Communication
     
 
COMMUNICATIONS
 
Satellite phone

It is a mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites. They provide similar functionality to terrestrial mobile telephones. Depending on the architecture of a particular system, coverage may include the entire Earth, or only specific regions.

The mobile satellite systems work primarily off of two distinct types of orbital paths :

- Geostationary (GEO) orbiting around the equator at an altitude of 35,000 km, which are meant to remain in a fixed position in the sky. These systems can maintain near-continuous global coverage with only three or four satellites, reducing the launch costs.

- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) orbiting in a circular path (to 2 000 Km) above the earth.

The disadvantage of geostationary satellite systems is that in many areas, the line-of-sight between the phone and the satellite is broken by obstacles such as steep hills and forest. The user will need to find an area with line-of-sight before using the phone. This is not the case with LEO services: even if the signal is blocked by an obstacle, one can wait a few minutes until another satellite passes. The common sense advice is to call when you stop and go outside to an open area.
 

Above all, why take a satellite phone?
The first reason is to solve security problems when you are on deserted roads or areas. Indeed in case of accident or any snag you can tell someone and seek help. It can also be used to send data on the website or to the family and if you need to be reachable all the time and anywhere for work or family reasons

 
Iridium
 

Derived from military technology developed over 20 years, Iridium has a LEO constellation comprised of 66 satellites circling the earth in low orbit (780 km altitude) along a north-south axis giving users a permanent and global coverage.
Subscribers can make calls from anywhere in the world and to all destinations (landline, GSM or satellite).

 

Main services iridium:

• World Call and Reception

• Free receive incoming calls

• Free receive free SMS from the phone,

• Send free SMS messages from the site iridium (SMS Iridium)

• Sending and receiving files mild (Mail, Weather ...).


Made to withstand the harshest environments, the new Iridium 9555 offers communications efficiency and unparalleled reliability.

Smaller and elegant than previous versions, it resists water, dust and shock.
   
Iridium coverage
     
Inmarsat
 

Founded in 1979, the Inmarsat network allows phone communications and send data at high speed with global coverage. Inmarsat operates 11 satellites providing telephony functions, data, telex and fax through to 37 ground stations.

The system uses Inmarsat geostationary. Voice communication is via a communication terminal connected to your telephone handset or with the new phone IsatPhone Satellite Pro.

 
Then to June 2010, designed primarily for business users (government, media, oil and gas industry ...), the IsatPhone Pro is the first mobile phone to be specifically designed for the Inmarsat network, with near-global coverage since only the poles are not covered.


Main features of the Pro IsatPhone:

• Bluetooth technology for hands-free

• Voicemail,

• text messaging

• e-mail messaging,

• Consultation and sending localization data ...

This phone is designed to operate in virtually all conditions: torrential rain and sandstorms, scorching heat or extreme cold, tropical humidity or freezing fog.
   
Inmarsat coverage
 
Thuraya
 
Thuraya service was launched by a private company based in the UAE. It has three satellites in geostationary orbit. The Thuraya system is a regional provider offering coverage over Europe, The Middle East and parts of Africa. If you wish to use a satellite phone outside this coverage area, it will direct you to a phone Inmarsat or Iridium
 

Main Thuraya services:


• World Call and Reception

• Free receive call,

• Free receive SMS from the phone,

• Sending and receiving files mild (Mail, Weather ...)

• Integrated GPS with mobile tracking ability.
   
Thuraya coverage
     

For all systems, rates vary from simple to double, the prices for the unit vary depending on model and usage. In recent years the prices of devices and communications have lowered significantly, and the current cost allows more casual raiders to be able to acquire a satellite phone (purchase or rental). However it remains a big budget. Consume with moderation!
 
Personal distress beacon (or trackers)

If real problem, allows the transmission of the identity and position of the mobile in distress, global coverage. Our choice is the SPOT system of tracking and satellite tracking.

This system has two functions: a "control function" and "Function Request Help".
The first allows our contacts know our position. They then receive an email containing a link to Google Maps showing our GPS position. It can also save waypoints thus giving the opportunity to review the route later.

The second is to prevent that we need help. When the SPOT is powered up, it determines its position using GPS, then sends a request for assistance through the SPOT satellite network every 5 minutes for one hour or until rescinded
 
It is also possible to send emergency responders to our GPS (search and rescue, including evacuation by helicopter in the world)
 
     
Communication