Brief History of Mobile Satellite Communications

Mobile Satellite communication technology has evolved over the years not unlike the evolutionary progression of other technological innovation. Take computers for example. Early computers cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and required a battery of MIT graduates to operate them. They filled complete rooms, even requiring their own air conditioning systems. Only the largest of corporations employed them. Of course now, computers are small enough to fit in your pocket, can be operated by small children and are affordable by nearly everyone.

Similarly, shopping for a satellite communication terminal just 30 years ago would have required tens of thousands of dollars to purchase, the same MIT degree to operate and a couple of strong backs just to transport it. The Inmarsat constellation was your ONLY option. Just 15 years later (in 1995) Mitsubishi rolled out the first "portable" satellite terminal operating on the newly launched MSAT satellite constellation. The briefcase sized Mitsubishi ST151, eye popping at the time, weighed in at 30 pounds and cost approximately $3,500.00. While representing a significant breakthrough in satellite communications, the ST151 would dominate the portable satellite terminal market for LESS than one year.

1996 ushered in a truly revolutionary phase in personal satellite communications with the launching by Inmarsat of the mini-M terminal. Priced about the same as the ST151, the mini-M weighed in at less than 6 pounds. The laptop sized terminal would offer virtually "plug and play" data (albeit slow speed) and voice quality heretofore unmatched by any previous satellite terminal. Unlike the 151, which had a North America footprint only, the mini-M could be used virtually anywhere in the world. It would dominate the personal satellite communications market for several years as it brought satellite communications within the financial and technological reach of just about anyone.

In 1998 Iridium launched its worldwide "canopy" of 64 satellites and rolled out the first truly handheld satellite terminal. Slightly smaller than the early "bag" cellular phone, the Iridium handheld satellite phone would again revolutionize personal portable satellite communications. Just a few years later that bag sized phone would shrink to not much larger than today's cell phones and at a cost of less than $1,000.00. Now just about anyone who had reason to travel beyond landline or cellular service has an affordable communications option.

As with the development of many industries, there have been breakthroughs and advances to satellite technology followed by failures and set backs. Not every constellation has been successful from the outset. Market projections by some companies have been overly optimistic which has lead to bankruptcies by those providers. Competition remains fierce as too many providers vie for too few customers. The industry continues to sort itself out as the strong constellations get stronger and as consolidation between providers continues to evolve. The ultimate beneficiary of all of this will be, as it always is, the consumer.

We provide mobile satellite communications products and services to individuals and businesses in remote parts of the world where terrestrial connectivity is not an option ie cell phones and internet.

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Satellite Phones Verses Cell Phones - Your Call

There are cellular phones that are handy and can be used in most places in the world. Satellite phones are a choice that has become much more readily available and cheaper in recent years. Of course there is always the choice of a terrestrial land line that has been in use since the beginning of phone service. A land line though, is limited in many ways.

The new choices that people on the go will have to choose from are pretty simple; the satellite phone or cell phone. Cell phones no matter how popular they are are still limited by cell tower signals and there are dead zones, but they are great if the signal is strong. If, however, you venture into the areas where cell phones are no match for satellite phones you will easily see the necessity of a sat phone over a cell phone. Off the beaten path places do bring a certain stigma to cell phones.

If there will be reception needed away from cell towers on a regular basis, then the need for checking into sat phones is pretty high. There are many reliable sat phones to choose from. There are even choices involving different technologies when it comes to sat phones. Some satellite phones are made to be used only with a certain satellite while others use many of them that are actually the smaller, closer satellites. This is something that can be very confusing and it is smart to do some research before choosing what to go with.

If you have tested the area and the cell phone service is great or sufficient, obviously there are nearby towers to support this choice and it will most like be the best choice for your needs. Even the well settled and developed areas of the populated areas have dead zones where there is no service or spotty at best. Cell phone service that is unreliable is great frustrating service and a good reason to check into a satellite phone.

A sat phone is the most sensible solution for people that travel or that live in areas that don't have reliable service. They are as simple to use, as cell phones and can be found at decent prices. The truth is that a cell is going to be cheaper usually simply because of usage fees. Sat phone fees are something to look at before making a final decision on the type of phone and the company that should be used as a provider. Shopping around to get the best deal is always recommended.

Sat phones are the way to go for a bunch of people. Check the net for a variety of decent Satellite phones.