What's For You? Iridium, Globalstar, Thuraya, Inmarsat Fleet, Inmarsat BGAN, IsatPhone Pro Satellite Phones

What's for you?

The process of choosing the appropriate satellite system for your requirement might seem a dificult one for those not familar with the different networks and options. We at Satphone aim to make this process as straightforward as possible.

On this page you will find some basic information to help guide you to the appropriate part of this site, and below are brief comparisons of the features and coverage of the six most popular networks.

Click through on the links, check the FAQ page, or call a sales consultant on 0800 747 6 747 to find out exactly what would best suit your requrements. Alternatively, for price information browse our online store.

	Iridium	Iridium OpenPort	Thuraya	Thuraya IP	Inmarsat Fleet Broadband	Inmarsat BGAN	IsatPhone Pro	Globalstar
Coverage	Global	Global	Europe, Africa excluding Southern Africa, Middle East, Indian Sub Continent, South East Asia and Australia	Europe, Africa excluding Southern Africa, Middle East, Indian Sub Continent, South East Asia and Australia	Global Coverage except Polar Regions	Global Coverage except Polar Regions	Global Coverage except Polar Regions	The Americas, Europe, N. African coast, Russia and former soviet republics, Middle East, Australia and N. Zealand

Voice service	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Intermittent

Data service	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Due 2011	Intermittent

Max data rate(bps)	2.4k	128k	9.6k or 60k	444k	432k	492k	2.4k	9.6k

Text message receive	No***	No	Yes*	No	No	Yes	Yes*	No

Text message send	Yes**	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes**	No

Prepay tariff	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes (Not in USA)	Yes (Not in USA)	No

Postpay tariff	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

* Not all GSM networks can send to satellite phones, please check with your provider

** Outgoing SMS to same network (eg Iridium to Iridium) or email address only NOT to GSM

*** Iridium can receive messages from email or other Iridium handsets

Satphone UK (satphone.co.uk) are specialist satellite phone suppliers of Iridium phone, Thuraya phone, Inmarsat phone and Inmarsat bgan satellite phone high speed data terminals.
Satphone.co.uk also offer prepaid and postpaid satellite phone airtime and SIM cards for Iridium 9505A, Iridium 9555, Thuraya Hughes 7101, Thuraya so-2510, Thuraya sg-2520 with GSM and GPS option, and Inmarsat, Thrane and Thrane Explorer 500, Explorer 300, Explorer 700 and Fleet 77, Fleet 55, Fleet 33, Fleet Broadband FB 250, Fleet Broadband FB 500 and Thuraya DSL. Callmonitor Limited, 207 Regent Street, London, W1B 4ND, England, UK. Satphone.co.uk offer rental and hire of Iridium, Inmarsat and Thuraya satellite phones on the Satphone UK web site.
Please note that satellite telephones require a direct line of sight from the antenna to the satellite.
Therefore, phones do not work inside buildings or vehicles unless used with an external antenna. Service in outdoor locations with trees, hills, mountains, buildings or other similar structures or geographical features may impair or prevent the use of satellite communication equipment.
Please note that text messaging service on satellite phones may not be possible to terrestrial mobile phones