Satellite Phones vs. Cell Phones (Which One is Right for You?)

There are several factors that differentiate satellite phones from cell phones. How they work, their utility and cost simply to name a few.

Functionality Differences

Cellular phones or cell phones use small stations or towers better-known as ‘cells’ from which they obtain their signals and to which they send signals. As the user moves from one destination to the next, his call or his cellular service is passed on from cell to the next. The mobile telephone is thus in consecutive property with the several cells of the network provider and the individual can talk on the move. This is thus better-known as mobile connectivity.

Satellite phones on the else hand, do not use ‘cells’ or towers. They activity with satellites orbiting the Earth. These Low Earth Orbiting or LEO satellites obtain signals from the satellite phone handsets and send signals to these handsets as required. The satellite phones send signals to the satellite, which passes it on to a gateway. The entree routes the calls to the receiver. Also, all calls ready-made to the satellite phones are routed via the satellites.

Differences In Area Coverage

Cellular phone companies generally provide network coverage in densely inhabited areas. Since the companies have to set up ‘cells’ to be able to provide coverage, they need a high number of subscribers to justify setting up the cell. In thinly inhabited areas or remote areas with difficult terrains, the cost of providing coverage is often much than the expected returns. Hence, spell cell phones activity great in densely inhabited areas, they may or may not activity in inaccessible locations.

Satellite phones communicate with the LEO satellites and not with any ‘cells’ on Earth. Hence, the coverage provided by satellite phone companies is far greater than that provided by cellular phone companies. Since satellite companies don’t have to set up cells from destination to destination, they offer service in a wider area and several even as offer it across the globe.

Usability Differences

Cell phones have become an absolute necessity for much all urban residents. In fact, a large number of folk are opting to have cell phones instead of the traditional landlines. Cell phones are perfect to use spell on the come in metropolitan cities. For marketing and sales executives, employees, CEOs, managers, mothers, students and simply about all folk in several walks of life - cell phones provide a high value service. They are likewise a great option to surf the net, listen to music and exchange photos. In short, cell phones have become the single all-purpose media electronic instrument of the Twenty-first century.

Satellite phones on the else hand, are perfect for use in remote and thinly inhabited areas wherever cellular companies do not provide network coverage. Satellite phones are likewise extremely handy in situations once cellular networks go down. Such situations generally arise in times of natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and floods once the ‘cells’ that way calls are damaged.

Satellite phones have the advantage in such conditions since natural disasters do not affect the LEO satellites. Thus spell cellular phone networks are down, satellite phones continue to function as normal. This has so saved many an lives in the recent past.

Satellite phones are likewise the perfect option for companies that have research laboratories or departments in isolated areas like Alaska, Geographical area and Antartica. Adventurers who oft-times travel to densely inhabited tropical forests, high mountain areas and across oceans likewise prefer the better coverage provided by satellite phones.

Differences In Cost

As is to be expected, cellular phones are far cheaper to operate and maintain than satellite phones. The cellular phone handsets as well as the subscription plans offered by cellular service providers are extremely inexpensive and cost barely a few cents per minute.

Satellite phones on the else hand are expensive. The satellite phone hand sets or the fixed satellite phone sets cost a pretty penny as makes the satellite phone service provided by leaders in the industry like Metal and Globalstar. At an average satellite phones can cost thing from $600 to $1000 with price going up to $1.50 per minute for talktime.

Thus, cell phones and satellite phones are several a boon to the earth of communication and several service users in several route and under differing conditions

About The Author

Rex Strong is the owner and operator of www.satellitephonesite.com. A site dedicated to providing information simply about the satellite phone arena to the general consumer. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2005.

This article was announce on Gregorian calendar month 28, 2005