets for rental – the Iridium 9555, Thuraya XT and Thuraya SO-2510.  We will shortly be adding the new Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro to our rental stock which provides global coverage.  Satellite phones are available for next day delivery and we can provide frequent traffic updates so you can keep track of your spending.  We also offer basic airtime plans for rentals with emergency use in mind only or plans with inclusive minutes for those who know they will be frequently using the sat phone.  For more information please contact us or visit our satellite rentals page.

Satellite Phones vs Cell Phones

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What is the difference between a satellite phone and a cell phone?  Cell phones rely on terrestrial networks to complete a call whereas satellite phones rely on orbiting satellites – the satellite is the equivalent of a cell phone mast.  This means that sat phones are ideal for individuals travelling in remote locations where there is no cell phone coverage.  It also means that satellite phones are essential in case of emergency such as a hurricane or earthquake – often the local cell phone infrastructure is destroyed which makes calls by cell phone impossible.

 

Although call costs are more expensive using a satellite phone when you are in an area with no traditional communication methods, sat phones are vital.  As this map from GSM World shows, there are still vast regions of the world that aren’t covered by GSM networks.  Compare this with the Iridium satellite phone network which provides global coverage and you can see how useful satellite phones are.

 

GSM World Coverage 2009 from GSM World

GSM World Coverage 2009 from GSM World

Another difference between satellite phones and cell phones are the handsets used.  Satellite phones have a built in extendable antenna which allows the phone to pick up a satellite signal.  Apart from the extendable antenna the handsets are now very similar in size and weight to cell phones making them very easy to carry when travelling.

It is possible to combine the advantages of GSM and satellite networks in one handset.  Thuraya SIM cards allow you to roam on compatible GSM networks when in their coverage area.  Even better, the Thuraya SG-2520 functions with both a Thuraya SIM card and GSM SIM card with no phone unlocking required.  This means that when you are in a GSM coverage area you can use a local SIM card reducing call costs and meaning you only need to carry one handset.

Satellite phones and cell phones both have their advantages but for communication in remote locations a sat phone is the best option.

Inmarsat prepares for the launch of the new IsatPhone Pro satellite phone

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IsatPhone Pro
IsatPhone Pro

Inmarsat have made the first phone call from their new IsatPhone Pro – a satellite phone which will be launched to coincide with the global expansion of their Inmarsat SPS (Satellite Phone Service) in June 2010.  The IsatPhone Pro will improve on the original IsatPhone with new features such as Bluetooth for hands free use and improved battery life.

Not only is the launch of the IsatPhone Pro a significant milestone for Inmarsat, it will alter the satellite communications industry as a whole.  Currently Iridium is the only provider of global satellite phone services and consequently equipment and airtime is priced higher than other providers such as Thuraya and the current Inmarsat SPS service.  It will be interesting to see how this increased competition in global satellite voice services will affect prices – it could be that increased competition leads to a fall in prices making satellite communications even more accessible to customers.

The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro will be available from Global Telesat Communications in June 2010.  Due to the anticipated high demand please register your interest to ensure early delivery.

Thuraya GPS Navigation

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It is well known that Thuraya phones are brilliant for helping you to keep in touch in remote locations through voice and data services.  A lesser known feature of the Thuraya phones is their ability to store and transmit geographical co-ordinates by GPS.

With the Thuraya GPS navigation feature, you are able to locate your position anytime, anywhere within the Thuraya coverage area or compatible GSM coverage area.  Once you have acquired the co-ordinates you can:

  1. Save co-ordinates on your Thuraya phone for later reference.
  2. Send co-ordinates by SMS to another phone.
  3. Send co-ordinates by SMS to the ThurayaLocate service.

The ThurayaLocate service is offered free of charge by Thuraya in connection with UK based location and risk management experts Geonix.  Simply register for a free account and you will then be prompted to enter the Thuraya phone number of the device you wish to track – you can set up as many devices on the account as you like.  Once you have set-up the account you can then view the co-ordinates you acquire from your Thuraya handset on the ThurayaLocate website.

thuraya-gps

An example of co-ordinate information shown on the ThurayaLocate website

 

How do I send my co-ordinates to ThurayaLocate?

You acquire your co-ordinates through the Navigation menu of your handset.  You can either choose to transmit your current position or historical positions you have saved as waypoints.  Once you have selected the waypoint you require you then choose “Send via SMS” from the menu, send to +278388918342 (dedicated ThurayaLocate number) and your co-ordinates will instantly show up on your ThurayaLocate account map.  Date and time information is also transmitted.  The ThurayaLocate service will also work when you are roaming on GSM networks and the only cost the user will incur in either satellite or GSM mode is the cost of the SMS to ThurayaLocate – this will vary depending on your airtime plan, please check before using if you are unsure.

ThurayaLocate is especially useful for users travelling in remote locations – simply share your log-in details with family and friends and they will be able to keep up to date with your journey progress.

Why buy a satellite phone?

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Most modern day satellite phones offer similar features to mobile phones, in a similar size but with the added advantage of being functional in areas where GSM service is not available.

Furthermore, in recent years the cost of both phones and satellite airtime has reduced dramatically making a satellite phone a viable option for those who often venture into areas with no GSM coverage as well as those who wish to keep a satellite phone in case of an emergency situation.

A satellite phone may not be a requirement for the everyday mobile phone user but if you work, or play in remote areas and need to be in touch then consider buying from Global Telesat Communications.