Satellite Phone Rental

The iridium package with the data kit looks like a decent deal. Their coverage map is the globe.

How much internet capability would you have? Anyone know?

I rented one from Outfitter Satellite for a moose hunt in NE Alaska. That was 2 1/2 yrs ago and the package was the same price. Minutes were .25 more then. If you want internet time it will cost you per minute. It was nice to have we called the bush pilot to tell him to come get us

Regarding the data kit, you might like to look at the BGAN or the RBGAN - I'm told they're reasonably fast and am just looking into them now...They're also a lot less expensive than most of the competition. I get an idea you can buy the BGAN in the US for around US$250..... (about half the price as in RSA!)

If you opt for the RBGAN you can also use it for phone calls on the VOIP network.

FWIW - As I have a satphone already, I'm just looking at the BGAN..............

I would forget the data kit for the Iridium. It is far to slow, and my experience with them one gets an awful lot of dropped calls too.

We used the Thuraya sat phone and ISDN sat modem last year on our hunt in Tanzania, and both worked great.

Only problem is Thuraya does not cover South Africa, but will work in most of Zimbabwe and all northern countries.

I would agree with the recommendation of Thuraya phones, which I used in 2005. You can talk on them almost like a cell phone at home with no dropped calls; the Iridium, which I used in 2003, dropped them regularly as the satellites moved across the sky.

Here's another vote for Thuraya - I'm told they're bringing out a new model soon so if price is an issue you might be able to get a discount on the last of the old model.......

I still can't get a good answer as to the exact coverage of Thuaya phones in Zimbabwe. No one that I have talked is certain that they work in the Zambezi Valley. Do any of you have better information?

Doug

You should be able to e-mail their technical and/or sales dept from their website.....

I was asked to look for a system to use in RSA so it seems Thuraya is unfortunately out.

The BGAN looks intreging. I wonder if you could use an existing PC to Landline VOIP account like Vonage thru it?

TheBigGuy..i think you would need to check out the RBGAN system. RBGAN only works in Africa. BGAN is in the states, South America and western Africa. The RBGAN system will run you about 1300. That will include 50 Mbytes usage for a year.The speed will be 144 kbit/s. The RBGAN does
not have voice capability. hope this helps..steve

quote:

Originally posted by AKA:
TheBigGuy..i think you would need to check out the RBGAN system. RBGAN only works in Africa. BGAN is in the states, South America and western Africa. The RBGAN system will run you about 1300. That will include 50 Mbytes usage for a year.The speed will be 144 kbit/s. The RBGAN does
not have voice capability. hope this helps..steve

According to these guys Regional BGAN coverage was extended July 2005. Below is the new coverage map. Regional BGAN (RBGAN) rental looks like it might be the best bet. They are also claiming now is voice capable. Thanks for the tip.

I'm told by the BGAN sales team here that the BGAN works now through out Africa...... cost here is about R3750 excluding VAT or R4280 including VAT. As you're a non resident, you could reclaim the VAT at the airport on your way out...... I think it's cheaper still in the US though.

Thanks for the update..Looks like my info was outdated..steve

Thuraya worked in NE Zambesi valley 18 months ago. Just as well, as it was a "Get me out of here" sort of call. Will not fail to take a satphone on next trip. Plane crash in N.Bots in December rather emphasised need for prompt comms. No-one hurt - just shaken. Plane looked a bit sad, though.
Regards
rdash

I didn't rent one but I do own an Iridium. They are so cheap now. I have taken it all over the world with me. It works well for the most part. However if you are, for example, underneath trees it might not. I have has it in NZ, Fiji, the Caymans, Barbados, Argentina, China, Spain, Austria, England, the Yukon, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. No problem with coverage anywhere if you have a clear view of the sky.

Forget the data aspect. To say it is slow would be a compliment.

Isn't Iridium the only one that will cover all of the world?

I believe Inmarsat now have global coverage.... and I think the BGAN & RBGAN both work on that network.......

Where/ how is the best place to procure an Iridium phone set up?

Try www.thesatphonestore.com.

Or www.satphonestore.com.

Thank you I will