PrePaid SatPhone resellers - Inmarsat
Submitted: Friday, Aug 14, 2020 at 17:54
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140370
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Member - 4wdcamper
Hello everyone,
I have just found out my usual PrePaid SatPhone provider "sold" all of it's prepaid customers to another provider. Apparently this occurred at the end of 2019. They say emails were sent out. I never received any notification and at least one of my friends who also "used" the same provider did not receive any emails about the sale of PrePaid accounts and SIM's.
The new provider does not offer PrePaid plans in there Internet
shop front. PrePaid plans have to be purchased over the phone during normal business hours!
So I'm on the search for a new PrePaid Satphone provider. I use Inmarsat, however most PrePaid resellers sell plans for all Sat carriers.
I only use a Satphone when travelling in the outback, so not looking for a post paid contract.
Thanks In Advance.
Regards
David
It means I'll get a new SIM and a new number
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 07:39
Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 07:39
Hi David,
Have you tried The Satphone
Shop? They offer pre paid SIM cards on line. They will send it out both activated and not activated. This allows you you travel before you need to activate your card and start incurring time.
Macca.
AnswerID:
632969
Reply By: Member - willawa - Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 12:20
Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 13:37
Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 13:37
Probably depends upon how you want to use the phone when in the outback - regular use or emergency use only. The choice can make quite a difference as to whichbpre-paid 'plan is the best value to you.
For us, with a Thuraya phone Pivotel's casual plan suits us
well - our use is emergency only. ($15 per month & $1 per minute/0.50c per text. Standard Aus number so costs same as normal mobile for others to call us.
Pivotel also do Immarsat plans, but I have no idea how competitive they are.
https://www.pivotel.com.au/inmarsat-call-rates/
AnswerID:
632977
Follow Up By: Gramps - Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 13:45
Saturday, Aug 15, 2020 at 13:45
Agree with Cuppa. Thuraya/Pivotel casual plan works fine.
Regards
FollowupID:
909873
Reply By: Phil G - Sunday, Aug 16, 2020 at 10:21
Sunday, Aug 16, 2020 at 10:21
I have used Satphonesales for many years - great service and simply buy Inmarsat vouchers online. Just noticed they have a discount going on some at the moment.
https://satphonesales.com.au/collections/inmarsat-pre-paid
The vouchers have 12 month expiry and I think they still send you a new SIM for free.
And I'm guessing you are aware that you can receive the free Inmarsat messages via the Inmarsat website even though you have no active credit. And emergency calls to 000 do not require credit.
For those reasons we don't activate credit unless we need to reply.
AnswerID:
632986
Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Sunday, Aug 16, 2020 at 11:16
Sunday, Aug 16, 2020 at 11:16
Re (emergency calls to 000 do not require credit)
Hope there is not time limit on this facility as the last time I had paid credit was 3 years ago. ( read years ago only good for a year with Inmarsat)
Last time I had paid credit it was $89 for 1 month and for xx minutes use , did not use it at all, now I rely on the Mobile phone aerial above the Cruiser roof and a Blue tick Phone and a Mobile phone aerial above the caravan aerial and same Blue tick phone or Telstra Modem via an RF Switch, with the Inmarsat 000 phone as the emergency (Fire Police Ambo) contact.
And Not ( aware that you can receive the free Inmarsat messages via the Inmarsat website even though you have no active credit) So next trip I should try this..... Thanks Phil
FollowupID:
909881
Follow Up By: Phil G - Sunday, Aug 16, 2020 at 16:49
Sunday, Aug 16, 2020 at 16:49
Gday Peter,
Yes receiving messages without needing credit is great and is one reason I'm sticking with Inmarsat. I
test it out each year to make sure nothings changed and it worked fine when I tested it last month. We spend a fair bit of time out of range in the Flinders and its good to know that if there's a problem you can either activate the credit or drive to Arkaroola or Wilpena to use a Telstra mobile.
Free messages are here:
http://connect.inmarsat.com/Services/Land/IsatPhone/SMS/sms.html
FollowupID:
909885
Follow Up By: gke - Monday, Aug 17, 2020 at 20:55
Monday, Aug 17, 2020 at 20:55
Thank you for that information Phil as I was unaware of that . I just successfully tested it.
I use ClientSat vouchers which can be activated in the field as required ie don't need internet to activate, unlike others I am told. I was aware of the free 000 call.
All the best,
Graham.
FollowupID:
909907
Follow Up By: Phil G - Monday, Aug 17, 2020 at 21:02
Monday, Aug 17, 2020 at 21:02
Hi Graham,
Yeah just activate the voucher using the voucher number when you need to call or message. Works straight away.
But receiving the free messages and being able to SMS your reply is great with the Inmarsat.
The cost of vouchers over the years has gone up and the duration of the vouchers has gone down which is a bit of a pain. When I bought it many years ago the credit would last 2 years
FollowupID:
909908