Satelite Phones Again
Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 18:18
ThreadID: 152212
Views:709
Replies:3
FollowUps:9
jeff r
I haven't used my Motorola 9505 since 2018. In those days I would just use my telstra sim with international roaming. Whilst call costs were expensive I only used it only for emergencies. So cost was not an issue.
I will be in need of a Satphone later this year, taking my grandson on his 1st
Madigan Line crossing (i've done this trip twice before 2009 and 2013 and aware of the issues and conditions.)
That's the situation, now the question is can I still use the method mentioned above to operate my motorola 9505. Telstra advised that I need to purchase a specific satphone sims and purchase on a plan I don't want to do that as the cost is prohibitive. The only other method I'm aware of is to buy time from Pivotal or some such company.
Any thoughts (I have looked at archived subject matter but that is somewhat dated info now)
Thanks Jeff
Reply By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 19:44
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 19:44
Hi Jeff
Have you looking into Starlink Mini. $8.50 a month on the standby mode, no costs for phone calls and your phone calls are just like on a network, not that lag like on a Sat phone.
So many more advantages with Starlink.
AnswerID:
648972
Follow Up By: jeff r - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 21:44
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 21:44
But dont you have to buy the dish and other box thingos before you do that monthly cost of $8.50
FollowupID:
930623
Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 22:04
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 22:04
Correct Jeff, but a fraction of the cost of a sat phone and far cheaper to operate.
A Starlink Mini is an all in 1, the dish has the inbuilt modem, so just power it up and away you go.
How much is the monthly fee for your sat phone and then the cost of making a phone call ?
Can your sat phone give you internet access ?
Yes I have a pre paid sat phone but Starlink Mini is the true game changer in modern, reliable Outback communications.
FollowupID:
930624
Follow Up By: jeff r - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 21:11
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 21:11
Thanks again Steven for your informative replies.
Jeff
FollowupID:
930630
Follow Up By: Member - peter_mcc - Friday, Feb 27, 2026 at 12:21
Friday, Feb 27, 2026 at 12:21
I'm not that old but remember clearly the old dialup modem days with 9600bps (or less) connections. It looks like in standby mode you get an unlimited 500kbps connection - seems like luxury! It should easily be enough for a phone call.
The equipment is on sale at the moment ($399) so lots cheaper than my now dead Thuraya sat phone was.
FollowupID:
930632
Reply By: Member - RobnJane(VIC) - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 19:56
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 19:56
Hi Jeff,
We were surprised last year, by lack of service on our sat phone /Telstra 9505. We spoke to Telstra in
Alice Springs and learnt what you did, so now use the Pivotel service.
Pivotel offer a service that requires 6 months at a nominal ‘standby rate’ of approx $18 per month then 6 months on approx $84. So that all adds up, so next communication step might need to be Starlink mini
Pivotel are good to work with, just the $$$$ seem a bit much when we only really need the sat phone for 3 months a year
Hope this is helps
Rob
AnswerID:
648973
Follow Up By: Member - RobnJane(VIC) - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 19:58
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 19:58
Ha! Just saw the other post and that info really makes my response obsolete!!!
Rob
FollowupID:
930622
Follow Up By: kevin c - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 05:58
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 05:58
Hi Rob,
Have Pivotel done away with their casual monthly Iridium satellite plan?
Kevin
FollowupID:
930625
Follow Up By: Member - RobnJane(VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 07:55
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 07:55
Kevin,
I’m not sure what our Pivotel plan is called, when we signed up it was around $65 a month for 6 active months and then around $15 for the suspended months. The suspended fee is still $15 per month
I suggest you check with Pivotel as our switch to Pivotel was made very much on the hop
Rob
FollowupID:
930626
Reply By: jeff r - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 21:42
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 21:42
Never thought of starlink particularly at that price. I'll look at that
Thanks
AnswerID:
648974
Follow Up By: Member - Ups and Downs - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 07:55
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 07:55
Starlink Mini currently on special at around $395 down from $500+.
FollowupID:
930627
Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 10:52
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 at 10:52
Have a look at the Starlink Mini Users Australia Facebook page. Depending on how you want to mount it eg permanently on the vehicle or just deploy as required you may need to spend ~$300 for a cradle, cable and a suitable power supply as the dish comes with a 240V adaptor.
FollowupID:
930628