Satellite phones provide us with the means of contact where cell phones fail. Thinking about what you want your new satellite phone to be capable of will impact the cost of the device. The basic designs will allow you to make voice calls when you’re in range of a satellite. Fancier models can allow text messages, email access, and even data access.
Let’s start by taking a look at the basic features and plans and how it impacts cost.
How Much Should a Satellite Phone Cost You?
Price of the Phone
Iridium satellite phones are among the most expensive on the market. It’s not without good reason since they are the leading authority in these devices. They can cost you anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand.
Isatphones are slightly cheaper but will still cost you a few hundred. Let’s put it this way, be prepared for satellite phones to set you back a few hundred dollars.
The more coverage and features a satellite phone possesses, the higher the price tag. To really determine how much the perfect one will cost for you, you need to figure out what it is you want.
Coverage is 100% the most important thing to guarantee for your new gadget. A lot of the models offer global coverage, which is what you should aim for. If you never venture out of the country or even your city, then regional coverage could be sufficient.
Definitely make sure if you can receive and send phone calls. Text messaging is another basic option that most satellite phones will come with. Data connectivity is a luxury not all of us need but it would still be nice to have.
As for positioning and GPS location, we would suggest searching for a satellite phone that has this simply because it could guarantee your safety. When you’re lost out a mountainous area with no clue as to where you are, sending in your GPS position could help the rescuers find you with time to spare [1].
Ask yourself what role the satellite phone will play on our outdoor journey to give you a better idea of whether or not it will fit into your budget.
Satellite Phone Plans
Just to make things easier, we’re going to use Iridium satellite phones as a reference. The prices may vary between other manufacturers but it won’t be off by too much.
The phone plan is where they really get you in terms of money. You need to buy minutes in order to use your phone. Satellite phones cost less than a cell phone (in most cases), but the plan is quite a bit steeper than regular phone plans.
For example, an Iridium 10 minute monthly plan will cost a whopping $54.99 more or less at the Satellite Phone Store. Each additional minute will cost you around $1.50 (these are all rough prices).
Are you curious to know what’s included in this pricey plan? Well, the 10-minute title gives it away.
As you may have guessed, you will receive 10 min and 10 texts (with each text costing you an additional $0.20) to be used for a minimum term of 12 months. So if you do the math, it will cost $54.99x12=$659.88
If you’re thinking this is quite cheap compared to your existing cell phone plan, you should look at what’s included. 10 min of talk time and 10 texts is really nothing! Plus, if at any time you decide to back out of the deal, there is a termination fee of $250.
The plans go all the way up to 1000 min which gets you 1000 min (each costing $1.10 additional) and 10 texts (at the same $0.20 per each additional text). The monthly price for this deal is a staggering $929.00 for 12 months and the termination fee will really make your heart stop - $10,219! So unless you’re planning on basically living on a deserted and isolated island, this plan isn’t for everyone.
Now onto the annual plans. It’s convenient to just make one payment and never have to worry about it again. Satellite Phone Store offers yearly plans at 150, 300, and 1000 min. If you do the math, you save quite a bit more with these options.
Global Prepaid Service Plans
You basically purchase a bundle deal for a whole year that can be accessed anywhere in the world. Your calls are debited each minute and unused minutes rollover to your next purchase. Different prepaid service plans are also valid for different time frames. The more minutes you have the longer your plan can be in use. The plans range from 75 to 5000 minutes!
Regional Prepaid Service Plans
You also have the choice of regional service plans that only provides airtime for specific locations.
It’s easy to scroll through the options on Satellite Phone Store as they list out where exactly the plan can be used. You have the option of 200 min in Latin America, Alaska, and Canada with the Northern Lights plan, Africa, and the Middle East. If you reside in areas that aren’t covered by the regional plans, then you may have to splurge for the global prepaid options.
Satellite Phone Calling
As you can probably guess, with phone plans like that calling a satellite phone must be expensive. If you use landlines or cell phones to call a satellite phone, you will be running up your phone bill for next month. Calling is especially expensive if you call satellite phones of a different network, sometimes it even goes up to $15/min!
Conclusion
Determine what it is you will be using the satellite phone for before you plunk down your hard-earned cash. It’s a big investment and the phone plans are a huge commitment. Just looking at how much it is to terminate a contract is enough to send shivers down our spines.
Don’t just look at the price, if you will need a satellite phone for the long run, sometimes opting for a more expensive initial option could save you money over time.
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