Satellite telephone service is a dependable solution for businesses that rely on global communication in remote areas. Unlike traditional mobile phone providers that utilize cell towers for signal strength, satellite phone providers connect to low earth orbiting satellites. These orbiting satellites enable satellite phone service to connect in seconds with a clear signal.

If business travel takes you to areas outside of cellular coverage or in areas with deficient landline service, you would benefit from satellite phone service. Before selecting a satellite phone service provider, evaluate your communication needs and consider the pricing and costs of satellite phone service providers, including:

1. Is it more cost effective for your business to purchase or rent equipment from satellite phone companies?

2. Which satellite telephone service providers offer the most competitive satellite phone plans?

3. Would prepaid plans or cards be an economical satellite telephone service option for your business communication purposes?

Action Steps
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Compare costs of renting vs. buying phones from satellite phone providers

Evaluate rental and purchase pricing and costs of satellite phone service providers before signing a contract with satellite phone carriers. While a rental phone costs less money upfront, it usually has more expensive costs per minute. Phone purchases from satellite telephone providers are costly, but typically two rentals cover the cost of a phone purchase, so evaluate how often you are likely to use your satellite phone for business communication.

I recommend: Mackay Communications provides handheld satellite phones available for purchase at prices from around $600 to more than $1,000. Satellite Phones Direct offers rental options starting at less than $10 a day. Mobal features a Mobal Iridium satellite phone rental for around $10 a day with free incoming calls and outgoing calls around $2 per minute.

Select satellite phone carriers that offer competitive satellite phone plans

Satellite telephones, systems and rate plans are less expensive than several years ago, but are still a costly communication option. As technology improves and satellites become widely used, prices will drop. But until then, be a smart shopper and compare satellite phone plans and prices to find one that best meets your business communication needs.

I recommend: Satellite Phone Source offers monthly satellite phone plans from around $50 per month to more than $500 per month, and annual satellite phone plans from around $600 per year to more than $6,000 per year. World Communication Center features several competitive Iridium service plans, starting at around $30 for a corporate plan.

Consider prepaid cards for budget friendly satellite phone services

Prepaid cards are a smart solution for short-term business projects that take you to remote global locations. Prepaid cards offered through a satellite phone company offer the benefits of no contracts, no monthly bills and the ability for users to track their call time minutes.

I recommend: Cellular Abroad offers prepaid satellite phone rentals for around $100 for a week of service, plus an additional 20 minutes of call time for around $40. UStronics features prepaid Iridium global satellite phone rates ranging in price from around $150 for one month of service and 75 minutes to more than $4,000 for two years of service and 5000 minutes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies purchase phones from satellite phone providers for communication in the event of an emergency when landline and cellular systems are disrupted. Because of their reliability, a satellite phone service provides a smart emergency communication solution for businesses of all sizes.

Satellite phones allow you to contact almost anyone in the world, using communication satellites orbiting in space. Whether you travel within the United States or overseas, you will undoubtedly run into areas with nonexistent cellular phone coverage. Satellite phone service providers give you a reliable option when you must communicate with your business, customers or family.

Satellite phones are typically larger, heavier and more expensive than normal cell phones. You might have to go outside to get better reception, since they require a clear view of the sky, but they’re the ultimate convenience in emergencies when cell phones overload the service network. Consider satellite telephone service for you or your employees to:

1. Travel to remote areas with an assurance of safety and communication.

2. Maintain communication during emergencies.

3. Conduct business when you live or work in the mountains or valleys outside of regular cell phone coverage.

Action Steps
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Buy or rent from sat phone service providers

If you frequently travel overseas, you may already have an international cell phone and find that the coverage is great in some areas and weak in others. Consider satellite phone plans that offer coverage anywhere in a specific country or area, no matter what the elevation and terrain. Rent a phone for the few times you travel or buy one so you'll have guaranteed communication anytime you plan a trip or need extra coverage.

I recommend: Rent an Iridium travel kit for business trips or to evaluate purchasing the system instead of renting the next time. Satellite phone providers ship the phone to you overnight when you offer a deposit or pre-payment. Compare renting the Iridium kit with buying it to decide the best option for your business or home. Invest in a Thuraya travel kit, including the phone, a charger, a battery and a carrying case; or purchase the phone by itself if you already have accessories.

Research satellite phone providers and coverage

Like cell phones, satellite phones vary in makers, providers and services. Choose the satellite phone company that offers the best service and coverage for the area you travel to most often. When you rent, you can change carriers as many times as you want; but if you buy, make certain you know what you're getting before you spend the money.

I recommend: Look at the major carriers: Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar and Verizon. Check out the satellite phone rates and service coverage areas to find one that fits your needs.

Choose a provider and compare plans from satellite phone providers

Once you have compared the satellite phone providers with your specific needs and wants, look at the provider's phone plan options. You choose plan details as you would for a normal cell phone; you can use a pre-paid card or sign up for a certain amount of minutes each month.

I recommend: Search satellite phone plans and order online. Whether you rent or buy a satellite phone, rates are higher than for a cell phone. Start with a pre-paid card of set minutes — the best option for phone rental — or pay by the month, choosing your monthly minutes and features such as voice mail and data transfer.

Search online for deals on satellite phone plans

Often satellite phone service providers offer their best deals online and allow you to browse, shop and pay without leaving your office. Look at plans, compare them side by side and speak to a representative about your specific needs.

I recommend: Get an instant quote online in minutes from Adam Phones. The satellite telephone service rep will email or call you to answer your questions and help with your order. Download any rental agreement, complete it and fax back to the provider to speed up the ordering process and get your phone faster.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask colleagues or friends which satellite phone carriers they have used and compare their experiences with the company's rates and quality of service.
• •  Don't confuse a satellite phone with an international cell phone. Ask a company like Verizon, which offers both, to explain the differences in coverage and prices.
• •  Transfer data and fax from your satellite phone. The transfer will be very slow, but if you're in a remote area and need to fax a document or report, you can definitely do it.

Satellite telephone service is a dependable solution for businesses that rely on global communication in remote areas. Unlike traditional mobile phone providers that utilize cell towers for signal strength, satellite phone providers connect to low earth orbiting satellites. These orbiting satellites enable satellite phone service to connect in seconds with a clear signal.

If business travel takes you to areas outside of cellular coverage or in areas with deficient landline service, you would benefit from satellite phone service. Before selecting a satellite phone service provider, evaluate your communication needs and consider these satellite phone service providers basics:

1. Which satellite phone companies offer reliable satellite telephone equipment to meet your business needs?

2. Where does your business travel take you, and in what geographic areas do you need satellite phone services to facilitate business communication?

3. Which satellite telephone service providers offer the most cost effective satellite phone plans?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase phone equipment from a satellite phone company that meets your business communication needs

There are several types of satellite telephone systems available from satellite telephone providers, including handheld mobile devices, fixed site telephones, vehicle static telephones and marine satellite phones. The most common business satellite phone system is the handheld mobile device, which offers a great connection but usually doesn't work indoors.

I recommend: Determine which satellite phone system is right for you with the user-friendly form at BlueCosmo Communications. The Iridium 9505A at Outfitter Satellite is a smaller satellite phone ideal for business use with voice, paging, text messaging, emergency 911 service and internet access.

Select satellite phone carriers that operate in geographic areas relevant to your business

While satellite telephone service is a dependable alternative to cellular phone service, there are geographic limitations. Some satellite phone service providers only operate in certain geographic areas, so select a satellite phone company that offers satellite phone services in places you travel frequently for business purposes.

I recommend: Telestial offers Iridium satellite phone with global coverage -- even in the oceans and at the poles. Compare coverage areas between satellite phone service providers using the helpful map at All Road Communications.

Compare satellite phone rates between several satellite phone service providers

Satellite telephones, systems and rate plans are less expensive than several years ago, but are still a costly communication option. As technology improves and satellites become widely used, prices will drop. But until then, be a smart shopper and compare satellite phone plans and prices to find one that best meets your business communication needs.

I recommend: Satellite Phone Store offers monthly and annual satellite phone service plans, ranging from around $40 a month for ten minutes of call time to around $500 a month for 500 minutes of call time. Get information on satellite telephone phone rates at The Travel Insider.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies purchase phones from satellite phone providers for communication in the event of an emergency when landline and cellular systems are disrupted. Because of their reliability, a satellite phone service provides a smart emergency communication solution for businesses of all sizes.

Satellite phone service offers reliable communication no matter where you are in the world. From even the most remote places on earth, you can access voice features, texting, Internet and GPS through a satellite phone. Satellite phone service providers offer a variety of packages and phones so you can access these types of features. Satellite phone service is available for purchase or to rent, so your business has the flexibility to use only what you need. Consider these satellite phone service providers key terms to help you as you look for a satellite phone.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Telestial satellite phone service

Top satellite phone service providers offer telestial satellite phone service. This phone service doesn't rely on cell phone towers like a regular cell phone does. Instead, you can have telestial satellite phone service anywhere on Earth.

I recommend: Telestial, a top satellite phone service provider, offers more information about telestial satellite phone service on its website.

Satellite service plans

Satellite service plans provide you with the usage time and the services you need for your satellite phone. Satellite service plans from satellite phone service providers vary in price depending on how big or how small of a plan you need.

I recommend: Satellite phone service provider BlueCosmo details the features available through a satellite service plan.

Iridium phones

Iridium phones are a common brand carried by satellite phone service providers. With an Iridium phone, you can have access to voice, Internet and texting anywhere around the globe.

I recommend: Satellite phone service provider Outfitter Satellite has a write up about Iridium phones on its website.

Globalstar

Globalstar is another brand of satellite phone that satellite phone service providers carry. It's made to work in any location where a land line or a cell phone is unavailable.

I recommend: Read about Globalstar phones and available coverage through All Road Communications, a satellite phone service provider.

Thuraya

The Thuraya brand of satellite phones is also popular among satellite phone service providers. Thuraya satellite phone coverage is available in hundreds of countries around the world.

I recommend: Satellite phone service provider GlobalCom offers details about Thuraya satellite phones on its website.

Cruise ship coverage

Ask your cruise provider about cruise ship coverage if you have an upcoming vacation. If your ship has cruise ship coverage, your regular cell phone should work while you're on board the ship. If your boat doesn't have cruise ship coverage, ask your satellite phone service provider about renting a satellite phone for use on your trip. With a satellite phone, you can make calls from the cruise ship, whether you're on land or at sea.

I recommend: Read a list of ships with cruise ship coverage on the Verizon Wireless website.