Satphone Plans

Submitted: Monday, Mar 01, 2010 at 21:40

ThreadID: 76466 Views:3419 Replies:4 FollowUps:8

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Handheld Satellite Phone Solutions for Travellers

The aim of this article is to provide a simple overview of the current satphone environment in Australia - assisting recreational, outback travellers make informed decisions when considering the

Bob of KAOS

I've been looking at alternatives to using my Next G sim card in the 9505A satphone.

This is a good option if you don't use the phone much (calls are pricy at about $4 a minute), don't want to use the satellite data option, and don't like swapping the sim card from phone to phone.

I was interested in exploring the data service. It isn't clear on the Telstra site but I suspect the connection fee and minimum subscription duration will price this out of consideration. The TMS 80 plan would be great if you could buy it buy the month with no additional charges.

This mob is Australian. The casual monthly plan at $30 enables data calls, but is for a minimum of four months. $120 all up which includes $10 of calls/data a month.

Fastwave are no good for short contracts.

I checked a few overseas providers like Satwest but there was nothing very attractive.

Has anyone had any experience using the Iridium data connection? Any recommendations as to best service provider for short contracts of a month?

Bob

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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 01, 2010 at 23:27

Monday, Mar 01, 2010 at 23:27

Hi Bob

I cancelled by plan with Telstra when they changed the rules and would only suspend for three months. I knew one of the other BT caravanners used TR Telecom for the same price as Telstra, and he found TRT's support person very helpful. For others reading this: If cancelling for a period of inactivity with TR Telecom you get a different number when you re-subscribe, but only immediate family know our number anyway; alternatively you can pay $15 per month the retain the number. At $120 it is cheap insurance even if needed for less than four months.

I had at some stage jotted down the name TC Communications, however looking at their website they seem to be sellers and say nothing about plan costs.

Motherhen

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AnswerID: 406798

Reply By: Peter Horne [Krakka] - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010 at 06:21

Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010 at 06:21

Hi Bob, I have been using TR Telecom for a couple of years now, very good service. Have not used the data side of things, I don't believe you have to pay $30.00 month for 4 months. You can get connected and then ring up the next day and put your account into "suspension" @ $15.00 month, when you want to use it just ring up the day prior and reinstate your account @ the rate of $30.00 month on a pro rata basis.

Regards
Peter

AnswerID: 406817