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To many people the concept of the uses and benefits of a satellite phone may be something new. These marvels of technology simply work in places where regular mobile phones won't.

This means that using a cell phone on the streets, at your workplace, home and even when you go abroad are quite normal, however cell phones cannot be used in the most remote places like when at sea, on mountains, on a desert and other remote places. In such places, coverage for the normal cell phone is limited or non-existent and these are the places where satellite phones work their magicfind out more here


Satellite phone send and receive calls via orbiting satellite technology. As you can imagine building up a service to cover most of the earth's surface with a clear reception is a very technologically challenging and expensive project. That is why most service providers charge a fairly steep rate per minute for voice and data communications. Though it may seem feasible for everyone to use these instead of cell phones, there are some disadvantages that have to be considered. The main disadvantage is related to its coverage and the fact that it does not work indoors at all. Satellite phones have bad coverage near tall buildings too or in bad weather. This means that they cannot be taken with you into building, shopping centers or even be used at home.

Another disadvantage of them is that they are relatively larger than cell phones and difficult to carry with you when you go shopping, although recent years handsets became very popular and more and more retailers are offering these relatively smaller mobile units. The best place to use satellite phones is on trips to remote places like the desert, forests, seas or when you go mountain climbing as regular cell phones don't work in such locations.

Although handheld units are very convenient to carry with you, it's very common to have dropped calls every now and then. If you need the better voice quality and longer call duration you will need more powerful antennas or larger units. Most satellite phones includes incoming phone number and voicemail with indicator which helps in situations where the phone does not ring due to low signal strength. Due to the rotation of satellites, or decreased coverage due to clouds or other obstacles, incoming calls will not always ring the phone, but caller may leave voicemail for callback. Even with all the negative aspects of them it's the most ideal communication tool for travelers, hunters, adventure seekers and business people who need the most portable and economical solution.

You not only maintain contact with family and friends on remote trips, it proves to be very handy when in emergencies. You never know when something bad happens to you while you go on a trip. Wherever you may be, as long as there is a clear line of sight to the sky, you will receive coverage and you can make emergency calls if you need to. People who go on frequent adventures in remote places and the sea should buy or rent a satellite phone. The cost of the calls can be pricey, but the more minutes you buy the cheaper your rates will be. However if you are going for a 'one time adventure', instead of buying a phone, it is better for you to rent one. The daily rental rates range from $9 to about $15 a day and the longer you rent the phone the cheaper your rates will be.

There are many brands of for you to choose from network providers such as Thuraya, Iridium or Globalstar satellite phones. However remember that the cost of satellite phones, and the per minute charges are much higher than using regular mobile phone. So it is better to compare features, rental rates and minute charges and than decide if it is better for you to rent or buy before you head out on your next dream vacation or business trip.

John Dulaney is an international traveler and an expert in overseas audio video equipment and cell phone communications when traveling abroad. His website Planetomni.com, offers [http://www.planetomni.com/COMM_SATP_rent.shtml]Great Deal on Satellite Phone Rental for all your international travel needs. Tel. # 1-877-327-5076 or from outside the USA dial 1-925-686-9945

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