Inmarsat IsatPhone Help.

Submitted: Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 16:05

ThreadID: 85958 Views:3928 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

Dennis Ellery

I am thinking of buying the Isatphone in Australia to obtain the 50% government rebate.
But instead buying the Sim Card from the US as it is half the cost of the Australian.

The Australian dealer says the US sim card won’t work in the Australian phone –possibly something to do with locking onto a different satellite.
Has anyone had any problems with either - the US card in an Australian phone - or the complete US phone with its US card.

Regards Dennis

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Reply By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 16:19

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 16:19

Dennis Hi,
I recently bought a Isatphone the sim card was with the unit (sealed in box)from the dealer that I bought from. Another dealer wanted $30.00 for the sim card?? Personally I couldnt be bothered with the hassels to save possibly $2.00 after postage etc. That aside cannot understand why a sim card from the US would not work on a global sat phone.
If I can be of any help mm.
I have opted for pre paid.
Mike.

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 18:51

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 18:51

Thanks for that Mike.
As far as I can see the US prepaid cards work out at about $1 a minute talk time as opposed to Australian sourced prepaid at about $2 a minute talk time. When my missus gets talking we aren’t talking peanuts.
Regards Dennis

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Follow Up By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 23:28

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 23:28

Dennis,
Regardless, when You buy prepaid in Australia You are buying in USA. When I bought my prepaid the exchange rate was approx $0.98 As You are buying units of credit it works out to approx 80cents per minute to a landline.
There is no cost for an incoming call, But the caller had best check the call rate with their service provider. Telstra quoted me $20.00 per 30seconds. If you buy the phone it is pretty easy to work out an alternative to that.
What area are You in?
Hope this is of some help.
Mike.

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Reply By: Fisholot - Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 20:43

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 20:43

Hi Dennis, I have been doing a bit of research into the same phone and pre paid call plan.Check this mob out, their prices are reasonable and the pre paid plans are cheap and have a 2 year expiry date.

http://www.satphonesonline.com/

Cheers John

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 10:10

Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 10:10

Thanks John - it seems just what I want.
Regards Dennis

FollowupID: 725527

Follow Up By: Member - Robert R1 (SA) - Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 15:38

Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 15:38

Fishalot,

I see that they have an Iridium 50 min PSTN prepaid for $63.00 which doesn't have an expiry date shown. Do you know if this plan has a 2 year expiry date? I have an Iridium 9505a sat phone. I intended to use my mobile sim card for the odd time I might need to make a call but 50 minutes would last me months and be a better option.

Regards,
Bob

And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended, And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars. Clancy of the Overflow.

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Follow Up By: Fisholot - Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 18:13

Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 18:13

Hi Robert, I don't know about the Iridium plan, I see the other Iridium plans have expiry dates but there is none mentioned for the 50 min prepaid option. It might pay to contact the seller (No affiliation etc.) to clarify things re the 50 min prepaid option. Sorry I can't throw much light on the situation.

Cheers John

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Follow Up By: Member - Robert R1 (SA) - Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 18:30

Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 18:30

Thanks Fishalot. I will do that.

Bob

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Reply By: Member Dick - Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 22:39

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 22:39

Hi Dennis

I have no experience with the Isatphone but on the Motorola 9505A's that we have which were purchased in Australia, we have always used SIM cards from SatCom Direct in the U.S.

Cheers
Dick

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Reply By: GrumpyOldFart - Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 11:20

Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 11:20

Dennis
I can't see any problems as such. Inmarsat and the IsatPhone are global devices so will work anywhere.
I would ask questions like,
if I have a problem with my sim card/phone how easy will it be to sort out?
If in an emergency how long will it take to recharge my sim card?

With a USA based card both of these may require calls to USA? from the middle of nowhere on your sat phone??

I have an IsatPhone on the $16.50/month plan and the call rates are the same as the SATPHONESONLINE link plus our Govts GST.

I went through Jacki Wilon from Safecity in Canberra
E-Mail: jwilon@safecity.com.au
Ph: 02 6280 9447

There is also a little sneaky bit where you can email an IsatPhone direct and it come in as a text message - all free. Oh and you can reply from your phone to the computer for the cost of an SMS. The IsatPhone can also send your GPS position as an SMS or eMail to whoever you like.

I have no affiliation with Safecity other that a very happy customer.

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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 11:58

Saturday, Apr 30, 2011 at 11:58

Same here. And no affiliation.

I hate monthly plans as I do not use the phone much. On a recent trip we did not make one call on either the mobile, when in range, nor the sat phone when in the bush. Prepaid is best for us. Anyway the phone is only for emergencies.

Phil

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