Satelite Phones Today - By: Steve Gee

Things have come a long way since the days of the 'Sputnik'! Satellite systems now provide both voice and data communication for areas of the world where there is no land or cell phone coverage. Satelite telephones help us to keep in touch when in the air or out at sea. It also helps us to keep track and in contact with those brave adventurers who test the boundaries of endurance and skill. We can follow their routes, talk to them and receive photographs and film from wherever they are and be instantly ready to help when things don't go according to plan.

How does it work? A signal is transmitted from the satelite phone, via an antenna to an orbiting network of satellites then back to a ground station and a standard phone network. Sounds good, eh? However, the line of sight signal path between satelite telephone antenna and satellite must not be obstructed. Even bad weather can be a problem. Reception is generally much better outdoors but if you are on a boat or in a plane an external antenna might be needed.

At the time of writing 5 major players provide satellite communications. The largest of these are Global Star and Iridium with Iridium being the biggest. Most people have probably heard of Iridium who has a network of 66 satellites in a low earth orbit and they have an additional 13 satellites spare which I find a little surprising. I guess these are for future expansion. You will find these satellites in orbit about 485 miles above the surface of the planet.

The providers supply satellite communications equipment to an extensive variety of markets including construction, leisure, mining, government and maritime. They also provide equipment to the armed forces and for rescue and disaster relief organisations. Companies tend to sell their many services through a collection of service partners, value-added resellers and manufacturers.

Wherever there is a need for reliable, go-anywhere communications you will see satellite phones being used. The military make extensive use of them, as do airlines and shipping. They can also be invaluable in disaster areas where there it's likely that land based communications have been disrupted by the disaster or never existed in the first place. Satellite phones can be tracked too. This can come in handy when guiding aircraft into isolated areas quickly.

On a more serious note, satellite phones are also being used in the fight against terrorism. To protect the Alaskan pipeline where it is vulnerable, trucks passing close by are fitted with satellite phones. If the truck is hijacked a signal is sent via the network and the vehicle can be disabled immediately.

As a method of communication satelite telephones remain a very expensive option. It is more expensive than most cell phone calls. As the technology improves and becomes more widely used, the prices should begin to drop. At the moment Iridium claim that the cost of a satellite phone call is similar to the cost of an international roaming call. To improve public perception and possibly build the consumer market the industry is fund raising in Washington state to provide satellite phones and airtime free of charge to US National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq.

We have come a long way since the days of the 'Sputnik'! Satellite systems now provide both voice and data communication for areas of the world where there is no land or cell phone coverage. Satelite telephones help us to keep in touch when in the air or out at sea. It also helps us to keep track and in contact with those brave adventurers who test the boundaries of endurance and skill. We can follow their routes, talk to them and receive photographs and film from wherever they are and be instantly ready to help when things don't go according to plan. How does it work?...

Steve would be very pleased to share more information about satellite phones with you. Please take a look at Satellite Phone http://www.satellite-phone.thecatcollar.com