Mobile Satellite Phones
Satellite phones, also known as satphones, are of the same nature as mobile phones except they use satellites orbiting the earth as a mode to connect their transmissions, whereas mobile phones use the cell sites located around the state. They provide the same functionality as mobile phones such as; voice calls and use of the short message services.
Both satphones and common mobile phones operate through radio waves although satphones operate over greater distances, we greatly appreciate the benefits that accompany mobile phones in our day to day lives, and it’s only when we travel to a remote area that we find difficulty in receiving cell reception, and this is where the satphone comes in handy.
Its coverage mainly depends on the particular system; some are used to connect all over the world while some are restricted to certain regions.
How It Works:
Once you make a voice call through a satphone, the radio waves transmitted locate the low orbit satellite that revolves around earth and connects to it. The satellite in turn redirects waves to a communication tower, which in turn redirects to another satphone where the call is answered. Due to the evolving of communication technology, the connection is done in a matter of seconds and its signal is crystal clear.
Types Of Satellite Phones
The type of satphone one requires greatly depends on the needs of the individual:
Handheld device
We talked with Thuraya Telecommunication who explained, “This is the most common type of satphone, and it requires a direct path to the satellite. This means that it would not work indoors or near tall buildings. Standing near electrical posts would also disrupt its signal transmission. The most common demerit; its signal is also affected by foul weather.”
Fixed Satphones
These are used indoors, and the transmitter aerial is fixed outside on the highest structural point, preferably the roof.
Vehicle Satphones
One may use the handheld satellite phone or the vehicle static model, which is attached inside of one’s car, and its transmitter aerial is attached to its roof.
Marine Satellite Phone
This is the most ideal satphone, putting into consideration the harsh storms the marine men and women face at sea; communication between the ship and the tower at the docks is extremely vital.
Merits And Demerits Of Using A Satellite Phone
The advantages associated with satellite phones:
Offer wide network coverage
Performance does not vary from one location to another
Does not depend on prefixed area codes
Zero installation required
Mobile satellite phones offer the most useful mode of communication in disaster response. During disasters, voice calls surge up in great volumes. Hence, they overload the systems at a time when they are needed most, and there is also the fact that these cell sites might also be damaged during the disaster.
The disadvantages of using satphones:
High cost of the phone as most new iridium 9505A satphones cost a whopping $1000
Satellite phones are often built for a single purpose. Hence, they cannot be switched over to other networks.
Large antennae size: this is considered bulky compared to the smaller mobile phones
Delay is experienced in voice calls, especially with the satellite phones that use the geosynchronous orbits
Low data bandwidth is used in accessing the web
Mobile phones that use the cell sites are able to use 4G broadband while satphones are still restricted to using GPRS
Due to the regulations and rules set up by the government in each country, some restrict the use of satellite phones since their traffic is usually encoded to prevent spies from eavesdropping
Some of the countries where satellite phone usage has been banned include; Burma, Russia, North Korea and also Cuba
Mobile satellite phones are not recommended for high protocol security systems.
