There are innumerable brands available of which the following are worthwhile: (1) Globalstar, (2) Iridium, (3) Inmarsat, (4) Thuraya, (5) Pelican, (6) RBGAN, and (7) NERA. The price of a satellite phone handset ranges from $275 to $9500 depending upon the type of services provided. A voice and slow access data phone handset will attract the minimum price whereas a high quality voice together with a real fast data transfer will cost much more, may be from $5500 to $9500. Data cables, SIM Cards etc., cost you more. The rates are on the basis of (1) rate of incoming calls and, (2) rate of outgoing calls per minute. Most companies do not charge, or, charge very little connection charges. In addition they also slap on you a service charge every time you renew.
In case you want to rent, may be you are called to pay $45 to $ 475 per week towards rental; depending primarily on the type of handset you want. Whether you use it or not, you may have to pay an average daily minimum usage of 3 minutes, and in some cases, even more. Some satellite phone companies require you to pay weekly insurance, which, in all probability, will cost you between $25 to $45 per week!
Iridium does not charge you any connection charges. However, they charge $.21 towards monthly subscription. Suppose you talk from your Iridium handset to another Iridium handset within the United States, you may have to shell out $.50 per minute. In the event of the call being an international one, you may have to pay $1.50 per minute. In all other cases where you talk from your Iridium handset to various other satellite phone systems, the charges are an exorbitant $8.50 per minute.
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