While signal acquisition is somewhat slow due to the placement of the Inmarsat I-4 satellites and GPS acquisition, the call quality is reasonable. In addition to voice and text, the IsatPhone also includes a built-in GPS receiver. The Inmarsat IsatPhone offers global satellite connectivity at an affordable price. Globalstar phones can only receive messages up to 35 characters, but cannot reply. Inmarsat and Iridium satellite phones can send and receive text messages (SMS) or short emails, making satellite communication quick and easy. The cell phone subscriber with an international SMS feature can text to a satellite phone at about the same cost to say, texting a cell phone in Mexico or other international numbers. While voice calls to a satellite phone incur a significant international calling surcharge, texting is often treated much like texting on a cell phone.

Pilots often leave a satellite phone or an Iridium GO! on the dashboard of their plane’s cockpit to receive a signal. Hardened structures, buildings, mountains, and heavy tree cover can all negatively affect your signal. However, you might be able to receive a signal if you are by a large window or in an open, remote spot. Don’t expect your satellite phone to ring in the lobby of your hotel or inside a stateroom while at sea. Unlike cell phones, satellite phones require line-of-site with the sky to receive a signal for service. Satellite phones can be a valuable back up to traditional cell phones because they operate independently of terrestrial communication or cell phone networks, which can be unreliable or non-existent in less populated regions or remote and can be vulnerable to natural or man-made disasters. Satellite phones have been around for decades, but until the launch of the Iridium network, they were often only offered at an unaffordable price. Sat phones are popular for expeditions into remote areas where terrestrial cell and data services are unreliable and unavailable.

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