Jodie Weston
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A satellite phone is a life-line for those who live off grid. If you need emergency services and/or rescue you need a reliable way to get help. For preppers, satellite phones can be a way to navigate, signal for help, or simply keep in touch when the grid goes down during a disaster.
But, with advances in satellite phone technology, and a reduction in price, off-griders can use satellite phones for other types of communication too. Phone calls, texting, and even internet access are now available on satellite networks. The battery life, quality, and speed of these services will be less than a smart phone in the center of a city can achieve, but still, any access at all is remarkable.
For emergency or for daily communication, how can you find a satellite phone that will work reliably in your area, be durable enough to withstand a disaster, and not be a burden on your off-grid lifestyle? Here’s our step-by-step guide to finding the perfect satellite phone for you.
Your Provider
Most satellite providers carry their own phones and offer a handful of packages. So you’ll have to balance your need for a specific type of phone with your package and network needs. The first step is to determine which networks will work for your area. We’ve going to talk about the main ones for the continental U.S. (Iridium, Globalstar, and Inmarsat). We’ll also briefly mention a fourth option that covers some areas the others don’t.
While coverage maps are helpful, they don’t tell the whole story, Local geography and weather conditions can effect you. So, ask people in your direct area about their satellite coverage. Also, it may be best to rent a phone first to see how well you can make a connection from your off-grid home.
1. Iridium Network
Iridium has a grid of 66 low-Earth orbiting satellites that allow for communication anywhere on the globe. The satellites move, so you have to re-connect your phone when the satellite you’re using gets out of range. However, because Iridium’s satellites are not stationary, the grid is easier to use around mountains and other difficult terrain. The U.S. military relies on Iridium for global communication. Iridium is also the only company operating at both poles.
If you live near mountains or canyons, Iridium or Globestar are the networks for you, but you will still need reliable line of site to the sky towards the satellite. You may not have access to a satellite all of the time, but if you get a signal once in a particular spot, you will get it again. You just have to wait until the satellites move again, or weather conditions ease.
Be careful, as sometimes U.S. embargoes prevent Iridium satellite phones from being used in several countries, including North Korea. If the embargoes change, the limitations do too. Further, sometimes local laws will stop you from using other satellite phones and providers.
2. Globalstar Network
Globalstar has 40 satellites that move around the Earth, just like Iridium’s satellites. Though, they have fewer satellites so they have a smaller coverage area. You can find their coverage map here. Globalstar covers all of the continental U.S., Alaska, Canada, Europe, Japan, most of Russia, and some of South America (sorry Hawaiians).
While Globalstar works everywhere in the continental United States, if you choose a prepaid plan, your phone will stop working along the Mexican border. That’s a problem if you live right nearby and might get lost and step over the line.
Globalstar also had problems with their first generation satellite network. There was a class action lawsuit against them, and some kind of investor kerfuffle. The company went bankrupt, but came back with a new satellite design and second generation network. The network has now been operational since 2013, and is much more functional than the previous network, but some people still report problems. Ask people in your area to get an idea if Globalstar is worth it for you, or rent a phone.
Preppers will be especially interested in Globestar to Globestar calling, which uses a closed network that is more secure during disasters.
3. Inmarsat Network
Inmarsat uses three geostationary satellites, or satellites that maintain their fixed position, nearby the equator. This means that if you can make a connection with the satellite you won’t lose it.
The Inmarsat network technically covers the whole globe, except for the poles. One satellite sits over the Americas, one is over Oceania and also covers some of Asia, while the third sits over Africa and also covers Europe and the rest of Asia.
However, if you don’t have line of sight to the satellite you won’t be able to make a connection. That means that those in canyons and mountains will have trouble using the Inmarsat network, because even if you’re near the Equator, rock will prevent you from seeing the satellite.
Those in higher latitudes will have worse service than those who are lower. While Inmarsat says it works to the 82nd parallel (in both directions) those around or above the 49th will have trouble finding an area that is open and flat enough to connect.
Hawaiians will be happy to hear that Inmarsat will work for them!
4. The “Other” Network
Thuraya: If you live in Hawaii, Africa, Oceania, or Asia, this is an option. We won’t discuss more about Thuraya here but it’s nice to know it exists if you need it.
Your Phone
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to which networks will work for you, you can then move on to choose a phone. Here are the things you need to consider.
1. Type of Data Transfer
Your first priority should be to pick a phone that has the kind of data transfer you need. Some phones provide only one-way data transfer, allowing you to send out a distress call. These are generally cheaper phones.
Other phones will allow for two way voice. Some of these will only allow for one way SMS data transfer, which means you can text out but can’t receive texts. Others provide two way SMS and internet access. You should expect most phones to have very limited and slow internet access (except for Globalstar’s phones), but it’s something.
Data transfer types and amount are available through various satellite phone plans. Just like with smart phones, more data or more complicated data will cost more.
For those who will use their satellite infrequently, Inmarsat generally has the cheapest plans, but they sell only through third parties. You can contact Inmarsat who will direct you to a seller near you, or you can try Ground Control, SatPhoneStore, or BlueCosmos.
Globalstar has relatively cheap voice plans starting at $64.99 a month for 100 minutes. Their cheapest data plan is $39.99 per month. They also charge annual service fees. But, Globalstar also boasts a very fast data speed, even on their cheapest phone, at 9.6 Kbps. Compare that to the 2.4 Kbps most other phones will manage.
Iridium is the usually the most expensive option and also uses third parties. Their handy tool will help you locate which sellers are in your area, or the same vendors who deal with Inmarsat will also sell Iridium.
The price of the phone is a separate matter too. Iridium phones are the most expensive, above a grand each. Globalstar has made an effort to be the most cost-effective, so their low end options are a few hundred dollars. Inmarsat phones are generally in the middle.
2. Maps, Tracking, and Location features
Some phones, like the Iridium 9555, do not have any GPS or map features. Most of those who live off grid will find a map feature very helpful, while those who are bugging out will find it saves valuable time. SO it’s certainly a feature worth looking into.
You can view and send your GPS co-ordinates with the IsatPhone 2 and the IsatPhone Pro in latitude and longitude. The Iridium Extreme will also allow you to share your elevation, even over Facebook and Twitter.
3. S.O.S. feature
When you push a satelite phone’s S.O.S. button it sends out your co-ordinates to someone you’ve chosen. You can use this feature in conjunction with other services to directly alert search and rescue. Or, you could plan it so that your closest off grid neighbor is alerted so they can come check out your situation.
Low-end satellite phones do not have an S.O.S. feature. This includes the Globalstar GSP – 1700 and the Iridium 9555. But the Iridium Extreme and the IsatPhone 2 do. The Extreme will allow you to send the alert out to three people.
Personally, I feel that the S.O.S. feature is something you just don’t want to go without. If you become incapacitated in some way, you may be unable to speak in order to explain your situation, or may be too delirious or pained to figure out how to send a text. But, you’ll still be able to push a button.
4. Durability
The Iridium Extreme or the IsatPhone 2 are great for those concerned about durability. The IsatPhone 2 has ingress protection and has drop protection. The Iridium Extreme is for, well, extreme conditions. It has military grade toughness, seriously, to MIL-STD-810. The phone is impact, heat, cold, water, vibration and dust resistant.
If you need humidity tolerance (for example, if you’re at sea) you could also consider the basic IsatPhone, which can operate at 95 percent humidity. The IsatPhone 2 will handle the same, and is an upgrade in dust and shock protection.
5. Battery
Inmarsat’s IsatPhones have the longest battery life. The first has 8 hours of talk and 100 hours of standby. The IsatPhone 2 gets the same talk time, with 160 hours of standby time. Every other phone gets about 3 hours of talk time and 30 to 60 hours of standby time. It’s just no contest.
That being said, there are plenty of solar-powered satellite phone chargers on the market. This includes the SolStar, and the Solio. BDS has reviewed a handful, including the Zero Yeti 400, the Choetech Portable, the Marsboy Portable, and the RAVPower. If you live in an overcast area, solar chargers may not make sense, but if you’re in Arizona you’re set.
Final Thoughts on the Best Satellite Phones
When you’re living off grid, or dealing with a grid-down situation, communication is essential. We have much more information to share with you on the topic, including information on internet relay towers and limited access settings. If you need guidance in some other area of your off grid journey, check out our guide to the best books for living off grid.
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7 Responses to “How to Find the Best Satellite Phones for Off Grid Communication”
When I am off the grid, I am usually snowboarding or out at sea. That said, point ‘4. Durability’ is my biggest worry when carrying my sat phone and smartphone. The Mil810 rating that the Iridium Extreme has is perfect, but It doesn’t protect my smartphone and the waterproof rating is only IP65, which means I can’t drop either device in water. The SATcase sat phone is IP68 and encloses the smartphone within, now my smartphone and sat phone can be dropped and submerged into water ????
My husband and I are planning to go on a week-long backpacking trip this summer and we are thinking about getting a satellite phone so that we can contact our family if something goes wrong. It is interesting that you say to choose a phone that has maps, tracking, and location features. I think that this would be great because our family can know where we are and we will also know where we are along the trial. Also, we will definitely look for a phone with an S.O.S feature because this will give me peace of mind if something goes wrong on the trip and there is an emergency. https://www.allroadsat.com/
are satellite phones still better than smart phones are now.maybe in remote areas or military operations.smartphones are now having dedicated servers networks etc and thanks article and comments very informative.
Oh, don’t ya love it! An article telling people who want to be off-grid….how they can stay connected to one of the very things which is emblematic of the system which they are seeking to escape by going off-grid!
What’s next? “How to go off-grid but live within 15 minutes of a hospital”?
Up until the last few years, when you went out into the sticks…you were just out there…by yourself, or with whomever you were with or who you’d come across- and that’s what makes it great; and why we go there! Once you start bringing in the technology and communications, and “heroes”….you RUIN it!
If need all that, STAY IN THE FREAKING CITY!!!!
-A Former NYC-ite Living In The Sticks
If we get another Carrington-like event, it will take out a lot of the earth’s artificial satellites, which will reduce their constellations below the necessary size to maintain the services that they support. Those who have DBS television (DirecTV, Dish Network) see this kind of interference a couple of times a year when the satellite is in line with sun, and the picture turns into scattered pixels.
The solar minimum continues to interfere with communications on HF, but now that CB is an abandoned band, few notice much outside of amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners. Still, they have a lot of spectrum at the bottom of the band that is scarcely affected, and that is what will remain after all the modern, high-tech, communications that rely on communication and power grids go down.
It might be worthwhile to “manage expectations” here, regarding data speed. 9.6 kbps may be fast by mobile satellite standards, but it’s much slower than even dial-up telephone access of twenty years ago. It is, though, faster than you’ll get over HF radio (which could be more like 300 and 1200 bps). But if you’re used to broadband cable, fiber, or DSL, it’ll feel very, very slow.
Excellent, detailed article Gaye.
Another less expensive option is the Garmin InReach Explorer+ GPS device. It uses the Iridium Satellite System to allow you to send Text Messages. (No Voice) It is also a GPS device that has Topo Maps of the entire United States. Lastly, it has an emergency SOS button that will transmit your location to the GEOS (Search and Rescue) Satellite system. The device costs about $450.00 and the Satellite subscription is about $30.00 a month for Texting.
This device is frequently used by Back Country Hikers and Mountaineers.