satellite phones

Sorry, Tony H thread 7 is about lpg availability, not sat phone sleeve

Gday
106781 is the thread you are after

The Satellite Smart Sleeve I queried is a sleeve that an Iphone5 fit into, it come with its own separate battery, sim card and antenna. This then makes it into a satellite phone. It is made by Thuraya and marketed through the Pivotel group.Cost of the sleeve is around $850,(and can be purchased with the satellite phone subsidy if condition are met), Min charges for use trough Pivotel are $25 pm and $1 a minute to make calls. There is no charge to receive calls and callers are only charged normal mobile call rates, even calls made from a "free hour" are free to this phone. More information is available from Thuraya Satellite Sleeve on the Pivotel Webb site.

"Sorry, Tony H thread 7 is about lpg availability, not sat phone sleeve"

NN - You can't count! Tony is correct.

Krooznalong, if you put No 7 in the tread search box it will come up a question about lpg availability, if you count down 7 threads from mine you will see a thread about placing a sat phone sim card in a Iphone, this is not what I asked about. This forum seems to have a high content of nit picking persons lately. A thank You in advance to those that can correctly read my query and can assist.

Be quick as the sat phone subsidy has been cut back and finishes soon

I don't know if the sat phone subsidy is available for the Thuraya Sleeve.

What price is the sleeve? I may not be a bargain compared to a second hand phone (no subsidy available), of even an IsatphonePro on Inmarsat network (subsidy available for those eligible if purchased new and conditions met).

The subsidy was extended for twelve months last year, and will not be replaced with another scheme this time when it finishes on 30 June 2014. Applications MUST be in by 5 pm 31 March 2014.

Mh

The price of the Satellite Sleeve is $849 and is approved by the Sat Phone Subsidy scheme, so hat brings the price to $425. However how long will the Iphone5 be of use with this set up???? should one just purchase a new sat phone with the subsidy instead?.

I agree NN. You will probably get a new IsatphonePro for around the same or less if you need a satellite phone for regular communication and better network coverage. If only for occasional and emergency use, a second hand Iridium with your SIM card or a new SIM on a $10 per month casual plan would work out more economical.

Mh

I bought the sleeve with an Iphone 4s adaptor, the impression I got was if the Iphone was up dated an adaptor would be made.

Hi Motherhen,

I was told by a mate that his Telstra sim stopped working in his Iridium phone the other day. I am not sure if it's something he has done however have you check yours in the last 2 weeks? I would love to know if it still works or if it's just a once off with my mates phone or sim?

Thanks

The answers you have so far look good for the SIM card method tiffanymatthew, but must be on a plan with international roaming enabled. Note the change in price on the cheapest casual plan. However if you already have a mobile on a plan you can put that in if you need to use the satellite phone. If not, and $25 per month is the cheapest you can get, it would probably be worthwhile taking out a $35 per month short term plan with an alternative provider as this includes $10 of calls per month.

Motherhen

Hi

Good, hardly used iridium sat phones on ebay for much less than new price. No warranty I suppose but you can buy two used (older model) ones for the price of one new one in some cases...so pretty good value.

Cheers
Greg