Satellite phones--- options?

[RedRoxx44]

Looking at Sat phones due to family concerns. A spot, etc won't work--I need voice capability. Seems Globalstar has a 500.00 sat phone paired with a year contract of about 40.00 monthly, unlimited voice and data, then will transition to whatever similar plan they have. Waiting on the rep to return my email. Anybody else have any feedback on that??? Just reupped with Verizon ---if this pans out wish I would dump them and just keep the Sat phone.
Just off Reddington Pass yesterday and no cell service or very weak with Verizon. Ugh--

[Al_HikesAZ]

I have the Globalstar and have basically been happy with it. Sometimes I have to move around a little to get enough sky or wait a few minutes for the satellites to move into position. In a canyon or a forest you might not get enough sky. One time west of Williams in the forest and with all that COMM stuff on the mountain, I could not get satellites. My buddy was able to send a text from his cell phone. We weren't receiving texts and had no way of knowing if it went through, but found out later that it had been received. Can you rent one to try before you buy?

Even that $40/month plan - which is what I think i have - has charges for minutes. I keep my conversations short and precise. Also, the satellites move and it is not unusual to drop calls after a couple of minutes. Another reason to keep conversations short and precise.

Globalstar is basically set up with a system of low earth satellites primarily for North America and Europe. If you are going anywhere more exotic you would probably want the Iridium polar orbit gear.

If I am going to be somewhere where I know I won't get good sky, I'll take my PLB. It goes to the NOAA geosynchronous orbit satellites and should always get through. In places where you don't get sky, none of these work.

[RedRoxx44]

Hmmm--- good advice. A consideration is getting a handset and at the prepaid deal also. Although it would waste those high priced minutes. I am not a big talker even on my cell phone. Mainly just to check in and get the lastest info. I figure I'd have to get out of most canyons to get a signal with anything.
Places for sure with no cell signal---Grand Canyon Parashant area--even on top. A lot of southern Utah, again not even outside of the canyon areas. Most of the places I like to go!

My parents don't have a computer and can't figure out the cell phone I got them as far as texting goes. They are ok with figuring out the making and getting a call part. That's why I need something I can make or receive a call on. I don't really need it for myself per se; but it is for their ability and mine to know their health status.

[RedRoxx44]

Just checked my email and here it is:



Thank you for the e-mail inquiry for Globalstar.



The Globalstar GSP-1700 portable telephone is available for $499.00. Here is the link describing the phone:

http://www.globalstar.com/shop/index.ph ... ucts_id=39



Our current pricing plan is the Evolution II plan. $39.99/mo for unlimited home airtime, I have attached the plan details.



We are currently in the middle of launching and deploying our second generation satellite constellation. Until that is completed we are experiencing occasional gaps in our coverage throughout the course of the day. These gaps usually last around 3-5 minutes, but could possibly be longer.

In order to keep our customers better informed we have developed a Call Times Tool on our website detailing when these gaps occur.

Here is the link: http://calltimes.globalstar.com/



We are adding about one satellite a month to our network, and expect to be completed with the project by the middle of next year. Every time we add a new satellite to the network the coverage gaps get shorter and fewer.



For the Evolution II plan after the initial 12 month period we will be offering a similar priced plan but it will not include unlimited airtime. Probably around 40 minutes per month for $40. We will have a more formal pricing announcement when we get closer to that date.



Please feel free to contact me personally with any questions or issues.



Kind Regards,



Thomas Babb

Globalstar Inc

Spot LLC

[AZLumberjack]

That's all interesting stuff. Keep us informed of your decision and results. I'm about ready to trash Verizon, but in favor of what???