Are you in an area where there is poor or a damaged infrastructure that is not reliable? Well, it might get frustrating to be somewhere where there is no dedicated network. If you are planning to visit an area with no local infrastructure, you might have to find an alternative way of keeping in touch with people.
With your ordinary phone, you might not be able to make a voice or even data communication. Luckily, there are satellite phones that you can count on when the landlines and your cellphone become unreliable. With a satellite phone, you can make voice calls when the local infrastructure gets damaged or limited.
There are several types of satellite phones, but familiar brands are Thuraya and Iridium satellite phones. These models are small, easy to carry, easy to use, and used in Africa and the Middle East.
Before we dive right into the tips on caring for and maintaining your satellite phone, let us discuss some of the features.
What is the Battery Life of a Satellite Phone?
The battery longevity of a satellite phone is highly dependent on the type of network it uses. There are two types of networks that satellite phones use, LEO (low earth orbit) and geosynchronous networks.
The LEO services offer an excellent bandwidth with longer battery life, while geosynchronous networks provide greater bandwidth and shorter battery life.
When To Get a Satellite Phone
Natural disasters come uninvited and when you least expect. It’s good to be prepared for eventualities because you don’t want your communication to be cut off when floods and hurricanes hit your location.
While your cell phone network gets affected because the cell tower is damaged, the satellite phone will not get affected because it doesn’t rely on the cell tower.
Formerly, satellite buyers were governments, public safety agencies, and rescue organizations. However, as the days go by, people are buying satellite phones for their personal use.
It is good to buy a satellite phone because it plays as insurance against damaged communication systems. You want to keep in touch with the world all the time, and a satellite phone guarantees you that connection.
How Do You Select Your Ideal Satellite Phone?
It can be easy to select a cellular phone because you already have one, so you know the features you want for your next phone. However, the case is different when picking an ideal satellite phone because maybe you haven’t purchased one before.
Satellite phones come at different prices depending on the network. When it comes to their sizes, they have a small size and are light as an ordinary cell phone.
You can opt to use a monthly subscription or prepaid recharge for your airtime option. The good thing is satellite phones are cheaper compared to cellular roaming charges in some countries.
As we said, satellite phones come at different prices, and thus the phone you buy depends on your budget. Other factors that you might consider when selecting your ideal satellite phone are:
- Usability. You want to choose a satellite phone that is user friendly so that you don’t get stuck trying to operate it when in emergencies.
- Coverage: One question you need to ask yourself is if the phone offers a global or regional geographic range.
- Unique features like alarm, GPS, and location transmission.
- Data potential, including text messages and emails.
Advantages Of Satellite Phones
- They work when the land-based networks fail. Landlines use cables that may get damaged under extreme weather changes. Your cellphone network may fail too if the network towers get damaged. A satellite phone will still work correctly because it doesn’t depend on towers or cables.
- Satellite phones are durable because they are built to withstand harsh conditions.
- Most satellite phones can work anywhere in the world.
Tips on How to Care and Maintain for Your Satellite Phone
How you treat your cellular phone with so much care, the same care should be applied on your satellite phone. Below are the tips on how to care for and maintain your satellite phone:
Keep It Dry
Your satellite phone can easily get damaged when it gets exposed to liquids and moisture. Some beverages have minerals, and these minerals can cause massive damage to the electronic circuits.
So, what do you do when you accidentally pour liquids on your satellite phone? Most manufacturers recommend removing the battery immediately and letting the phone dry completely before replacing the battery.
You should also avoid using your satellite phone in the rain, and other humid areas like the bathroom.
Don’t Store Your Phone In Cold Places
When you place your satellite phone in cold areas, it gets cold. When you return it to normal temperature, the phone will accumulate moisture inside the boards’ electric circuits.
Avoid Placing Your Phone in Dusty Places
Dirt and dust can cause damage to the electronic and moving parts of your satellite phone. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep your phone away from dirty and dusty surfaces.
Use an Approved Antenna
Do not replace your antenna with an antenna unless your satellite phone manufacturer has approved it. Trying to modify the phone or replacing the antennas with unauthorized antennas might damage your device.
Have A Backup Data
If you want to service your satellite phone or send it for service in any service facility, ensure that you create backup data for your contacts.
Conclusion
Satellite phones are life-saving devices that can come in handy even for personal use. These devices are beneficial when natural disasters kick in, and terrestrial-based services go down. Not only are they essential in times of disasters, but they are useful for communication with people in areas where there is no local infrastructure.
With the above care and maintenance tips, you can extend the life of your satellite phone.
You might also wanna check Satellite Phone Buying: A Comprehensive Guide.
