Satellite Phones
If you’re looking for an affordable handheld satellite phone for voice calls and text messaging that will work all over the world except the polar regions, then the Inmarsat iSatPhone PRO is the ideal choice for you. Car kits and docking stations for the Inmarsat iSatPhone PRO are also available so that it can be docked in a vehicle, vessel or building, for indoor use. Fixed (non-handheld) versions of iSatPhone PRO for buildings and vessels are also available, called the Terra and Oceana products. iSatPhone PRO has a built-in GPS with which a user can view and SMS their coordinates to someone else who can then plot those coordinates on Google Earth. iSatPhone PRO supports a 2.4kbps data connection which is rather slow and cumbersome, but when used in conjunction with the X-Gate application can be used quite successfully for small data transmissions, such as the downloading of weather reports.
The Iridium 9575 Extreme is a high-end satellite phone for those requiring all the bells and whistles. Costing about twice the price of the iSatPhone PRO, the Extreme 9575 from Iridium is the most ergonomic and rugged of all the satellite phones with an IP65 and military spec rating. Like the iSatPhone PRO from Inmarsat, Iridium 9575 Extreme also has a built in GPS, but with the addition of an SOS button and optional emergency rescue service – suitable for both consumer use and personnel safety applications. Furthermore, the Iridium 9575 Extreme also supports more advanced optional tracking and remote workforce management features. The Iridium 9575 Extreme supports a data connection of 12kbps, or up to 26kbps when used with the optional AccessPoint accessory. The AccessPoint accessory is a small data compression device (dongle) that also functions as a Wi-Fi hotspot for devices like smartphones and tablets to access the internet via the Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone. Docking stations and car kits are also available for the 9575 extreme, as is fixed versions for vehicles, vessels and buildings.
Voice & Data Terminals
Should you have the need to for proper email and internet access on your global travels, the Inmarsat BGAN family of products and services is best suited to you. Unlike a handheld phone, an Inmarsat BGAN terminal is a portable satellite modem about half the size of a laptop. The reason the device is this size is because of the larger antenna that is required in order to transmit data of reasonable bandwidths (speeds) across large distances. It is this same principle that limits all handheld satellite phones to a maximum potential connection speed of about that of a dial-up internet connection. Inmarsat BGAN terminals can make simultaneous voice & data connections enabling true remote-office capabilities. Some of the higher-end Inmarsat BGAN terminals also have Wi-Fi access points built-in so that one can sit conveniently and work on your laptop away from the elements all the while connected to your satellite terminal, which would normally be left outside where it can ‘see’ the satellite. An entry level BGAN terminal costs about $1350 and supports speeds of 384kbps at a cost of approximately $4/Megabyte – far cheaper than cellular roaming (and of course, unlike 3G roaming, it works anywhere in the world (except the poles). A handful of different manufacturers make Inmarsat BGAN terminals including Hughes Network Systems (HNS), Add-Value, and Thrane & Thrane – Ashbury SatCom market and supply them all.
Maritime (for vessels) versions of Inmarsat BGAN terminals are also available, called the Inmarsat FleetBroadband family of products. A handful or so of different manufacturers makes Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminals including, amongst others, Thrane & Thrane, SatLink and Add-Value. Ashbury SatCom supplies them all and offers installation at various maritime service centres around the world.
Maritime (for vessels) versions of Inmarsat BGAN terminals are also available, called the Inmarsat FleetBroadband family of products. A handful or so of different manufacturers makes Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminals including, amongst others, Thrane & Thrane, SatLink and Add-Value.
In addition to the right equipment for your needs, Ashbury SatCom also provides all the airtime required in order to operate the products we sell. We have very easy, straight-forward subscription packages and airtime vouchers to choose from. Support for all our customers around the world is provided from our 24-hour technical support centre in Canada where professional support staff speak a multitude of different languages. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance in choosing the right product for you.
