Telstra/iridium Sat phone

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 01, 2002 at 00:00
ThreadID: 1240 Views:3724 Replies:3 FollowUps:2
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Hi,
For those interested in Sat phones, Telstra has released pricing on the their new sat phone service. Base plan $28.00 per month $0.99 per 30 seconds, phones start at $995 (not bad !)
details at: http://www.telstra.com.au/newsroom/release.cfm?ReleaseID=20021
Cheers
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Reply By: Nigel - Monday, Jun 03, 2002 at 00:00

Monday, Jun 03, 2002 at 00:00
It's a shame they are only offering up to 10 kbps data speeds, otherwise it would be a great way to use the ExplorOz forum while travelling.
AnswerID: 3983

Reply By: Richard - Monday, Jun 03, 2002 at 00:00

Monday, Jun 03, 2002 at 00:00
Had a look at the Telstra site on sat. phones myself. 'Not bad' is a bit of an understatement. Why would you hire one! For example: For a 4 week trip it would cost about $600 + deposit [if any] to hire one, that's just one trip, not much more to own one. Would be interesting to know how much one is without a plan and only connecting when need to,if that's at all possible.
AnswerID: 3988

Follow Up By: Nigel - Tuesday, Jun 04, 2002 at 00:00

Tuesday, Jun 04, 2002 at 00:00
According to the press release there is a $200 early termination fee.
So buy it on a plan when you need it and then cancel and pay the $200 if it's less than the number of months remaining multiplied by the plan fee. Once cancelled you should still be able to access 000 or 112 (but I'd confirm that before relying on it).

The thing to watch out for would be a reactivation fee that you may have to pay to rejoin the network after cancelling. Ask them up front and it may work out much cheaper than hiring.
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FollowupID: 1691

Follow Up By: Richard - Wednesday, Jun 05, 2002 at 00:00

Wednesday, Jun 05, 2002 at 00:00
HOLD THE PHONE! Apparantly to get the phone for that price you have to live in the outback without conventional means of comms. ie normal phone services. Some sort of government subsidy thing. Don't take this as gospel it's just what i've heard...albeit from an Optus source [could just be usual sales crap].
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FollowupID: 1709

Reply By: sean davis - Friday, Jun 07, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Jun 07, 2002 at 00:00
Whatever you do, dont buy vodaphone/globalstar. I have 2 handheld units for almost 2 years and they have given noting but trouble and are not reliable.

Sean
AnswerID: 4062

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