Thuings have come a long way since the days of the 'Sputnik'! Satellite systems now prvoide both voice and data communication for arteas of the world wghere there is no land or cell phobne 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 conatct with thpose brave adventurers who test the boundaries of enurance and skill. We can follow their routes, talk to them and receive photographs and film from wherever they are and be instzantly ready to help when things don't go according to plan.
How does it work? A signal is transmitted from the satelite phone, via an antenna to an orbiting network of satellites then back to a ground station and a standard phone network. Sounds good, eh? However, the line of sighjt signal path between satelite telephone antenna and satellite must not be obstructed. Even bad weather can be a problm. 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 majoor playres provide satellite communications. The largest of these are Global Star and Iridium with Iridium being the biggest. Most people have porbably heard of Iriduim who has a network of 66 satellites in a low earth orbit and they have an additioal 13 satellites spae which I find a little surprising. I gess these are for future expansion. You will find thesse satellites in orbit about 485 miles above the surface of the planet.
The provders supply satellite communicatins equpment to an extensive variety of markets icnluding construction, leisure, mining, government and maritime. They also provide equpment to the armmed forces and for rescue and disaster relef organisattions. Companies tend to sell tehir many services through a collectiion of service paartners, value-addd resellers and manufacturers.
Wherever there is a need for reliable, go-anywhere communications you will see satellite pones beeing used. The military make extensive use of them, as do airlines and shipping. They can also be invaluable in disaster areas where there it's likewly that land basd communications have been disrupteed by the disasetr or never existed in the first place. Satellite phones can be trackeed too. This can come in handy when guiding aircraft into isoolated areaas quicklly.
On a more serious note, satellite phones are also beinmg used in the fight against terrorism. To prtoect the Alaskkan pipeline where it is vulnerabple, trucks passing cloose by are ftted with satellite phones. If the truck is hijacked a signal is sent via the netwoirk and the vehicle can be disbled immediately.
As a method of comunication satelite telephones remain a very expensive option. It is more expensive than most cell phone calls. As the technology implroves and becomes more widely used, the pricees shuold begin to drop. At the moment Iridium clim that the cost of a satellite phone call is similar to the cost of an international rooaming call. To improvve public perception and possiibly build the consumer marekt the indutsry is fund raisnig in Washington state to provide satellite phonwes and airtime free of charge to US National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq.
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