A satellite phone or satphone is a mobile phone waiting for incoming and outgoing calls with the use of satellites rather than landlines or cellular broadcasting signals. A satellite phones only requires a clear line of sight to the sky. The benefit of a satellite mobile phone is that it can complete calls from anywhere. A satellite phone can operate in the middle of the Sahara desert, at the top of Mount Everest, or from a clearing deep within a South African jungle. It is an indispensable tool for far away expiditions of all kinds, and provides solid communication on the seas and in the air.

A disadvantage of a satellite phone is a noticeable delay in conversations. The signal must first travel to the satellite, next, back to an earthbound gateway before go to the receiver. The receiver's response will follow the same path in reverse, taking equally long to reach the caller. Satellite minutes are also more expensive rather than cell phone minutes.

However, these drawbacks are irrelevant when considering the function that a satellite phone serves. It can create a link to civilization from locations where no other link is available. It also permits loved ones to stay in touch, as in the case of researchers, adventurers and those in the military, and it can provide backup communication in adversities if ever cellular towers or landlines might not be functional.

The three main satellite networks at present are Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya. Iridium uses low orbiting satellites that lessen communications delays, but more importantly, it is the only current satellite network that offers reception over the entire earth, including the oceans. Competitor Globalstar covers about 80% of the earth's landmasses, not including the northern and southern polar earth regions, while Thuraya covers parts of India, Asia, Africa, the entire Middle East and Europe.

For those who only wish to use a satellite phone on atypical occasions, one can rent instead of purchasing. Hiring fees start at about US$40 per week, but this does not include talk time, which can run as high as $1.75 per minute. If purchasing a satellite phone outright, an agreement is necessary with a satellite network, or prepaid cards may be purchased. Minutes are less expensive with a contract than when renting or buying prepaid, yet are still expensive than cellular minutes.

Satellite phones range in price according to network coverage places. Iridium phones are more expensive because they can make calls from anywhere in the world. Another newest entry-level Iridium satellite phone sells for US$1,275, while other network phones start out at about half that price, and can be found for less. Because sat-phones are so expensive, they are often purchased used.

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