A satellite phone is a phone which gets connected to the orbital satellite instead of getting connected to the terrestrial satellite. This satellite phones provide similar service like mobile phones like voice and message communication and also have low bandwidth internet access. Depending on the architecture this satellite phone has a coverage of the full earth or some specific regions on earth. The equipment which is mobile is called a terminal. There is no distinguishable difference between the smart phones and the satellite phones. The satellite phones have external connectors to connect it to the external antennas. This phones are also attachable to the cars and buildings.

Since satellite phones are made for some specific purpose, it price depends on the network specifications and the quality of the network. There are companies like Iridium, Thuraya, Globalstar etc. which companies have network and handset for satellite phones. Satellite phones for these companies will cost around 200$ USD. The newest version satellite phones are bit expensive. If the satellite phone service provider encounters that the network is not good then the price will fall and if the new satellite launches then the price will get more.Similarly,handset price will increase if the call rate is cheap. Satellite phones like BGAN costs several thousand US dollars. These phones have voice and data communication (internet service).

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The cost of making a call from a satellite phone to a satellite phone can cost $0.15 to $2 per minute. Calling from a satellite phone to a land-line or a mobile handset is more expensive. Cost is data transmission is much more higher. The receiver of the call in a satellite phone communication costs nothing. But if the caller put some extra instruction like reverse-charge then the receiver of the call needs to be paid for the call.

Geosynchronous Satellite Phone Service:

The satellite phones that use satellites in Geostationary orbit are called as Geosynchronous satellite phones. This satellites remain in a fixed position in the sky. In this system the communication for the network can be maintained using only three to four satellites.So,the launching cost is less in this arena. The satellites used for this service is too heavy like 5000 kg and expensive to build and launch. Because of the large distance from user there is a noticeable time delay in voice communication. The amount of Bandwidth is high in this case, so voice and data communication rate is higher than the low earth orbit system.

The disadvantage in Geosynchronous Satellite phone service is that in a place where there is a large sky, in this areas also some times because of no line of sight calls cannot be made because of the hill and forest. The user must need to go to a area to make a call where the line of sight is possible. But in the LEO satellite this does not happen. Though the signal is got stuck by an obstacle another satellite in the system will cover this and send signal to the satellite phone.

Below are some Geosynchronous satellite phone service company and their operation regions descriptions:

Aces: This provider is comparatively small. This provider provides voice and data communication services. The operating region is east Asia. The service is provided by a single satellite.

Inmarsat: This is the oldest satellite phone service provider. This company started their service in the year 1979.The main business was the installation for the ships. But after that they started a joint venture with AceS to the handheld services. This company is operating with total 12 satellites.Last one was launched in 2010.Coverage for this provider is almost all the regions in earth except the polar areas.

Thuraya: This system is based in UAE. Currently three satellites are providing coverage for this network.It covers most of the regions in euro Asia, Africa and Australia.

MSAT: This is an American based company. This uses equipment similar to Inmarsat, Thuraya but planning to launch a hand held service in Americas like Thuraya.

Terrestar: This satellite phone service is based on North America.

ICO Global Communication: A company which just launched one satellite in the geostationary orbit but the service is not started yet.

Low Earth Orbit Satellite Phone:

The satellite phones which uses the satellites from low earth orbit are called Low Earth Orbit Satellite Phones. The most and the important advantage is seamless coverage around the world regardless of any hindrances. Since the satellites are not stationary, so they need to fly the whole orbit. In this service at least one satellite is with line of sight in any of the region in the world. Two such companies were launched in the year 1990 but went into bankruptcy and now owned by new owner who bought this paying a fraction of money of the original cost.Now they are planning to launch replacement constellation of satellite supporting higher bandwidth. Data transfer seed is like 2200 bits/sec and 9600 bits/sec using satellite phone hand sets.

Globalstar: A network which covers most of the landmass on earth using 44 satellites. Though some areas are not covered since this needs an earth station in between the range of a satellite. There satellites fly in an angel of 52 degree. The network went into limited coverage service at the end of the year 1999.

Iridium:A network that is operating with 66 satellites and claim to have coverage on the whole earth. Commercial service started in 1998.But at fell into bankruptcy soon after its launching. In 2001 this was owned by a new company .

Tracking:

Leo Satellite has the ability to track a mobile unit by using the Doppler shift theory.However,this calculation can be inaccurate up to 10 kilometers but not in all the cases. Sometimes the accuracy is even more good.

One Way Service:

Satellite phones also provide one way service. In some remote areas some satellite phones provide a one-way call alert service. It alerts the user about an incoming call. When the alert is received the user may take the phone in a suitable place and establish communication.

Globstar provides a such kind of one way service.

Satellite phone system Numbering:

Satellite phones are issued with a special country calling code number. Inmarsat satellite phones are issued with a number +870.Iridium satellite phones are issued with a code +881 6 and +881 7. Globstar allocated the number +881 8 and +881 9. Samaller regional satellite services are allocated with the number +882.This all are standardized by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union).