RV FEATURE
SATELLITE PHONES
Satphones are , some would say , the ultimate means of communication . Call or SMS your friends and family , or simply dial for emergency help .
It ’ s true that satphones are incredibly useful and worth considering for remote-area communications .
However , they are particularly expensive . Expect to pay close to around $ 800 for a ‘ budget ’ Thuraya XT-Lite satphone and $ 1700 for a mid-level Iridium 9555 . Of course , you can also purchase in-car docking stations with antennas – but how much do you want or need ? It all comes at a price . Like your mobile phone , the network and coverage varies between satellite providers , so be sure to do your research into the satellite network for the phone you choose to ensure it will work wherever you may go .
Undoubtedly , the ability to communicate independently of the world ’ s cellular networks has its benefits . You can even use satellite phones to connect to the internet and , reportedly , the internet speed you can achieve is impressive .
On the downside , they are a little cumbersome . A basic satphone will still be larger than a 2W hand-held UHF radio – heavier , too . While the more expensive satphones will offer some additional features , such as GPS tracking or SOS functions , these devices have very few features outside of their core function of making and receiving calls or text messages .
An airtime fee – which will vary depending on your provider – is also unavoidable .
Finally , satellite phones cannot be used indoors . They must point in the direction of the satellite without any obstacles – even thick forests might make it difficult to connect to the satellite .
The ultimate solution vs the most basic .
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