Immarsat IsatPhone Pro

Graham, I can't find any reference to the Immarsat service or Sats on that thread.

There was references to reception difficulties from the satellites over Indonesia

in the southern states due to their low angle in the sky.


We all know about Global star and the Thuraya one and the Optus one is up there as well.

I think Inmarsat use the same one as Thuraya (not sure)

I did read up about that phone but now wont be worried as tripping is nearly over. Only on the East Coast this year.

Graham, the Thuraya Sat over Indonesia and Immarsat system of Satellites, with the closest one being over PNG are not connected in any way, and don't share any hardware or systems. They are completely unrelated, hence me starting this thread.

I have no interest in Thuraya.

GrumpyOldFart

Take a look here for one available in Australia now.

Also you can get them in the US for $568 USD inc 60 minutes of prepaid that lasts 2 years! US seller of IsatPhone

If they work in Southern Australia then it would be great value.

I asked a question of the seller about the handsets legality in Australia.
Have yet to receive a reply

Here is an explanation of C-tick vs ACMA Licensing

C-Tick / A-Tick approvals and ACMA licensing are two different issues with different processes through different parts of the same Department. C-tick is an approval relating to the safety of the electronic components of the phone (which is also a must). The ACMA licensing has to do with the airtime carriage over Australia and its Territories ... and is not related to the physicality of the device (although it is specific to the phone, but not ABOUT the phone if you know what I mean).

Basically, buy a non ACMA approved sat phone for use in Australia and run the risk of having it shut down. It is illegal. Inmarsat may see the traffic and knowing that it is a commercial service, they may shut it down. Whether this would happen I am not sure, but a commercial service in Aus is not allowed. Inmarsat may do something to protect their relationship with ACMA.

A couple of blokes in the USA successfully showed that the idea of pre-paid was their idea and have since been going around taking various companies to court to get their share of the pre-paid revenues. Inmarsat and others have now ceased to have pre-paid options in the USA.

It would pay to wait for the official Australian release of the ISatphone

GrumpyOldFart,


Also these phones are international roaming phones. Like mobiles, if someone lands in Australia, it will turn on, and work. The phones are identical in every way ( except for the profit margins).