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07-02-2002, 8:03 PM

Does anyone know of a good rate plan for satellite service? Also will it replace cellular service in the near future?

It seems it cost the same amount the cellular service cost about 12 years ago

Jack · 07-02-2002, 8:28 PM

There are no good rate plans for satellite service.

Jack

07-03-2002, 8:06 AM

do they even work that good inside a building?

ComicalMoodyDan · 07-03-2002, 1:44 PM

I don't think satellite phones will work indoors at all. As far as I am aware you have to be outside to use one.

I think I read somewhere that you can't even use one inside a car, you have to have a clear line of site which requires you to be outdoors. I'm not 100% sure on this though I could be wrong.

KevinJames · 07-03-2002, 4:41 PM

My gut feeling (and I am no one with any inside info) would be that it is another decade or two away. Right now, carriers of mass-market wireless and pouring their funds into 3G and 4G, both of which are terrestial systems. Mass-market satellite is not here yet. Handsets cost as much as the original cell phones did 20 years ago and per-call pricing is also about the same as 20 years ago. All pun intended: Satellite service is astromonical!

ComicalMoodyDan · 07-03-2002, 6:24 PM

I'm not sure if it will ever be a viable option, since its just so expensive right now and the company's that are selling satellite phones right now are struggling. Right now satellite service has too many limitations and is way too high for the average consumer user. In 10 or 20 years maybe but frankly I don't even see it happening then.

Jack · 07-03-2002, 8:36 PM

Great concept but check out the rates

www.globalstar.com

If someone needs coverage EVERYWHERE this is a good idea

Jack

FlyBoy · 07-04-2002, 8:44 AM

Great in concept, but satellite phones DO NOT work everywhere -- even outdoors.

I had substantial experience with sat phones during Desert Storm some years ago and have investigated them as a civilian since. Sat phones today use a combination of local cellular carriers and satellites to provide service. They must be licensed for use in every country. As we learned only too well, many countries (including many of our 'friends') do not like the idea of satellite phones. It bypasses their own local cellular provider ($$$) and their government cannot control who uses them and for what purpose (censorship).

If you read any of the providers websites, you will see a list of countries where they can operate. Why! you ask would there be anywhere that the phone wouldn't work if the only requirement was satellite coverage.... They also have the concept of 'roaming' -- ponder that for awhile.

But if it means anything, they do work in the Nevada desert and in interior Alaska.

KevinJames · 07-04-2002, 10:32 AM

FlyBoy,

You are first I've "met" that actually used them. Its good to hear your experience. Amazing how politics and manmade political boundaries can influence something as useful as this. Makes you wonder if big brother isn't watching through a one-way mirror.

07-02-2002, 8:03 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	Satellite Phone Does anyone know of a good rate plan for satellite service? Also will it replace cellular service in the near future? It seems it cost the same amount the cellular service cost about 12 years ago

07-02-2002, 8:28 PM	#2
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There are no good rate plans for satellite service. Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

07-03-2002, 8:36 PM	#7
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Great concept but check out the rates www.globalstar.com If someone needs coverage EVERYWHERE this is a good idea Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

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07-03-2002, 8:06 AM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	do they even work that good inside a building?

07-03-2002, 1:44 PM	#4
ComicalMoodyDan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 6,078 Phone(s): Samsung Gravity 2 Provider(s): T-Mobile Devices: T-Mobile @Home Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	I don't think satellite phones will work indoors at all. As far as I am aware you have to be outside to use one. I think I read somewhere that you can't even use one inside a car, you have to have a clear line of site which requires you to be outdoors. I'm not 100% sure on this though I could be wrong.

07-03-2002, 4:41 PM	#5
KevinJames WA's 1st retired mod Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Central Valley NorCA Posts: 2,621 Phone(s): Samsung A877, Impression Provider(s): the new AT&T Devices: Plantronics Discovery925, Garmin Nuvi 660 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My gut feeling (and I am no one with any inside info) would be that it is another decade or two away. Right now, carriers of mass-market wireless and pouring their funds into 3G and 4G, both of which are terrestial systems. Mass-market satellite is not here yet. Handsets cost as much as the original cell phones did 20 years ago and per-call pricing is also about the same as 20 years ago. All pun intended: Satellite service is astromonical!

07-03-2002, 6:24 PM	#6
ComicalMoodyDan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 6,078 Phone(s): Samsung Gravity 2 Provider(s): T-Mobile Devices: T-Mobile @Home Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	I'm not sure if it will ever be a viable option, since its just so expensive right now and the company's that are selling satellite phones right now are struggling. Right now satellite service has too many limitations and is way too high for the average consumer user. In 10 or 20 years maybe but frankly I don't even see it happening then.

07-04-2002, 8:44 AM	#8
FlyBoy I have a weird title! Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Great in concept, but satellite phones DO NOT work everywhere -- even outdoors. I had substantial experience with sat phones during Desert Storm some years ago and have investigated them as a civilian since. Sat phones today use a combination of local cellular carriers and satellites to provide service. They must be licensed for use in every country. As we learned only too well, many countries (including many of our 'friends') do not like the idea of satellite phones. It bypasses their own local cellular provider ($$$) and their government cannot control who uses them and for what purpose (censorship). If you read any of the providers websites, you will see a list of countries where they can operate. Why! you ask would there be anywhere that the phone wouldn't work if the only requirement was satellite coverage.... They also have the concept of 'roaming' -- ponder that for awhile. But if it means anything, they do work in the Nevada desert and in interior Alaska.

07-04-2002, 10:32 AM	#9
KevinJames WA's 1st retired mod Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Central Valley NorCA Posts: 2,621 Phone(s): Samsung A877, Impression Provider(s): the new AT&T Devices: Plantronics Discovery925, Garmin Nuvi 660 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	FlyBoy, You are first I've "met" that actually used them. Its good to hear your experience. Amazing how politics and manmade political boundaries can influence something as useful as this. Makes you wonder if big brother isn't watching through a one-way mirror.

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