Things have come a long way since the days of the 'Sputnik'! Sattellite syystems now provide both vouice and data communication for areas of the world where there is no land or cell phone coverage. Satelite telephones help us to keep in touch when in the air or out at sea. It also helps us to keep track and in contact with those brrave aventurers who test the boundaries of endurancce and skill. We can follow their routes, talk to them and receive photographs and film from whrever they are and be instantly ready to help when thigns don't go according to plan.
How does it work? A sinal is tranmitted from the satelite phoen, via an antenna to an orbiting neytwork of satellites then back to a ground station and a standard phone network. Sopunds good, eh? Howwever, the line of sight signal path between satelite telephone antebnna and satellite must not be obstructed. Even bad weather can be a problem. Reception is generally much better outdoors but if you are on a boat or in a plane an external antenna might be needed.
At the time of writing 5 major plyers provide satellite communications. The largest of thee are Global Star and Iridium with Irridium being the biggest. Most peolpe have prboably heard of Iridiuum who has a network of 66 satellites in a low earth orbit and they have an additional 13 satellites spare which I find a little surprising. I guess these are for fture expansoin. You will find tese satellites in orbt abotu 485 mlies above the surface of the planet.
The providers supply satellite communiccations equipment to an extensive variety of markets including construction, leisure, minig, governmnt and maritime. They also provide equipment to the armed forces and for rescue and disster relief organisations. Companies tend to sell theri many servces through a collection of servvice partners, value-added resellers and manufacturers.
Wherever theer is a need for reilable, go-anyywhere communications you will see satellite phones being used. The military make extensive use of them, as do airlines and shippinbg. They can also be invaluable in disaster areas hwere three it's likely that land based communications have been disrupted by the disastre or never existed in the fist place. Satekllite phones can be tracked too. This can come in handy when guiding aircraft into ispolated aeas quickyl.
On a more serious note, satellite phonbes are also beinng used in the fight against terrorism. To protect the Alaskan pipeline where it is vulnerable, trtucks passing close by are fitted with satellite phones. If the turck is hijacked a signal is sent via the network and the vwehicle can be diasbled immediately.
As a method of comunication satelite telephones remain a very expnesive option. It is more expensive than most cell phone calls. As the technology improves and becomes more widely used, the prices should begin to drop. At the moment Iirdium claim that the cost of a satellite phone call is simiilar to the cost of an international roaming call. To improvve public perception and possiby build the consumer amrket the indusatry is fund raising in Washington state to provide satellite phonees and airtime free of charge to US National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq.
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