Comment: Handheld Satellite Phone Solutions for Travellers

Ouch!
What hurt you? He just shared a good idea.
Yours is good too, the answer is probably a bit of both.
But is it necessary to be so patronizing in the process

I wasn't patronizing.

One of the main reasons that we get satellite phones is to be able to actually "discuss" the issue or emergency. That was my doctors condition on getting one. So that he could actually talk to me and later even link up with my pacemaker. He can now from home.

An EPIRB will not allow any of that. So they send out the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Organise a work around before you leave. Much, much better. Beats wasting money. Better to spend it on a first aid course.

Phil

$21 a minute!! My son called me on my Isatphone and it was less than $2 a minute according to him. I think that we are not getting the whole story. How do you explain the difference between the $4 and $21? I can't.

I also do not have any issue with those numbers. I do not call them when remote. Aren't they meant for in-country calls and are usually switched to a "local" number. Doesn't the holder of the number make up the difference and thus effectively pay YOUR phone cost. I think it's a bit unfair asking them to pay for your satellite phone call.

Also if you are referring to my comment about asking people to call back then I suggest you read it again and do not only quote or use one part of the comment. I recommend to anyone reading this bit to go back and see what I said.

Please tell me who else other than Isatphone has a prepaid satellite phone account account? You always seem to be knocking Isatphone yet you have never given me a better prepaid option.

Our phone has cost us a total of $30 for the last two years. That is why I prefer it. Why should I pay a monthly fee if I do not use it.

We check the balance before departure and only use it for emergencies. Called a mate to see where he was once - short call and cost $4.30. Haven't had one yet but am prepared. We do send daily GPS updates. I think they cost 25 cents each or thereabouts.

So we do not have to do any recharging while travelling.

Phil

Phil, my old mans Inmarsat phone is $21 per minute to call him. The deal is now he will call me and I will reimburse him for the call cost. Inmarsat website shows the call rate and depends on the sat phone number prefix.

My iridium sim in my sat sleeve is free for incoming calls.....much better for me.

Brett....

Would that have been from a mobile phone or something? My son called me from home.

I will quote both of you to my Isatphone contact and see what they say.

Phil

Email sent. Let's see what they say.

Phil

This might save you the hassle:

Inbound call costs to Inmarsat Satellite phones.

Cost per minute. Calls are charged in blocks of 30 seconds or part thereof.
GST incl

Calls to Inmarsat Aero numbers beginning with 8705
$10.99/minute

Calls to Inmarsat B numbers beginning with 8703
$5.99/minute

Calls to Inmarsat B HSD numbers beginning with 87039
$19.99/minute

Calls to Inmarsat BGAN numbers beginning with 87077 and 87078
$19.99 per minute

Calls to Inmarsat M numbers beginning with 8706
$3.99/minute

Calls to Inmarsat Mini M numbers beginning with 87076
$3.49/minute

Calls to Inmarsat GAN ISDN numbers beginning with 87060
$14.99/minute

Regards,

Brett....

Well that does not explain why my son paid less than $4. My number starts with 00118707764.

Where did you get that from Brett? You didn't state a reference.

Phil

Phil,

It was an email from inmarsat when I complained about the cost to call their isatphone pro (dads). Telstra charged me a $1 per minute, but the balance was inmarsat at $20 per minute. Your number has 6 digits after 0011 that are the same as my dads.

Your son may have been lucky as calls to your phone are $19.99 per minute.

This was from May this year. They suggested it was significantly cheaper for dad to ring me....I followed their advice and much cheaper now when he calls.

Brett.....

I await their response.

And in any event as I said before, I would pay, so if it is an emergency so be it. Cost is irrelevant in an emergency.

We shall see.

Phil

The $20 per minute to call iSatPhone has always been transparent. This recent thread confirms it is still so. Costs to call iSatPhone

Mh

Sorry but that post doesn't prove a thing. It isn't from Inmarsat or any of Inmarsat's representatives.

I will admit that it MAY be true but until someone can come up with a link to an official Inmarsat statement then I shall wait.

The Jury is still out MH.

Phil

Hi Phil

The person who first told me about the $20 per minute inwards calls when he got his iSatPhone Pro two years ago gave me a link to his provider, but I cannot access their website now. Best I can come up with for now is from a company that sells Iridium and Inmarsat phones on line.

"What can advise is we have seen charges from Telstra from our clients of up to $20 per minute when phoning an Inmarsat isatphone pro satellite phone and substantially less when phoning an iridium satellite phone." from
Satellite Phones Direct

Mh

Thanks MH.

As you may recall I do not even take my mobile phone away.

We didn't want a contract or account where we paid each month. The prepaid we have was the only one available when we got the phone.

So, as I said, if it costs heaps in an emergency then so be it. But I would still like to hear officially from my contact before I go shaming etc them in any way. I don't work that way.Well, I try!! And in saying that, I AM NOT having a go at the bloke who started this thread. He acted in accordance to what he knew. And did not shame nor bad mouth them.

I need to confirm it before I change my Emergency Contact Instructions flyer that I give to the family etc.Well maybe that would stop unnecessary phone calls about "Just don't feel like getting up" or "I have a headache". Joking. They look after themselves very well. My wife did a good job there. That's subtle!!

Fair enough?

Phil

Same here Stephen. It's so easy. (preplanning) We also never use the phone for anything other than emergencies and GPS email.

No chats because someone has a tooth ache at home, or doesn't feel good etc. The sons are all 40+ and they can deal with it.

Phil