satelite phones

Yes, that would probably be the go. See if you can round up some pre paid cards also, so that you don't keel over at the call charges :)

Thanks for that, looking a lot like a Globalstar now as plans are a lot cheaper than telstra.

Do not forget about rebate

Serg

Good point. There is a commonwealth rebate of up to $1500 if you can show that you'll be out of normal mobile/comms coverage for more than 3 months in the year. Most of the dealers will have the paper work. It's easy and quick to get a result on. I have the globalstar digital and have gone over to Carrier pidgon! The service and reliability is lacklustre at best.

Cheers. Mick.

I would go Iridium, and as I was advised look at plans through TRTelecom, think that was right. Check on google for site address.
Cheers Pete and Lez

It would very much seem that with a satphone you just get what you pay for.
We have owned a Westinghouse/Optus connect satphone for the last 10 yrs. which works 100% of the time, no dropouts, no system failure. Can access voice, data and fax.
It is not the cheapest by any means, but what value does one put on a life threatening emergency.
We work (seasonally) in SW Qld. and have used it once to contact Charleville RFDS (all RFDS nos. programmed in) in an emergency call.
furph

Globalstar...................Got a good one here..............cost me $2000 12 mths ago...........you can have it for $100

Cheers...............BIGDOG

Robert,

We purchased an Iridium phone through Telstra, a couple of years ago, and have found it quite good.

Are on the $50/month plan which gave us the full $1500 rebate, and $20 of free calls per month.

While travelling, we have assisted other travellers, once for a rollover, and the other for vehicle breakdown. Occasionally, we use it for private use, or when our Telstra system is cactus. With retirement not too many years away, it is to be part of our travel plans.

The station has a Globalstar phone, and while the clarity of calls is excellent, one can rarely ever make a call, because there's no service!

I'd say an excellent choice for a Chrissy present for your son, and very useful.

We live on a one million acre place, not so big after all!

Hooroo,
Bob.

Globalstar could well be a cheaper plan but if you wish to make or receive calls that is not an option they can guarantee, at least not until 2011

Neil

Definately go Iridium, if you want a plan forget about telstra, other resellers have better deals, if you dont want a plan do as suggested, use a gsm sim in the phone.
A bloke told me early next year new handsets will be available for iridium, heaps smaller than my 9505A which is nearly 3 years old, about time they upgraded, might be true, who knows.
Dean