Hey Gents:

Ms AZWriter is going to Borneo on some kind of adventure trip with her pals from OZ. I am thinking it is time to just break down and get a sat phone. I did a search on AR, but I am more confused than enlightened.

I need a phone that covers Africa, Alaska, and Asia (everything but the Middle East). Any suggestions?

quote:

I need a phone that covers Africa, Alaska, and Asia (everything but the

I bought a Motorola 9505 before moving here to Cairo. It is the ONLY phone with true 100% global coverage (I know our host likes his local Thuraya company...but they don't offer real global coverage). If one has "line of sight" to a good portion of the sky it works perfectly. This has been a challenge in Cairo as I basically have to be on a building balcony or on a sailboat in the nile to get that "line of sight". Still, the quality when you have it is perfect. I also buy pre-paid "Africa" airtime in 250 minute blocks that costs about 86 cents per minute ...but it can also be used "in a pinch" in North America or anywhere else for $1.67 per minute. There is also "canada only" airtime that is available for around 80 cents per minute. If you are going to be spending most of your time in either of these areas, these special SIM cards are the ticket as they are 20% (or more) cheaper than "global" SIMs and you can switch them out when you travel. I will also tell you that pre-pay is the ONLY way to go with airtime! Strangely, the post-pay plans are MUCH more expensive on a per minute basis and you have all those monthly bills to deal with. I can't understand why anyone would choose that option. With pre-pay you buy blocks over the phone itself with a credit card so you can re-charge from literally anywhere.

Hope this helps.

John

You'll find maps on the various sat phone company websites that show reception areas but as JTG says, Iridium is the only one that offers true global coverage. I actually have a Thuraya which works in the areas I need. Of the two systems and talking about my (limited) experiences of both systems, I'd say that Thuraya suffers far less dropped calls etc....but as I said, it doesn't have global reception..........yet.


The reason I bought Thuraya and not Iridium is that when I was looking to buy the Iridium phones had all been recalled for software problems and weren't available.....

Handheld sat phone options:

Globalstar (the purple fringe area is where the user may experience intermittent/poor signals):


Thuraya:


Iridium (global coverage):

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
...I actually have a Thuraya which works in the areas I need...

Steve - Does the Thuraya work in Zim, and specifically in the Valley? The coverage maps don't show this. Thanks

I used a Thuraya in Tanz and found it to be superior to the Iridium's for voice quality and ability to acquire and hold a signal for longer then 5-6 minutes, it was pretty much just like talking on a cellular phone.

I am looking at rentals as I only need it for very ocassional trips.
Which company covers northern Namibia and has a fairly decent rental/call rate? Thank you

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
...I actually have a Thuraya which works in the areas I need...

Steve - Does the Thuraya work in Zim, and specifically in the Valley? The coverage maps don't show this. Thanks

I used a Thuraya in Tanz and found it to be superior to the Iridium's for voice quality and ability to acquire and hold a signal for longer then 5-6 minutes, it was pretty much just like talking on a cellular phone.

Inmarsat (their regular voice service is the same as the broadband coverage below):


Bill,

If you really need to be sure that you'll get both coverage, and good quality, I would suggest you rent one of the sat phones made by Nera. They are larger (the size of a small laptop), but work virtually everywhere in the world besides the north and southpole, and are made for professional users, NGOs, govt. agencies etc.

Back when we used a Nera Worldphone thru Africa, it didn't have much of a data transfer rate, but the newer ones can give you 492kbps.

The differance between using a portable Inmarsat phone compaired to a handheld Thuraya etc is that Inmarsat has 4 geo-stationary satellites that you choose from depending on where you are in the world. You just decide which is closest, aim the small dish in the right direction (even thru windows, tentroofs etc), and connect.

Their new "smallish" sat phone system:


As I said, they are a little bulkier, but if you really need what they provide...

I have owned and used a Motorola with Iridium all over the world and have been pleased

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
I am looking at rentals as I only need it for very ocassional trips.
Which company covers northern Namibia and has a fairly decent rental/call rate? Thank you

For what many companies charge for a rental, you will likely be better off to purchase. This is especially the case if you plan on renting one more than once!

JMHO,

John

thank you

I have used PHIleasing.com out of Arizona several times successfully. The prices start at about $50 a week plus shipping. Airtime is about a $1.50 a minute. I used the service last year in New Zealand and Namibia
Because phones keep changing, leasing a phone even a couple of timee a year may be better than buying.
Seeker

I used inmarsat in Botswana and had excellent coverage and sound quality. One evening I was talking to my wife and she interrupted me asking what is that sound in the backgroud? " Oh that's just the lions honey".

TerryR

Thanks for the comments guys

I use a Motorola with IRIDIUM and have been happy with the reception. Should you choose this one I would recommend that you have enough credited minutes as it can take time to have the minutes added.

I have the Motorla 9505 in Alaska here and it is great. Took it to Africa last summer and it was flawless. Can't say enough about them. Sure can help in a pinch.

On a related note....I came home today to find that my 8 month old terrier had DESTROYED the antenna for my 9505! Note, never leave a dresser drawer even partly open with an ambitious dog in the house.

Anyone have a spare they are willing to sell.

Best,

John