Guess I dreamt this-- but --was sure I had read on this forum that it was possible to pick up (rent) a Sat phone on the way through the Jo-Berg airport and then drop it off on the way back. Now I can't find anything relating to that -- am I guilty of drinking my own bath water or does this service exist?

There might be more than one company but the one I know of went of business about 18 months ago when all the Irridium phones had to be recalled due to a software problem.......I'd have thought it'd probably be cheaper to hire one in the US though......

Wood - Here's the post you are referring to:

quote:

Originally posted by Cunningham:
Its simple, Go to the VODACOM desk in the airport at JNB and get a SAT phone for the time your there. At the end of your hunt on the way out go back to the phone desk and they will charge your card for your usage and your done. Its that easy. All that said if your going through JNB. I'm sure other major airports have some sort of same service.
Global Sportsmen Outfitters, LLC
www.huntingtheglobe.com
Bob Cunningham
936-554-2754
globaloutfitter@yahoo.com

I googled it, there are a few other providers (GSM, M-Tel) noting none (including VADACOM) specifically mention "satellite" phones.

Call Bob, and/or try to email these guy for the details and usage charges:
VADACOM, Justin Dickson, justin.dickson@vodacom.co.za - EDIT, NO LONGER VALID
M-TEL (MTN), Dave Adams, dradams@mweb.co.za

I rent mine from Outfitter Satellite before leaving.

Ahhhh -- according to VOACOM's web site they appear to be a cell phone type company -- not a satelite company -- or am I missing something?

Vodacom do hire out Sat phones from Jhb International but there prices are very high. On a recent over landing trip to Botswana I hired a phone from a company called "Motoberlin" which were very reasonable and efficient. They dropped the phone at my house and offered to collect it. I am sure they will drop and collect from the airport. They are based in JHB North. Their rates were rental US$8 per day which was well below anybody else. You can e-mail Alex at alex@motoberlin.com Their web address is http://www.motoberlin.co.za/

Justin Dickson used to work for Vodacom and is a personal friend of mine. He left the communications industry 4 years ago, so don't email to that address