Welcome to Telephone

Communication

We use the Iridium Satellite Phone and SPOT for mainly emergency purposes.

Current Satellite Phone:

Bought December 2005 from Iridium. Cost $1999.00US (Air Time Extra)
Model: Iridium
Weight: approx. 375g

The Cell Phone or Satellite Phone question comes up all the time. In a perfect world, we would like to carry just one phone that is small, light, easy on battery power and works everywhere in the world. At this point in time this does not exist. The cell phone is great for most of the world. Cell phones are small and light. Cell phones are very efficient and allows many minutes of talk and stand-by time. The GSM network covers large areas and even remote areas quite well. So why not just carry a cell phone?

When you travel like we do, and enter new countries every few weeks, it makes it difficult to keep your cell phone connected. Not all countries will allow your phone to roam unless you change the SIM card and activate it with the local provider. Some countries also do not have a very stable network for cell phone coverage. We carry a phone for emergency purposes only, and we need the phone to work 100% of the time when we use it.

We carry an Iridium 9505A Satellite phone. This phone has coverage for 100% of the world including the oceans. As long as you have an unobstructed view of the sky you can send or receive a call from anywhere in the world. The phone number remains the same no matter where you are. You can receive text messages for free sent from any computer on the internet directly to the phone.

The satellite phone is bigger then a cell phone and does not have the talk and stand-by time of a cell phone. Calls on the Satellite phone are expensive compared to a cell phone. Compared to a cell phone the satellite phone is not very convenient to use, but it does work everywhere in the world all the time, and that is the little piece of security that we like.

In addition we purchase pre-paid calling card from Iridium Plan Global 500, which is a 12 months term, 500 minutes for $795US.

For more information visit the Iridium website at www.Iridium.com.

SPOT - Satelllite GPS Messenger

Bought July 2009 from SPOT on-line. Cost $336.00CDN
Model: SPOT
Weight: approx. 209g

The SPOT Satelllite GPS Messenger is a handheld satellite communication and safety device that transmits your GPS location to friends, family, coworkers or emergency responders and works beyond cellular coverage. SPOT offers several add on options to the basic service plan. We opted to sign up for the GEOS member rescue plan, which provides up to $50,000 USD per occurrence in reimbursement for any SAR expenses for which you are held responsible up to two (2) events per year. The GEOS Member benefit also provide additional SAR coordination– including arranging private aircraft/helicopter charter, private search teams—if required to get you to safety. See website for more information: www.findmespot.com

Spot Personal Tracker

Height:		11.1 cm;
Width:		6.9 cm;
Thickness:		4.4 cm
Weight:		209g
Operating Temp:		-45C to 85C (-40F to 185F)
Operating Altitude:		-91m to +6,492m (-300ft to +21,300ft)
Humidity Rated:		MIL-STD-810, Method 507.3, 95% to 100% cond.
Vibration Rated:		Per SAE J1455

Battery Type:		AA Lithium
Power ON, unused:		Approx. I year*
Tracking mode:		Approx. 14 days*
S.O.S./911 mode:		up to 7 consecutive days
Check / OK:		1900 messages*
*Under normal usage a full battery charge should meet or exceed these amounts