Did you know that over 200 million people needed life-saving assistance last year? That's nearly one in every 33 people if you break that down. These figures are staggering examples of how natural disasters can strike quickly and leave people without access to medical care.
Satellite phones are used for a variety of purposes, one of which is to assist in natural disasters. So how can a satellite phone help you? We have written this article on what satellite phones are, what they do and the best ones on the market.
What is a satellite phone?
Cellular phones work by using terrestrial cell sites that tap into their network. Satellite phones use orbiting satellites to receive a signal. Satellites can connect to voice calls, some messaging and even minimal data usage in most cases.
Because they use orbiting satellites, their service network is much more extensive than a standard mobile phone, which can lose service once out of range of the nearest cell tower. Before diving into the best satellite phone on the market, it is useful to know some of the pros and cons of these phones.
Advantages and disadvantages of satellite phones
Some of the main advantages of a satellite phone are
- Wider coverage
- Minimum installation or set-up
- Instant connection in case of disaster
- Works in extreme conditions
- Long service life
- Easy to use
However, you may find the satellite phone bulkier and potentially more expensive than your standard phone in some cases. Recently, given the speed with which the price of smartphones has risen, the cost of the satellite phone may be more reasonable than you think.
Also, satellite phones are not necessarily designed to scroll quickly and easily through your social media pages. Although it has a wider coverage band, you may experience lags in data connection in some areas.
It also has a more rugged design rather than the sleek, slim appeal of a smartphone. Some people may like this feature, but it could take up more space in a bag or pocket.
Uses of satellite phones
Most people use satellite phones in conjunction with their standard mobile phone. You can usually keep your phone number with a satellite phone and simply pick up either one.
So when would you need to use a satellite phone instead of a regular mobile phone?
Natural disasters and war zones can impact terrestrial cell towers, rendering your standard mobile phone useless. Many emergencies require a satellite phone. Because satellite phones take advantage of orbiting satellites, they are less likely to lose mobile phone service.
Emergency responders may have satellite phones for their work in case of power outages or other incidents with cell towers. Older models may only be able to receive and make calls. However, many newer, modern models have superior call receiving and transmitting capabilities, so be sure to do your due diligence before choosing the type of phone you want!
Outside of emergency situations, satellite phones are also great for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, skiing and other outdoor adventures can quickly take you away from mobile phone towers.
For any long and remote trip, you want a satellite phone with a long battery life and the ability to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. They should always be part of an emergency first aid kit. A satellite phone can send a message to the emergency services in case of a problem.
The best satellite phone
Some of the best satellite phones stand out. These are :
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Iridium satellite phone
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Inmarsat Isatphone
There is no phone on the market that works like a smartphone and a satellite phone. Your best bet is to buy a reliable device designed for harsh conditions. One of the drawbacks of smartphones is that they don't have the battery life of satellite phones and cannot tolerate extremely high or cold temperatures.
This can make them more dangerous if you go hiking and your phone breaks down.
Iridium satellite phone
TheIridium 9555 is a reliable, robust and compact phone. It works everywhere without exception. It has been designed to withstand the harshest conditions so that users can rely on it in all circumstances. It has a standby time of up to 30 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours.
TheIridium 9575 is small, rugged, and exactly what you need if you're trying to save space outdoors. This satellite phone is ideal for emergency situations thanks to its simple design and 3.5 hours of voice calling capacity.
The Iridium 9575 also offers 30 hours of standby time. If you don't want to break the bank and you need something to fall back on, this is the phone for you.
Iridium Extreme® is the first satellite phone to combine geolocation, SOS and ruggedness.
Inmarsat Isatphone
The Inmarsat Isatphone is arguably one of the best, if not the best, satellite phones on the market. What makes it an excellent choice?
It is the best phone if you are going to be in blizzard areas, hot weather or even heavy rain. How rugged is it?
The IsatPhone Pro 2 can operate at -20°C and up to 55°C. Plus, you don't have to worry about your screen breaking or your phone breaking if you bump it against something.
The IsatPhone Pro 2 is shock and scratch resistant, allowing you to access the outside world at all times. It can also be equipped with prepaid SIM cards that allow you to quickly connect to your new phone.
The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro 2 uses the Inmarsat satellite network, which gives you fast speeds and stable calls. You can enjoy up to 8 hours of talk time and approximately 160 hours of standby time.
Find your next satellite phone
A satellite phone can save you in a pinch. Whether it's a natural disaster or an annual backpacking trip, the best satellite phone will give you reliability, speed and long battery life.
Inmarsat's Isatphone is one of the best on the market in terms of cost, durability and user interface. You won't have to worry about lags in network connection or difficulties in harsh weather conditions. Visit our website to buy the latest IsatPhone Pro 2, or browse our wide range of communication systems.
Photo credits: Iridium and Inmarsat