How To Activate a Satellite Phone
What is Satellite Phone?
A satellite telephone, satellite phone or satphone is a type of mobile phone that connects to other phones or the telephone network by radio link through satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites, as cellphones do.
How To Activate a Satellite Phone
Insert your SIM card into the SIM card holder behind the battery in the satellite phone. Extend the antenna into its full position and point it straight up at the sky. Press the power button on the phone. You should see the Iridium splash screen, followed by ‘Searching’ and finally ‘Registered’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use any SIM card in a satellite phone?
“SIM” is an acronym that stands for “Subscriber Identity Module.” While it’s possible to switch network carriers with a standard mobile phone and simply swap out your existing SIM card, a satellite communication device is designed to work with one, specific network only.
Do satellite phones use airtime?
Without airtime, a satellite phone would not be able to connect to the network, and users would not be able to make calls, send messages, or access the internet.
Can I turn my cell phone into a satellite phone?
Simply slip your Apple or Android smartphone into a Thuraya SatSleeve, or sync your device up to an Iridium GO! or Inmarsat IsatHub, and you can use your applications over a satellite network.
Does satellite phone connect to Internet?
Satellite phones provide similar functionality to terrestrial mobile telephones; voice calling, text messaging, and low-bandwidth Internet access are supported through most systems.
Do satellite phones work anywhere?
Satellite phones work everywhere with a clear view of the sky. Because they work through satellites positioned high in Earths orbit they need unobstructed view to function properly. Satellites offer global coverage from pole to pole, in mountainous regions, deserts and anywhere at sea.
What is the code for satellite phone?
A person dialing from the US to the satellite phone should dial 011-8816 (or 8817) and the eight digits of the satellite phone number. To dial from outside the US and Canada, the dialing sequence is normally, 00-8816 (or 8817).
How can I use my Android phone as a satellite phone?
Complete your Android setup
- Insert a SIM card.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Add your Google Account.
- Create a screen lock.
- Set up account recovery.
Do satellite phones have batteries?
Generally speaking, a LEO-powered satellite phone with a high capacity battery can last as much as thirty hours in standby mode. As far as talk time is concerned, however, the same phone with the same specifications and capacity can last as long as 3.2 hours. Location also matters.
Do satellite phone minutes expire?
Iridium 4,000 Minute Global Prepaid Airtime SIM Card. The Iridium 3000 Minute Prepaid Airtime SIM Card is loaded with 3,000 satellite phone minutes that can be used anywhere in the world. Lifetime of minutes is 24 Months, but this validity period can be extended by adding more minutes prior to expiration.
Why don t we use satellite phones?
In truth, more often than not, this is due to lag. Satellite phones are even more prone to lag than standard mobile phones. The geostationary satellites that our devices communicate with are more than 18,000 miles above the Earth’s surface, and even with the latest satellite technology, that trip takes quite a while.