Now that we are in the digital age where it’s so easy to connect to the world through the Internet, is there still a need for satellite phones? Is it still relevant in business when you can rarely find someone who doesn’t own a smartphone these days, and Internet services are being offered for free in public places? The short answer is yes.
Below are the reasons why owning a satellite phone can be beneficial, especially for business owners.
Satellite phones bypass cell towers or Internet connectivity.
No matter how reliable a telecommunications network is, if its cell towers fail, so do its services. Subscribers to mobile networks and Internet service providers are highly dependent on the integrity of telecom infrastructure like cell towers, submarine cables, even telephone posts. Damage to these physical structures can disable calling, texting, and Internet connectivity, and this, in turn, reduces the use of mobile phones from essential communications tech to leisure gadgets.
With satellite phones, owners can be independent of local systems. They can remain accessible to suppliers, customers, and business affiliates even if the local telecom and Internet services are unavailable. PTT (push to talk) sat phones by Iridium, in particular, can operate independently of local comms systems thanks to its 66 satellites and 13 ground satellites in different locations around the world. These handsets can connect with any phone connected to the Iridium network regardless of its location.
Satellite phones are excellent during emergencies.
During times of crisis or calamity, telecommunication networks operate close to capacity. This explains the slow Internet speeds, weak phone signal, and low-quality voice reception that subscribers experience when there is a hurricane, grass fire, flooding, earthquake, and other natural calamities.
These limitations won’t be a problem for satphone owners. They do not rely on local networks, so network congestion during statewide calamities won’t stop owners from getting things done. They can still place orders, follow-up on supplies, and confirm deliveries to keep the business running. It’s a good idea, therefore, to get a satellite phone when a business’s location is remote, a dead zone, prone to calamities, or if the Internet and phone network services in the area often fail.
Satellite phones can connect to landline and mobile numbers.
Service providers offer different subscription tiers that enable clients to receive and make calls to satellite phones, landline numbers, and/or cellular numbers. Newer handsets even have WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities now, so owners have all bases covered. This is advantageous to business owners who must keep in touch with partners and suppliers through as many communication channels as possible.
Satellite phone services are cheaper than roaming services.
Long-distance and overseas calls are expensive, especially when made outside the country. Luckily, satellite air time is cheaper than roaming charges when traveling to other countries.
Roaming data costs $0.25 per minute, $0.10 per text message, and up to $5 per MB of data consumption. Satellite phone services, on the other hand, are a monthly subscription that can cost $40-50 per month inclusive of a limited number of minutes for phone calls. The price can increase, however, with longer minutes and more privileges.
Satellite phones work regardless of your location.
Thanks to their global reach and not being reliant on local telecom systems, satellite phones can make and receive calls, texts, and emails from anywhere in the world, even when in the middle of the ocean. Sat phones are, in fact, originally designed for maritime use. There’s no telecom infrastructure out on the sea, at least not the type that can provide Internet and mobile services. Sailors stay in touch with other vessels and people back on land through satellite phones instead.
Given all the above, satellite phones are truly beneficial to businesses that need 24/7 connectivity to stay operational. They may not be mainstream, but sat phones are becoming more popular, especially among outdoor sports enthusiasts and explorers. It is certain that they will only become more popular among young business owners.
