Sat Phone

Any prepaid accounts available?

I don't have an iPhone. Never needed one. But if they have a prepaid account then it may be worth investigating.

I don't care what satellite system its with. I just want access to a prepaid satellite phone for emergencies where I don't have to waste monthly funds on. I honestly do not use a mobile. I use the home land line and if I am not home it can darn well wait. It did for decades before they hit the "scene".

Phil

The problem is, "Prices and Rates for Australian SatSleeve users to be announced soon!" has been shown for some 6 months since I discovered their Web site.

I have an iPhone so am fairly keen on the product, but the waiting is becoming a bit "Ho Hum!"

They were selling them at the Sydney International Boat Show, but were very limited. The company I spoke too were using it thru a pivotel contract

Sat sleeves are available now,
I'm currently thinking about a purchase of a 'Sat Sleeve' to replace my cumbersome Motorola 9505 (which is on the Iridium network)
The sat sleeve set up is approx twice as 'thick' as an iPhone.... so it is comparatively smaller & much lighter than the Motorola it will still fit in your shirt pocket.
The biggest stumbling block for me is that it uses the Thuraya satellite system which I believe is inferior to the Iridium system.....especially in the lower half of Oz.
(I was pleasantly surprised when the sales person showing me this phone adaptor agreed with my comments on connectivity problems with Thuraya)
Cost of the sleeve set up is $799 less the Govt rebate.... which I think makes it a very attractive price.... that doesn't cover the cost of the iPhone which you would already have or have to purchase to go with the Sat Sleeve.
My dealer 'sells' plans on the Pivotel network $15 month casual plan drop in & out as you wish with a $25 connection fee.
Calls are charged @ $1 per minute (think I'm paying something like that now for my 'ordinary' mobile)
Another really GREAT thing with the pivotel network you get an Australian mobile number NOT an international one so it is NO dearer for someone to call you than them ringing an 'ordinary mobile'.

Gee I think I have talked my self into getting one of these. Just got to get my head around having to use the Thuraya system.

Disclaimer....

I have NO affiliation or connection with 'my' dealer but he seems to be very knowledgeable but his contact details are Lake Macquarie Communications @ Gateshead (Newcastle) Doug Taylor is his name. His contact number is 02 49421966 www.lakecomm.com.au

So this only works with the iPhone 4? I think that's already been discontinued here in the U.S.

I use a satsleeve with an iPhone 4. I use the iridium network. I believe that they have not been using the thuraya network in Australia, but I may be wrong.

The iPhone 4 works perfectly with it and so too does my wife's iPhone 5....all though the iPhone 5 does not dock in the cradle and does not need to as it operates through a bluetooth connection.

The whole unit is quite sturdy and locks onto satellites swiftly, faster than my previous Motorola.

There is a new version almost here for iPhone 5's (I can purchase a cradle for mine to dock the iPhone 5). The new one will have data though which I don't have. I wait for terrestrial coverage before downloading due to cost.

The satsleeve is a sleek unit, and will also run with the iPhone having a flat battery.

Brett....