Satellite phone performance

[TerryG]

Hi, In preparation of an outback WA trip later this year, I am looking for general comments on the performance of hand held satellite phones - such as Iridium vs Thuraya as service providers, coverage, reliability of connection, dropouts, voice quality, particular features or bugbears etc..

Any comments welcome.

TIA
TerryG
2001 Disco Td5
Ex 1994 Disco Tdi,

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Find out what the cops use in the outback, They would have to be super reliable in an emergency one would think.

[dmdigital]

All I can say is I use Iridium (via Telstra) and have had no problems in 9 years.

I've heard varying reports about the Thuraya provided by Optus but have no experience with it. If money isn't an issue a portable Inmarsat is the way to go.

Also get yourself an EPIRB with GPS.

[streaky]

I have just returned from a two weeks trip in the Northern Territories and used my Thuraya without any problems.
Everyone else used Iridium network and I was told it's more popular for a number of reasons.
I was also told that Thuraya is 'monitored':confused: but don't know what basis they do that.
Someone also told me that Thuraya don't have as many satelites over Oz which also causes problems....not that I had any.
I put a USD$100 credit on my pre-paid account before I left here.

[dmdigital]

Thuraya only have 3 geostationary satellites in high orbit. Iridium have 66 geostationary satellites in low orbit. Iridium covers pole to pole, Thuraya is more limited.