Thuraya Provider instead of Optus
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 02, 2023 at 11:58
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Malcom M
We have a Thuraya Sat Sleeve which was connected via Optus.
Optus recently abandoned Thuraya so I'm wondering which other suppliers users are having good experiences with?
Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Sunday, Apr 02, 2023 at 20:07
Sunday, Apr 02, 2023 at 20:07
We went with Pivotel
AnswerID:
643236
Reply By: mepvic - Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 08:46
Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 08:46
We also went with Pivotel. Have been with them for 10 years. Great product and very flexible. We set it up a week or so before we leave and cancel when we get back from our trip.
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643241
Follow Up By: mepvic - Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 13:43
Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 13:43
Pivotel use the Thurayar Geostationary (GEO) satellite network. In Australia the satellite is in a stationary orbit over the equator near Indonesia. You have to point the antenna towards it. We have used it as low as
Melbourne. Not sure what it is like further south in Tasmania
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Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 14:45
Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 14:45
mepvic, we tested our Thuraya phone & got a full signal at
Cockle Creek .Can't get a lot further south in Tassie than than that.
Only time we were unable to get a signal was at
Portland Roads, up near the top of
Cape York. We had two Thuraya phones with us at the time & both were unsuccessful - for 24 hours whilst a monsoon trough storm front sat over the top of us. :) No sat service would have worked at the time. Which was a bugger as we actually needed comms that day! 24 hours later both worked again (& our internet with wifi calling returned too).
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922870
Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 09:25
Monday, Apr 03, 2023 at 09:25
Pivotel casual plan - $16.50 per month plus calls (@ $1 a minute, 50 cents for texts). Standard Australian mobile number so folk can call you for no cost if they have an unlimited call plan. Plan can be placed on hold when not being used for $7.50 a month - retaining the same number, or cancelled from month to month (but new number & set up fee required each time it is put back into use).
We have been on this plan for 6 or 7 years now & recommend it as the most cost effective 'emergency use sat phone plan' available. If you want to use it for regular chatting to family & friends get them to call you by sending them a text OR choose other plans with call costs included.
Have never had any problem with Pivotel. We get a monthly email informing us of them taking the $16.50 direct debit & have access online to the account & support if required (never has been though).
AnswerID:
643242
Reply By: b1b - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2023 at 13:59
Tuesday, Apr 04, 2023 at 13:59
As above - Pivotel. The casual plan works for me and the system appears to work satisfactorily for where I am and where I want it to work.
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643254
Reply By: Member - 2208mate - Wednesday, Apr 05, 2023 at 13:36
Wednesday, Apr 05, 2023 at 13:36
Another easy sideways move to Pivotel on a casual plan for me.
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643266