Satellite Phones Buyer's Guide - 2024

Costs, reviews, plans comparison and more

What You Need to Know About Satellite Phones

It is important to compare satellite phones and other satellite equipment to ensure they match your critical personal communications needs. What do you need to be able to do with your satellite phone or device? Are you looking to make calls and send text messages? Do you need basic email access? Do you want to be able to use your smartphone or tablet for satellite voice or data access? Do you want to be able to send SOS alerts, track your location or make a quick call in case of emergency? Do you need to access the internet or broadcast capabilities?

Find all the answers of these questions on this satellite phone guide

TIP: Remember, a communications device is only as good as the coverage and reliability of the network behind it.

Major Satellite Phone Brands

Iridium Satellite Phones
Inmarsat Satellite Phones

Satellite Phones Comparison

Discover how the top satellite phones compare!

We’ve put together a comparison chart below to make it easy for you to shop for the satellite phone and package best suited for your needs including quality of service (QoS), potential limitations, and advantages one satellite phone may have over another.

  Iridium Extreme Satellite Phone Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone
Compare Iridium Extreme Iridium 9555 IsatPhone 2
MPN/UPC CPKT1101 BPKT0801 885562000343
Pricing (approx) $1,450 $1,150 $899
Network Iridium Iridium Inmarsat
Satellite Coverage Global Global Global (Minus Poles)
Weight 8.7 oz (247 g) 9.38 oz (266 g) 11.14 oz (316 g)
Size 5.5” x 2.36” x 1.06” (14.0 x 6.0 x 2.7 cm) 5.63” x 2.17” x 1.18” (14.3 x 5.5 x 3.0 cm) 6.65” x 2.95” x 1.14” (16.9 x 7.5 x 2.9 cm)
Battery Life 4hr talk / 30hrs standby 3hr talk / 30hrs standby 8hr talk / 160hrs standby
Antenna Retractable omni-directional Retractable omni-directional Fold-out directional
Display Monochrome Monochrome Color
Durability MIL-STD 810F N/A IK04
Ingress Protection IP65 N/A IP65
Network 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites 3 Geostationary satellites
Text Messaging (SMS) Supported Supported Supported
GPS Yes N/A Yes
Interfaces Mini USB, Audio Mini USB, Audio Micro USB, Bluetooth
Data Connectivity Yes, via USB or AxcessPoint Yes, via USB or AxcessPoint Yes, via USB or AxcessPoint
Data Speed (Uncompressed) 2.4 Kbps 2.4 Kbps 2.4 Kbps
Emergency SOS Yes No Yes
Learn More Iridium Extreme Iridium 9555 IsatPhone 2

What Do You Want to Use Your Satellite Phone For?

Satellite Voice, Text & Basic Email

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Use My Smartphone Where There's No Cell Coverage

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SOS, Tracking & Satellite Communication

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Satellite Broadband Access to the Internet

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Where Do You Want to Use Your Satellite Phone?

In addition to comparing the features of satellite phones, consider where you will need to use it. Do you need to make and receive satellite calls inside a building, vehicle, plane or boat? If so, consider specialized accessories, like docking stations, that are compatible with your satellite phone and enable use in these environments.

In-building Solutions

Use satellite phones in a building, lodge, camp or cabin.

Our satellite phone handsets work great for the adventurer! Iridium satellite offers phones, packages and data services for avid campers, hikers, hunters or any occupation that takes you off to a remote, off-the-grid location for a while.

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In-vehicle Solutions

Use satellite phones in a car, truck or recreational vehicle.

Iridium GO! and Iridium Extreme are two of the best examples used for vehicle satellite and data service needs. Iridium Extreme offers a feature-rich and durable handset that can take a tough beating and still be provide satellite communications in your time of need. Iridium GO! works like a satellite hotspot providing voice, text and data services to your smartphone making it easy to connect whenever you need to. A portable satellite attached to a vehicle is also a great way to have satellite communication on the go!

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Marine Solutions

Use satellite phones on a yacht or power boat.

Today, Iridium satellite equipment has been implemented on 50,000 vessels and is a trusted provider of safety and security services in the maritime market. Iridium was recognized by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in May 2018 for offering maritime distress and safety communications within the GMDSS.

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Aviation Solutions

Use satellite phones in the cockpit of a recreational aircraft.

Iridium provides global flight safety services via satellite solutions keeping crews and commuters safe and secure and able to react at a quick moment’s notice.

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Guy happily using a satellite phone

How are Satellite Phones Typically Used?

Sat phones are popular for expeditions into remote areas where terrestrial cell and data services are unreliable and unavailable. Satellite phones have been around for decades, but until the launch of the Iridium network, they were often only offered at an unaffordable price. Satellite phones can be a valuable back up to traditional cell phones because they operate independently of terrestrial communication or cell phone networks, which can be unreliable or non-existent in less populated regions or remote and can be vulnerable to natural or man-made disasters.

Unlike cell phones, satellite phones require line-of-site with the sky to receive a signal for service. Don’t expect your satellite phone to ring in the lobby of your hotel or inside a stateroom while at sea. However, you might be able to receive a signal if you are by a large window or in an open, remote spot. Hardened structures, buildings, mountains, and heavy tree cover can all negatively affect your signal. Pilots often leave a satellite phone or an Iridium GO! on the dashboard of their plane’s cockpit to receive a signal.

While voice calls to a satellite phone incur a significant international calling surcharge, texting is often treated much like texting on a cell phone. The cell phone subscriber with an international SMS feature can text to a satellite phone at about the same cost to say, texting a cell phone in Mexico or other international numbers. Inmarsat and Iridium satellite phones can send and receive text messages (SMS) or short emails, making satellite communication quick and easy. Globalstar phones can only receive messages up to 35 characters, but cannot reply.

The Inmarsat IsatPhone offers global satellite connectivity at an affordable price. In addition to voice and text, the IsatPhone also includes a built-in GPS receiver. While signal acquisition is somewhat slow due to the placement of the Inmarsat I-4 satellites and GPS acquisition, the call quality is reasonable. For the ultimate in satellite communications the Iridium Extreme is the most rugged, and full-featured satellite phone on the market today. Utilizing the Iridium network for unparalleled quality and coverage, this IP65 rated handset can be dropped into a puddle and still function for voice calling or sending your GPS coordinates via SMS or email.

Satellite Phones and Internet Access

Many satellite phones offer data services but few offer Internet access and most have very limited bandwidth. However, many popular online functions can be carried out with an added accessory to a standard phone.

Other devices connect directly to a smartphone via built-in Wi-Fi. Note that browsing webpages is simply out of the question even for the most patient subscribers! A Wi-Fi enabled satellite device will offer limited Internet capabilities such as basic email, compressed photos, or tweets. The Iridium GO! satellite hotspot is the first portable satellite Wi-Fi hotspot that enables subscribers to call, text, email, all from their iOS or Android devices. Best of all it is the least expensive device to offer access to Iridium, the most reliable satellite network. Iridium GO! can connect up to 5 mobile devices providing satellite data, voice and text messaging services to anyone with a smartphone who happens to be off the grid and on the go!

For true Internet access with web browsing, a portable BGAN or IsatHub terminal are the mobile satellite internet solutions we recommend. Portable BGAN and IsatHub terminals like the Wideye ISavi utilize a passive antennae that must be stationary to receive a signal and transmit data. Even on a slow moving cruise ship you may have trouble maintaining a signal. Whereas satellite phones from Iridium and Globalstar can maintain a signal even while traveling in a car, train or plane.

Guy using the Iridium GO! portable satellite internet

Best Sat Phone Plans

Satellite Phone Plans Included Price Incoming Calls & Text Messages Additional Outgoing Rates
Iridium 10 Monthly Plan 10 Global Voice Minutes, 10 Text Messages $65.00/Mo FREE $1.00/Min Shop Now
Iridium 125 Monthly Plan 125 Global Voice Minutes, 125 Text Messages $95.00/Mo FREE $1.00/Min Shop Now
Iridium 300 Monthly Plan 300 Global Voice Minutes, 300 Text Messages $125.00/Mo FREE $1.00/Min Shop Now
IsatPhone 15 Monthly Plan** 15 Global Voice Minutes $45.00/Mo FREE 99¢/Min Shop Now
IsatPhone 60 Monthly Plan** 60 Global Voice Minutes $59.00/Mo FREE 99¢/Min Shop Now
IsatPhone 200 Monthly Plan* 200 Global Voice Minutes $119.00/Mo FREE 99¢/Min Shop Now

*Requires a 12 month term.**Requires a one-month term.

How Does Iridium Cover the Entire Earth?

The Iridium constellation is a fully meshed network of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites that ensuring coverage over the entire globe. That’s more satellites than any other network.

In addition to being the only network that offers 100% global communications coverage, an independent study also found Iridium’s network had the best call quality compared with similar competitive networks. This is one reason that the US military relies on the Iridium network.

Traveller’s Note: Although the coverage of Iridium is global, travellers are advised to contact local consulate or customs office for information on any restrictions which may prohibit use.

Satellite Phone FAQs

Why do people need satellite phones?

If you spend time areas without reliable landline or cellular coverage, or are concerned with having a backup to these systems, satellite phones enable you to communicate best where and when other forms of communications won’t. Because the satellites are in space, they aren’t dependent on land-based infrastructure like cell towers, and they are also less vulnerable to events on earth like natural disasters that can knock out cellular or landline systems.

Should I rent or own a satellite phone?

If you are likely to need a satellite phone for more than six weeks a year, then purchasing a phone is likely your best option. If you spend less than one month a year in regions lacking reliable landline or cellular coverage, we suggest a daily or monthly satellite phone rental for the times you need it.

If I buy multiple satellite phones can they share one SIM card?

No, if you want to be able to use each satellite phone, each will need its own SIM card. Much like an unlocked cell phone, a satellite SIM card can be moved to another compatible phone, but to be able to make calls, each satellite phone will need its own SIM card with an active monthly plan or prepaid airtime. Iridium offers a few prepaid airtime options from 75-600 global satellite minutes to fit within any price budget and provide reliable satellite coverage! If your Iridium Global Prepaid SIM card expires, your airtime will be removed from the card and you will have a 270 day refill window to purchase a refill. Outside of that 270 day window, you will need to purchase a new SIM card and also receive a new number at the time you activate the new card.

How quickly can I get a satellite phone?

We maintain inventory of most satellite phone models and can generally ship the next business day for orders placed before 3 PM (Eastern).

Which satellite phone has the best coverage?

We only work with the leading satellite networks. Inmarsat, and Iridium all offer different coverage which may be better in certain areas or for certain types of voice, text or data services. The only satellite network that offers complete whole earth coverage (including the North and South Poles) is Iridium. Compare satellite networks.

Who owns the most satellites for phone service?

Iridium owns the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. They operate an array of 66 satellites that cover the globe, no matter where on earth you are if you have clear access to the sky you can place a call on the Iridium satellite network.

Do I pay long distance or roaming charges with satellite phones?

There are no long distance or roaming charges with the Iridium or Inmarsat satellite networks. Globalstar’s network is more regional so if you travel outside of the United States, Canada or the Caribbean, Globalstar roaming fees may apply and you should check the rates.

Do you sell refurbished satellite phones?

We sometimes have units that are like new, but they are in boxes that have been opened and can’t be sold as new. Inventory varies so please enquire via live chat or by emailing: customercare@bluecosmo.com.

Which satellite phone accessories are worth owning?

That depends on how you plan to use your satellite device. A spare battery is always something we recommend. It comes in handy on extended trips where you may not have access to a power source for recharging, or if you lose the one that comes with your device. Also, all satellite phone manufacturers offer compatible docking stations with an external antenna that can be stationed outdoors, enabling the satellite phone or device to be used inside a cabin, vehicle, boat or plane. You’ll find a selection of docking stations and related accessories for each model of phone on our website. You can also live chat or email us at customercare@bluecosmo.com if you’d like to discuss options.





 

Satellite Phones

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  1. Best Seller
    Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone
    Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone
    AS LOW AS $1,450.00
    Add to Compare
  2. Iridium Global Prepaid 75 Minute SIM Card
    Iridium Latin America Prepaid Satellite Phone Card
    AS LOW AS $299.00
    Add to Compare
  3. Best Seller
    Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone
    Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone
    AS LOW AS $1,150.00
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  4. Best Seller
    IsatPhone 2 Inmarsat Satellite Phone
    Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone
    AS LOW AS $789.00
    Add to Compare
  5. IsatPhone Monthly Service Plan
    IsatPhone Global Monthly Service Plans
    AS LOW AS $45.00/Month
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  6. Best Seller
    Iridium GO! with Free Extended Warranty
    Iridium GO! Global Smartphone Access
    AS LOW AS $855.00
    Add to Compare
  7. Iridium Global Prepaid 75 Minute SIM Card
    Iridium Global Prepaid Satellite Phone Cards
    AS LOW AS $170.00
    Add to Compare
  8. Best Seller
    Iridium Canada Alaska 200 Minute Card (6 months)
    Iridium Canada Alaska 200 Minute Card (6 months)
    AS LOW AS $329.00
    Add to Compare
  9. Iridium GO Bundle Offer
    Iridium GO! Satellite Hotspot with Airtime Bundle
    AS LOW AS $0.00
    Add to Compare
  10. Iridium 9555
    Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone with Airtime Bundle
    AS LOW AS $0.00
    Add to Compare
  11. Best Seller
    The Iridium-based ZOLEO satellite communicator offers everything you need to stay connected and secure, when venturing beyond cell coverage.
    ZOLEO Satellite Communicator
    $199.00
    Add to Compare
  12. ASE Portable BAGDOCK for Iridium Extreme® PTT
    ASE Portable BAGDOCK for Iridium Extreme PTT
    $1,155.00
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