Satellite phones versus GSM phones
Skip contentSubject: Satellite phones versus GSM phones
From: Linda M
Date: March 4, 2005
You have a great site and I learned a lot ... but still I will ask you a silly question. Is there a phone that can make a call using GPS / satellite? Or is tri-band the ‘only’ way I can make a call in areas that do not have ‘towers’ like mountains, etc?
Reply:
Hi Linda,
Thank you for your kind words.
There are phones that can make and receive calls by satellite. You can read about these types of phones on the websites of companies that specialise in this field (the Mobile Phone Directory does not). Try the following links for example: www.satcomms.com, or www.satphone.co.uk
As these phones are larger, heavier and more expensive than the normal mobile phone, you would not need one if you were travelling in most parts of the world. However, when you are in some remote area, such as the desert, up a mountain or on the oceans, then a satellite phone is the best option, as there will not be a cell phone mast nearby.
Because they rely on the weaker signals from a satellite, these types of phone need a good antenna, or you must be outside with a line of sight to the satellite. So, these phones have their uses, but don’t feel you have to use one when abroad, because the GSM system is available in most areas of the world. See the list of countries and regions on the GSM World website: www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml
I hope that answers your question.
Regards,
Mike S
Technical Consultant
