Satellite phones - prepaid
Submitted: Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 23:23
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Motherhen
Met a fellow caravanner with satellite phone on a prepaid scheme through fastwave.com.au. Sounds like a good idea for holiday use each year, rather than pay monthly and only be likely to use the call allocation a few weeks or months of the year, and have only the small allocation per month while away. Prepaid sounds so much more fliexible - can use the calls any time within the 12 months.
I have heard that you can now get satellite plus Next G in the one handset.
Any feedback on these two?
Thanks
Motherhen
Reply By: Jeelan - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 01:56
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 01:56
i just had a look at their pre-paid airtime plans - it doesnt say whether the handset cost is additional or not.
I'm not sure how much handsets are lately but i purchased a Motorolla 9505A outright several yrs ago and i just activate the sim card when i'm travelling. I get charged $30 per calender month plus call costs when the phone is "active" and when i finish my trip, i ring my provider and they "suspend" my account again. I use the phone at least 6-10 weeks a year.
i'm with TC Communications and use the Iridium network which i've found to hv the most global coverage as i do a fair bit of expedition style trekking overseas.
cheers
Jeelan
AnswerID:
315361
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 19:00
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 19:00
Thanks Jeelan - I didn't know you could 'suspend' the account. The scheme i mentuioned does not include phone or network. It was a purchased phone, and operating on Iridium.
Do yoiu have website details for TC Communications?
Thanks
Mh
FollowupID:
581819
Reply By: Member - Footloose - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 06:57
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 06:57
You can also buy network access pre paid cards from most sat companies. If you are happy to have a long phone number and relatively high call costs, XSat in the US do a great deal on them, way better than the local ripoffs. (no affiliation)
Also keep an eye on Optus and the new Thruya service, looking good but as for coverage it appears unproven in many remote areas so far.
But for the casual user, the Telstra SIM is probably the easier way to go.
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315367
Reply By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 08:52
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 08:52
What happens if you run out of airtime and you have an emergency? Does 000 still work? The $10 NextG casual arrangement with global roaming on an Iridium works for our use - SMS to say we've arrived and if there's an emergency then cost is irrelevant. SMS cost is $1.55 and voice about $4/min.
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 10:25
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 10:25
I slip my Next G SIMcard into my Satphone. It has to be activated for int'l roaming first. Then I just use it when I need to. Call costs are relatively high, about $5 per minute, in and out, but I use the same number as my regular mobile which is handy for family: no separate sat number to deal with.
No plans, no separate number, no monthly access fee.
Suits me for the occasional use it gets.
The external antenna with the 9505A works great taped to the roof.
AnswerID:
315394
Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 18:24
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 18:24
Gone Bush,
if your children/friends are on Telstra my hour, my understanding is that they can call you during their my hour at no cost to them, if am not sure about your cost thou.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 19:05
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 19:05
Hi Gone Bush
I noted the discussion on this before we left, but our phones are pre paid and we can't get international roaming (tried when we wnet to Bali last year). I understand that since then Telstra will allow the internaitonal to certain nominated destinations overseas, but using the card this way is not like going to Fiji (or where ever it was they allowed international).
What Sat phone do you have?
I have also recently heard that you can now get combination Satellite and Next G phones.
Mh
FollowupID:
581821
Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 18:19
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 18:19
I have a sat phone on the Iridium network at $25 per month including $20 of calls. Call cost 60c connection plus 90c / min. Incoming calls at normal mobile rates.
wouldn't take long to get to the $20 but I believe it is a $25 insurance policy whilst traveling (planed 15 years)
AnswerID:
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Reply By: samsgoneagain - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 20:51
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 20:51
if its a 'mobile' coverage the emergency number is 122 for ANY phone able to reach ANY network regardless of who your network carrier is .
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315497