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About Satellite Phone and Other Satellite Services

Satellite phones, sometimes called satphones, are mobile phones which communicate via orbiting satellites. On the high seas or in remote areas of the world, satellite phones can often be the only telecommunication service available. Satellite phone communication can be expensive, although its cost sometimes comparable to the international mobile roaming rates offered by some GSM carriers. In addition, their data transmission speeds tend to lag behind those offered by cellular phone and landline service providers.

Since a clear line of sight is required between the antenna and the satellite, satellite phones must generally be used outdoors and their performance can be degraded by poor weather. These factors can also limit their ability to receive incoming calls, although external antennas are often used on boats and other locations to enhance their performance and enable the use indoors.

Satellite phonrs systems are costly to construct and they are notably uncompetitive in populated areas. Leading service providers include Iridium, Global Star, Ellipso, Inmarsat and Thuraya. Some satellite phones offer AMPS and CDMA network compatibility to provide additional wireless communications options in bad weather or indoors. Thuraya system users can also access local GSM networks in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, India, and parts of Africa.

Satellite phones have a reputation of being rather bulky but they are becoming sammler and more portable; most of them do need a large antenna. On this site, you will find leading satellite phone solution providers who feature a wide range of wireless products and services from marine, aeronotical, vehicular, josite and handheld applications.