We get it—satellite phones sound like complicated and confusing devices. We understand that the numerous options, packages and airtime service plans may seem overwhelming at first, but rest assured that we’re here to help. We’ve simplified the basic need-to-know information on four of the most popular and widely used satellite phone technologies available in 2019.
This satellite phone provides global voice connectivity.
Support by Iridium’s network of 66 Low Earth orbiting satellites—the 9555 satellite phone will work in any country and is the only satellite network to provide coverage at the North and South poles.
The Details:
Because Iridium’s 66 satellites continuously orbit the Earth they can beam connectivity into nearly every nook and cranny of our planet—but not all at once. Thus your signal will come and go as the satellites move into and disappear from view.
The Conclusion: An Iridium device gives you the best chance of being connected in any given location at any given time, and is best for short duration phone calls and text messages.
The Iridium 9555 satellite phone is best for:
- Phone Calls (send & receive)
- Text messaging (send & receive)
Use this phone to contact any landline or cellular phone number via text message or a phone call.
Yes. You’ll need to get a monthly or prepaid plan.
- Monthly plans start at $76.00/month, with no long-term contracts. Learn more
- Prepaid plans vary in cost depending on included airtime and the validity period.
This satellite phone provides global voice connectivity.
Support by Iridium’s network of 66 Low Earth orbiting satellites—the 9575 satellite phone will work in any country and is the only satellite network to provide coverage at the North and South poles.
The Details:
Because Iridium’s 66 satellites continuously orbit the Earth they can beam connectivity into nearly every nook and cranny of our planet—but not all at once. Thus your signal will come and go as the satellites move into and disappear from view.
The Conclusion: An Iridium device gives you the best chance of being connected in any given location at any given time, and is best for short duration phone calls and text messages.
The Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone is best for:
- Phone Calls (send & receive)
- Text messaging (send & receive)
- GPS location tracking
- SOS Alerts (monitored by GEOS global rescue coordination centre)
Use this phone to contact any landline or cellular phone number via text message or a phone call. You can also add an Iridium “Location Based Services” plan to your regular monthly plan, which will allow others to track your phone’s location from an online web portal.
Yes. You’ll need to get a monthly or prepaid plan.
- Monthly plans start at $76.00/month CAD, with no long-term contracts. Learn more
- Prepaid plans vary in cost depending on included airtime and the validity period.
This satellite phone provides global voice connectivity.
Support by Iridium’s network of 66 Low Earth orbiting satellites—the Iridium GO! hotspot will work in any country and is the only satellite network to provide coverage at the North and South poles.
The Details:
Because Iridium’s 66 satellites continuously orbit the Earth they can beam connectivity into nearly every nook and cranny of our planet—but not all at once. Thus your signal will come and go as the satellites move into and disappear from view.
The Conclusion: An Iridium device gives you the best chance of being connected in any given location and is best for short duration phone calls and text messages.
You pair the Iridium GO! with your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) via a wifi connection. It effectively turns your mobile device into a satellite phone.
The Iridium GO! satellite hotspot is best for:
- Phone Calls (send & receive)
- Text messaging (send & receive)
- Email (send & receive)
- Marine weather forecasts
- GPS location tacking
- SOS alerts (monitored by GEOS global rescue coordination centre)
Yes. You’ll need to get a monthly or prepaid plan.
- Monthly plans start at $77.00/month CAD, with no long-term contracts. Learn more
- Prepaid plans vary in cost depending on included airtime and the validity period.
This satellite phone provides near-global voice connectivity. HOWEVER….
Support by the Inmarsat satellite network—the IsatPhone 2 satellite phone will work in any country, but does not provide coverage in polar regions.
The Details:
Inmarsat’s satellites are geostationary—positioned in space above the equator and do not move through the sky, they beam a continuous blanket of connectivity onto the Earth. On the ground, your phone needs to see a satellite to get a signal. If it can’t see a satellite, you will need to move to another location with a better “view”. Because the satellites are over the equator, this means that users in the Northern hemisphere always need a clear “view” to the South, and vice versa for users in the Southern hemisphere. Once you have a signal in a certain location, you’ll never lose it.
The Conclusion:
The IsatPhone 2, or any Inmarsat supported device, is ideal in equatorial regions. However, it’s a great choice in other areas too, but is best for use in fixed locations (cabins, homes, etc.) where the required “view” to the satellite can be assessed and assured in advance.
The IsatPhone 2 satellite phone is best for:
- Phone calls (send & receive)
- Text messaging (send & receive)
- GPS location tracking
- Emergency Assistance button.
Use this phone to contact any landline or cellular phone number via text message or a phone call.
Yes. You’ll need to get a monthly or prepaid plan.
- Monthly plans start at $55.00/month CAD, with no long-term contracts. Learn more
- Prepaid plans vary in cost depending on included airtime and the validity period.
Need a Satellite Phone for your Boat, Truck or Building?
Any of the four options mentioned above can be installed in a boat, truck, or building with the help of a few installation accessories (docking stations and antennas). Checkout the options below:
In-Building Satellite Phones In-Vehicle Satellite Phones
We Offer After-Hour Customer Support
To provide the best customer service to our satellite phone customers in Canada, we offer after-hour customer support. This ensures your satellite phone airtime stays online and keeps you connected whenever you need it.
FREE Shipping Within Canada
Satellite phones orders within in Canada will qualify for free shipping if ordered with an airtime plan (monthly or prepaid). This is also true for portable and mobile satellite data terminals. SPOT and inReach devices do not qualify for free shipping.
Standard FREE Shipping Times:
- West coast shipments typically take 1-2 days.
- East coast shipments typically take 4-7 days.
- Northern shipments typically take 4-7 days.
Chroma SATcom supplies Iridium, Globalstar, MSAT, Inmarsat isatPhone and BGAN satellite communications products, airtime service plans and accessories. When you purchase a satellite phone or hotspot with an airtime plan, you will receive a FREE protective hardcase and qualify for FREE shipping within Canada.
