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Any sailor whose looked up at a clear night sky while at sea has seen them—tiny man-made stars buzzing across the sky. It’s no wonder our skies are teaming with satellites. The modern sailor depends on satellites for weather, distress signalling, and now, more and more, for voice and text (data) communication. On land, satellite phones are used in the mountains, deserts, and uninhabited backcountry on all continents. Hikers, the military, and commercial interests such as oil, mining, and forestry, find them a handy tool to communicate where cell phwones don’t yet reach. On the world’s oceans, the U.S. Navy, oil rigs, commercial ships, and offshore yachts of all sizes are taking advantage of the improved quality and lower pricing from several network services.
Standard, high-frequency (HF), and single-side band (SSB) radios will continue to be a viable communication tool for offshore sailors and cruisers. These devices don’t need satellites and allow sailors to communicate from ship-to-shore, and ship-to-ship, as well as make distress calls to rescue agencies via dedicated frequencies. Air time is free; and cost-effective e-mail services such as SailMail are also an option. But if we’re going to pack something in a ditch bag, it needs to be small.
So, in our hunt for portable two-way communications, what are our options? Cell phones are limited to coastal regions a few miles offshore. VHF radios are also limited to near-shore range. In 2010, we looked at several possible backup devices for 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), the portable satellite-based transmitters that send distress signals and vital data via satellite to rescue agencies. Options included personal locator beacons (PLBs) and handheld devices such as the SPOT locator, which are capable of sending short messages along with transmit the location.
After looking at all of these devices at sea during a passage in the North Atlantic, we also concluded that a ruggedized satphone would make a very good candidate as a backup to conventional signaling devices such as an EPIRB. With almost instant two-way communication by voice, as well as text messaging, Satellite phones have the ability to receive as well as send vital information most places on the planet—something the other options we looked at do not have. In function, sat phones combine the range and utility of a high-frequency radio with the portability of a VHF handheld.
Today’s satellite phones offer the cruising sailor the peace of mind to keep in touch with the office, family, and friends with a private conversation while anywhere on the high seas and open ocean. Most of us can remember that ET moment when we first called home while out of sight of land. More importantly, they can be an important safety device in an emergency.
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With this issue, Practical Sailor looked into the availability, features, functions, limitations, and pricing of the handheld portable satellite phones on the market today. We did not get into some of the more sophisticated hard-wired data systems that can be installed in commercial vessels and larger yachts. We concentrated only on those products that would be a practical option for including in an emergency ditch bag, providing handheld two-way voice communication, as well as a backup to conventional emergency signalling.
When selecting a satellite phone, you need to compare the benefits of three separate entities: the service provider or company selling or renting the airtime and equipment, the company with the satellite network, and the manufacturer of the handheld phone devices. The Internet has a score of retail websites specializing in portable satellite communications. Several companies offer service plans for all of the major network providers, as well as all the satphone brands. Others stick with one network, but sell three or four brands of phones that will work on that network. Most all offer a multitude of purchase and rental options and airtime packages. If you’ve ever been the person stuck with negotiating your company’s cell phone contract, or lining up new phones or service plans for your household, you’ll be well equipped for haggling for the best sat-phone deal.
Systems and Equipment
In May 2004, Practical Sailor reviewed the handheld GSP-1600 satellite phone made by Qualcomm using Globalstar’s low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites. The cost to purchase at the time was $495 for the phone, and 25 cents per minute for service. Voice quality was mediocre, e-mail problematic, and you had to wait until a satellite was “in-view” to do anything. It was basically 15 minutes off, then 10 minutes on, and cut off for 15 minutes again. In February 2006, Practical Sailor did a follow-up article that found that the Globalstar GSP-1600 still had some problems. It had a tendency to fail when cold and had an intermittent problem with the internal antenna switch. Phone cost was about the same, but airtime had increased to 39 cents per minute.
Today, Globalstar is operating with six new satellites that cover North America out about 300 miles, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe. But you still may have to wait for a satellite to come over and you may get cut off after a few minutes of talking. Their new GSP-1700 phone is smaller, lighter with a nice backlit color display, lighted keyboard, better quality voice, and longer battery time. It has a signal strength indicator, low-battery alarm, and is more water resistant. It sells for $499 with a voice-only package for $20 per month (in North America). These are good prices, and eventually the company hopes to have 32 second-generation orbiting satellites.
Bottom line: Considering the company’s past financial difficulties, and the lack of firm dates for the expanded satellite coverage, Practical Sailor is reluctant to recommend Globalstar service.
Thuraya Communication
The Thuraya Communication network has been offering satellite voice and data communication services for over 14 years and manufactures several excellent handheld satellite phone devices. Data speed, availability of air time, and voice quality are all very good. However, its coverage map does not include the western hemisphere, and much of the open oceans.
Bottom line: If you plan to stay in the North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Bay of Bengal, and South China Sea, Thuraya may be worth looking into.
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Tracphone
Another satellite phone service you will hear about is Tracphone, offered through KVH Industries. This is a modern spread spectrum satellite service with 512 Kbps high-speed broadband data connections including Internet, email, and voice. It is currently used by the U.S. Coast Guard. The small wired unit, like the Tracphone FB150, is sold through West Marine, among others.
Bottom line: KVH doesn’t have a handheld device of their own yet, so it does not make the cut for this report.
AT&T
AT&T Terre Star has some satellites over the United States and offers satellite phone and data services to government and business accounts only. It covers coastal areas up to about one hundred miles offshore. Their “Genus” phone is actually an integrated cellular/satellite smartphone that sells for about $ 800.
Bottom line: Because of its limited range and business-only focus, it is not recommended for private sailors.
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INMARSAT
Inmarsat (short for International Marine Satellite) is a viable network with three high-altitude (about 22,000 feet up) satellites. Its (BGAN) Broadband Global Area Network system covers 70 percent of the globe, but is problematic above 60 degrees north and below 60 degrees south. It automatically interfaces with any of the GPS satellites, allowing fast connections (less than two minutes) and has good location features. The current model phone is the IsatPhone Pro, a rugged, pocket-sized phone with long battery life, clear voice quality, and the ability to view and text your GPS position.
Operation seems simple and intuitive. The phone includes all standard features such as caller ID, call waiting, speed dialing, voicemail, email, Bluetooth, etc. It has a high visibility color screen, IP5 (sprayproof) water resistance, high temperature and humidity tolerance, and ports for micro USB, audio, and external antenna. The regular six-inch antenna stores inside and pulls straight out when used. The basic purchase kit includes the lithium 3.7-volt battery, an AC charger (with international plug adapters), DC car charger, USB cable, and a hands-free headset.
Their marketing thrust has been to professionals in government, media, and business sectors. The purchase price is relatively inexpensive at $550, but the multiple rate plans are confusing. Customers have the option of purchasing packages with preset minutes or sign-up for monthly rates. It seemed to average about $1 per minute, but better deals and rental plans may be negotiable from service resellers. The IsatPhone Pro comes with a two-year warranty.
Bottom line: Lower price, a proven phone and a two-year warranty are appealing, but coverage lags behind Iridium, causing delays and gaps in communication.
Iridium
The Iridium Satellite Network is a true global communication system with 66 polar active orbiting satellites, plus a few spares, at an altitude of 485 miles and works anywhere the antenna can be exposed to open sky. Iridium is probably the best-known of the networks and has dozens of resellers around the world. Calls are connected quickly and seamlessly handed over from one satellite to another without interruption. The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system also helps eliminate the voice delays typical with other higher satellite systems. The system currently uses the Motorola Iridium 9555 compact handheld phone. This phone has proved to be sturdy, water resistant and dependable, but the company recently introduced its new Iridium Extreme 9575, designed to meet or exceed military specifications.
The basic package for the 9555 includes the Li-ion battery, an AC (with international kit) charger and 10-32 volt DC charger, a holster, and a hands-free earpiece. Accessories include an auxiliary wired antenna, waterproof Pelican case and a 12-watt lightweight portable solar charger. The rotating, internally stowed antenna swings out to allow pointing up for better reception. It provides email service and can connect to a laptop with a mini USB port cable. It communicates up to 20 Kbps and is compatible with Windows XP and Vista 7. It is assigned an international telephone number so you can call or receive calls from any number in the world. It includes all the standard features of call waiting, call forward, call history, vibrate mote, speed dialing, integrated speakerphone, keypad-lock, call timer etc. The black- and-white illuminated display handles 200 characters but doesn’t display GPS location.
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Iridium’s new 9575 satellite phone is a step up from its current 9555 and should be available at presstime. It is called the Iridium “Extreme” because it is more durable, meets military-grade ruggedness MIL-STD-810F and ingress protection IP 6. This means it can resist jets of water on all sides, suitable for heavy seas, but not full immersion. In addition to all the features of the Iridium 9555 and its extra toughness, the key new features are its on-line tracking ability and an SOS emergency button. The phone also has the ability to serve as a data Wifi hub, allowing it to share data with other onboard Wifi-equipped devices.
The 9575 has a GPS chip to allow sending automatic bursts of data with text coordinates showing current location anywhere on the globe. The location data can be sent to a predetermined receiver such as an e-mail address, a smart phone with text messaging, or a tracking service. The number of automatic data bursts can be programmed, such as once a day, once an hour or every four hours, etc.
The built-in emergency button on the top can be programmed that when pushed a predetermined 160 character text message is sent to a telephone number or e-mail address. Iridium recently announced a partnership with the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center. GEOS receives emergency alerts and notifies Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities via its 24/7/365 global response center in Houston, Texas.
The phone includes a mini-USB data port, but all programming can be done from the phone. The new 9575 is just a little slimmer and lighter than the 9555 with the same battery and telephone functions. The Iridium Extreme 9575 is compatible with all current Iridium satellite phone and rental plans.
The best price we found for the 9555 was about $1,195, but there are multiple prepaid minute bundles, and rental programs. Rental rates were $70 per month, $30 per week or $16 per day. There are “emergency plans” for limited use for only $460 per year. The 9575 will sell for about $255 more at $1,450; rental rates were not yet listed, but should compare to those for the 9555.
Average outgoing calls on either phone could be between $1 and $1.50 per minute, with incoming calls free (but calling party may be charged depending on their provider). If in port or along the coast within cellphone range, you can call forward to your cellphone so calling party is not charged. Some of the older Iridium models (9500 and 9505A) are still available at considerable reduced costs and rental rates. The 9505A is more durable and was issued to several units of the U.S. military.
Bottom line: Thought yet unproven in the field, the 9575 looks to be a winner in this category. The 9555 is also a viable contender, price-wise.
Conclusions
If you are considering obtaining a satellite phone much depends on how long you will need it, how you will use it, where you are going and what your cost limitations are. As with cell phones and other communication services, total costs can get complicated with set up charges, access fees, service plans, packages of features, and bundles of air time. For short term use and infrequent calling, the “emergency packages” and rental programs with older models are the best bet.
Rental rates change with the seasons and air time varies with packages. For purchase and longer use, currently the three most viable options are the Iridium 9575 or 9555 and the Inmarsat Isatphone Pro. The Isatphone Pro is a rugged, good quality phone with a color display that includes GPS and has a longer battery life. It is less expensive and also has a two-year warranty. However, with only three high altitude satellites in service, it can have some dead spots where you can lose connection, and there is a longer delay in two-way conversations. The Iridium 9575 costs a little more and has just a black-and-white display. But it is rugged and the multitude of low-orbit satellites allows more natural conversation without interruption and delays. Practical Sailor gives the 9575 the edge at the present. If you are looking to buy a portable sat phone, the 9575 offers the best combination of features, coverage and construction in the market today. If you need rental right away, look at the 9555, provided it is matched with the Pelican box kit.
