Lightweight Satellite Phones‏ – The Next Wave of International Cell Plans

05/27/09  Print This Post Print This Post    5 Comments   Popular   Written by Juliane Huang
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The ultimate in flashpacking gear, satellite handsets are the next evolutionary step for international cell phone plans and companies like Satworx are right at the forefront of change.
Woman using cell phone on the Mekong River, Cambodia

Photo by Lola Akinmade

All satellite handhelds offered by Satworx weigh less than a pound and need only a direct connection with the big, blue sky to be at their A-game.

Deep in the rainforest of Brazil? No sweat.

Navigating through the heart of darkness? Not a thing.

Satworx phones and service ensure that you can be anywhere, doing anything, in any climate and still get a connection. Of course, such incredible convenience comes at a heftier price than your standard international cell phone plan.

“The most popular handset is the 9505a at a retail cost of $1495, though on particular service plans it can be had for $1295,” says Satworx President Ken Grunski. “Airtime calls are generally $1.29/minute from anywhere on the planet to anywhere on the planet.”

Satworx 9505A

With 24/7 technical support as well as an additional layer of local, customized support, Satworx is the ultimate convergence of personal service and online convenience.

“Satworx subscribers can manage their account profile, pay invoices, view call records online, and manage phone inventory,” adds Ken. “The last feature is most useful to larger organizations that wish to track or assign phone responsibility. Nobody wants to leave a $1500 handset lying around.”

And the company offers an amazing range of services, such as tracking airplanes in real-time or outfitting a humvee or small navy ship with a wifi mobile office, in addition to the mobile phone. Did we just blow your mind?

For those interested in the mobile office service, Satworx offers customers this service at a competitive rate.

“For personal broadband devices, the Explorer 110 and Sabre Wideye are best,” says Ken. “While these units are very light at 1kg, they must be stationary to use. They provide voice or internet access just south of Alaska and north of Patagonia. They cost about $1600. Voice calls are $1/min and data is is approx $7/MB though you can purchase bundled data at a discount.”

So flashpacker, come check out these digi-digs and join the apex of technological advancement for travelers.

For more information, visit Satworx’s website.


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About the Author

Matador ID: juliane

Juliane Huang currently writes for Matador from the beautiful city of San Francisco. With a laptop in one arm and a travel bag in the other, Juliane is rarely at home, though always online. Catch up with her on her blog.

5 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Michelle replied on May 27, 2009

    Wow- I knew this was coming, but it’s still crazy! Great article.

    (Report comment)

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  • Colin Wright replied on May 27, 2009

    I can haz?

    But seriously, that is amazing. How long before we’ve all got our own personal satellites in orbit, ready an willing to sync us up with our buddies a world away?

    Isn’t technology wonderful?

    (Report comment)

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  • Carlo replied on May 27, 2009

    The only reason I’d have one is for emergency purposes…say, out in the Australian desert, broken down, gone through the two spares and most of the water.

    Imagine being in the middle of the jungle and some wanker is on his sat phone talking about stocks…

    (Report comment)

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  • Tim Patterson replied on May 28, 2009

    This has got to be the ultimate accessory for flashpackers.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Satcomms replied on June 10, 2009

    Nice article. Satphones are perfect for when you go to the ‘middle of nowhere’.

    (Report comment)

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