#Industry News
TECH TALK: STAYING CONNECTED
Satellite phones keep you connected, but which one is the best?
How do you stay connected when you are hundreds (or thousands) of miles offshore? Satellite phones, of course. While they may look like something out of a 1980s television series, they can be a reassuring accessory for marine navigators.
So, which one to choose? There’s not much choice! Only two satphones currently offer global coverage: Iridium and IsatPhone.
With its debut in 2009, Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro is one of the newer satellite phones on the market, but one that has quickly proved to be both reliable and durable. IsatPhone Pro uses Inmarsat’s satellite network (International Maritime Satellite Organization) which is managed by an international cooperative of 75 countries and offers coverage everywhere except for the poles. The IsatPhone Pro requires the manipulation of an attached antenna to connect. However, Inmarsat’s satellites are geostationary, meaning they move at roughly the same rate as the Earth, therefore the chances of a dropped call are very low.
The IsatPhone Pro is shock, splash and humidity resistant. It also offers the possibility of sending email, text messages and data. For marine navigation, the IsatPhone Pro can connect to the IsaDock, which in turn connects to an exterior antenna.
The Iridium 9555 is the old faithful of satellite telephones. It uses Iridium’s satellite network which is composed of 66 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Each individual satellite in the network is in communication with four other satellites. When you place a call, your phone connects to a satellite in the grid, and the satellite communicates with its neighboring satellites until the closest satellite to your location is determined. The system then relays data to one of two Earth-based stations. This means that you can use the Iridium 9555 like a standard mobile telephone without antenna regulation. The downfall is the increased possibility of dropped calls – if a satellite disappears beyond the horizon, you lose your connection.
The Iridium 9555 is also shock, splash and humidity resistant and offers the same capabilities as the IsatPhone Pro. Onboard, the Iridium can connect to an IntelliDOCK with Bluetooth, which in turn can be connected to headphones or speakers for use anywhere on deck.
Choices, Choices
So what does it come down to? Price? The Iridium costs more money up front. Data plans can be calculated on individual use, but IsatPhone’s data prices seem to be slightly more expensive.
What about capabilities? Both phones offer exceptionally clear communication, and each satphone also has a range of available accessories to improve speed and access.
Truly, the bottom line is function: IsatPhone Pro offers incomparable call stability, while Iridium offers perceived ease of use.
Whatever you choose, a satphone can definitely be a worthwhile accessory for adventurous cruisers.
