What Satellite Phones Work In Australia?
Posted on | March 10, 2010 | No Comments
Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of www.Rentasatphone.com.au Australia’s number one online rental satellite communications store.
In this posting I would like to answer one of the most common inquiries I get through anyone looking at satellite phones in Australia, “What satellite phones and networks work in Australia?”
There are three satellite networks that operate in Australia. We will covers 2 of them here. The third is called Inmarsat, which is the network generally used for data transfer such as emails, for searching the internet or for photos, pictures and videos.
We'll stick to the 2 most common networks available for normal satellite telephone communications in Australia.
Firstly there is the Thuraya network. It's an Asian network which covers two thirds of the planet, including Australia.
It uses a slightly lower satellite network than Iridium. Even though it should work in any place in Australia, our extensive experience has determined several incidents or events which could prevent your Thuraya phone from operating.
There are two Thuraya handsets available in Australia. The first is the SO2510. It is a little, lightweight handset that offers the very best possibility to get satellite communications at the cheapest possible price, usually around the A$990 mark.
It has lots of added features, which includes GPS Latitude and Longitude. The SO2510 is a small no fuss unit perfect for emergencies. It can only be purchased through an authorised Optus satellite dealership and comes with an Optus airtime plan.
We award this handset 3 stars because, for the first time, it has permitted customers to get into satellite communications at a very low initial price.
The 2nd satellite telephone in the Thuraya range is the SG2520, a more cool phone crammed with the sort of features you could be more accustomed to on your standard telephone, such as a camera.
Thuraya declare this phone is a dual telephone and may work in normal GSM mode if it is available and then switch to satellite phone mode while your standard mobile phone network is no longer available.
It’s a little more costly on around the $ A2,000 mark.
The second network and the most well known and used is the Iridium network. This could be the only truly global network.
The Iridium network partnered with Motorola a long time ago. They have excellent brand recognition and a good reputation being the “go to” satellite telephone company for the individual who desires to be guaranteed they may get through everywhere, every time.
The Iridium network uses a higher satellite orbit therefore it won't suffer through the non-connections we've experienced with other networks.
With over 66 satellites currently orbiting the earth it makes sure you connect to Four satellites before connecting you, giving you more secure and more secure coverage.
Iridium have just launched their new satellite phone, the Iridium 9555. This replaced the much loved and outstandingly reliable Iridium 9505a phone. As you can probably guess, I was a fan.
The Iridium 9555’s main enhancements are that it’s 30% small compared to it's predecessor. Its aerial is now part of the device itself and operates better. Iridium claim it has a 30% increase in signal strength.
It has unlimited SMS character features and comes standard with a mini USB lead to help you download emails to your notebook.
Although more costly than its predecessor, varying in price from A$2,200 to A$2,400 depending on where you purchase it, unlike the Thuraya handsets the Iridium comes with an outstanding array of standard equipment - car battery charger, mains charger, magnetic roof-mount antenna, travel plugs, leather case, and the mini USB cable for data transfer.
In our opinion this satellite phone will continue where the 9505a left off - as the market leader. We think it deserves the award and provide it 5 stars.
We hope you loved this brief look at satellite communications in Australia.
If you’d want to find more articles just similar to this one, covering the most frequently asked questions concerning satellite handsets and everything relating to them, see our website.
Visit www.rentasatphone.com.au .
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