New satellite phone

[bblaze]

Gettin a new sat phone tomorrow, its a INMARSAT. Cost is $599 + gst, call cost are $1 a minute with no plan. Its pre paid and your money last 12 months if you dont use the phone. Will do a mini report when I get it. I will then have in my vehicle UHF radio, HF radio, Sat phone and an Epirb

CHEERS

BLAZE

[Narangga]

Gettin a new sat phone tomorrow, its a INMARSAT. Cost is $599 + gst, call cost are $1 a minute with no plan. Its pre paid and your money last 12 months if you dont use the phone. Will do a mini report when I get it. I will then have in my vehicle UHF radio, HF radio, Sat phone and an Epirb

CHEERS

BLAZE

Gee and I thought you were actually traveling the civilized parts of Australia this year! :wasntme:


Thanks for that blaze. $600 isn't too bad.

[Bundalene]

These are at last becoming somewhat affordable. When you say pre-paid, is there a minimum annual spend?



Erich

[goldey]

Very interested also. Where did you get the phone from? We are travelling for almost 5 mths later this year and the idea of having the sat phone for the remote parts is very nice.

Regards

Goldey

[87County]

Gettin a new sat phone tomorrow, its a INMARSAT. Cost is $599 + gst, call cost are $1 a minute with no plan. Its pre paid and your money last 12 months if you dont use the phone. Will do a mini report when I get it. I will then have in my vehicle UHF radio, HF radio, Sat phone and an Epirb

CHEERS

BLAZE

G'day Blaze - we'll look foward to your report.

Is it on the Iridium system?
ie. does it work anywhere or just in certain satellite footprints ?

[bblaze]

These are at last becoming somewhat affordable. When you say pre-paid, is there a minimum annual spend?



Erich

I think the minimun is $50, still tring to find out info. Got the forms to fill out for the connection. The dealer has only just taken on this dealership. What I gather is you buy your prepaid units in blocks of $50. Will find out more tomorrow I guess.
cheers
blaze

[bblaze]

Very interested also. Where did you get the phone from? We are travelling for almost 5 mths later this year and the idea of having the sat phone for the remote parts is very nice.

Regards

Goldey

Heres a link to the web site, I am getting mine from Mt Barker communication in Albany WA
TC Communications - About Us (http://www.tc.com.au/Isatphonepro.htm)

cheers
blaze

[bblaze]

G'day Blaze - we'll look foward to your report.

Is it on the Iridium system?
ie. does it work anywhere or just in certain satellite footprints ?

Posted a link a couple of post up
cheers
blaze

[bblaze]

Well I have made the first phone call with success, there is a time delay but that was expected. Had good clarity. Now I have the job of putting in the numbers I think we may require into the phonebook. Some of those will be Flying doc base station, remote police stations ect. I dont see the 000 issue as a major drama if I can contact emergency services via a normal number, just need to pay the price of the calls and if needed who cares. So, happy with the purchse and would be happy to recomend the phone, may not be as robust as some but the appeal to me was the prepay with no contract. I have put $100 on it and short of running out of money I dont need to worry for two years.
cheers
blaze

[juddy]

We do a Inmarsat for 640 including GST, call costs are 70cents per min, credit lasts for 2 years.....

We also have the roof mounted small dome receiver, this comes with a full car kit, retails for 1650......

Just doing a field test with this unit too, out in NT..... so far very good system, and at that price cheaper than a iphone ) plus the iphone will not save your life...

PM if you require further information...

[miky]

Costs and what you get seems to depend on the dealer.
For example the IsatPhone Pro ( IsatPhone Pro (http://www.isatphonestore.com/isatphone.htm) ) has a built in gps and it will send your position as a text or email message.
And it can receive text messages.

See the website above for details of what this phone can do.
The site says that it will do data early 2011. Slow data to be sure but it depends on what you want to do with the data.

But... will your dealer provide you with a plan that does more than just phone calls?

So, can you guys tell us something about using the gps and text messaging?

[juddy]

Costs and what you get seems to depend on the dealer.
For example the IsatPhone Pro ( IsatPhone Pro (http://www.isatphonestore.com/isatphone.htm) ) has a built in gps and it will send your position as a text or email message.
And it can receive text messages.

See the website above for details of what this phone can do.
The site says that it will do data early 2011. Slow data to be sure but it depends on what you want to do with the data.

But... will your dealer provide you with a plan that does more than just phone calls?

So, can you guys tell us something about using the gps and text messaging?

The system we sell, enables you to send a text to a computer or mobile, giving your GMS co-ordinates, enter into GPS/Google and they then have your location...

[bblaze]

I do have a problem ringing pre paid telstra phones ATM, must ring and report that fault, other than that it rings all the numbers I have tried (beware jc your numbers nearly at the top of the list). It will have its limitations I know but for the cost and being prepaid, along with HF radio, UHF radio and an EPIRB I feel faily well covered for any remote emergeny, just gotta hope it is now never needed.
cheers
blaze

[justinc]

I do have a problem ringing pre paid telstra phones ATM, must ring and report that fault, other than that it rings all the numbers I have tried (beware jc your numbers nearly at the top of the list). It will have its limitations I know but for the cost and being prepaid, along with HF radio, UHF radio and an EPIRB I feel faily well covered for any remote emergeny, just gotta hope it is now never needed.
cheers
blaze

Much as I like talking to you Rob, I hope it doesn't mean the Disco is playing up!:o

Enjoying the great south west still I hope! Have you been into the 12Volt shop yet? They make some great gear in there.

JC

[TerryO]

I was told several months ago that if you live in the country it is not that hard to get the federal government rebate on Sat phones which is quite sizeable (from memory 80%).
I was also told it is a case of going into a Telstra office asking about the rebate and then applying for it and several weeks later they come back with authorisation and then you buy the phone at the discounted rate.

Can anyone confirm this as correct?

cheers,
Terry

[87County]

I was told several months ago that if you live in the country it is not that hard to get the federal government rebate on Sat phones which is quite sizeable (from memory 80%).
I was also told it is a case of going into a Telstra office asking about the rebate and then applying for it and several weeks later they come back with authorisation and then you buy the phone at the discounted rate.

Can anyone confirm this as correct?

cheers,
Terry

not meant for tourist 4WDers or grey nomads (although a lot have probably got it) :o

fair dinkum applicants would have a requirement for work or living in a remote place (ie. without 3G)

The Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme | Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (http://www.dbcde.gov.au/mobile_services/the_satellite_phone_subsidy_scheme)

[RangieBit]

not meant for tourist 4WDers or grey nomads (although a lot have probably got it) :o
<snipped>

It is perfectly valid for grey nomads to qualify who, by definition, have no fixed address, and may for a significant majority of their travels be away from "regular" phone services like 3G, or even a landline.

Tourist 4WD'ers don't qualify since they are only away from their regular premises for brief periods.

If you live and work somewhere on our vast continent that isn't served by regular phone services you qualify for the subsidy too.

Cheers,
Iain

[lewy]

so would the INMARSAT phone come under the subsidy $600-85%=:eek:.i will fill out the form tomorrow

[RangieBit]

The inmarsat phone should qualify since the distinction does not appear to be on handset just on location and usage.

You need to obtain the phone from one of the dealers on the Dept list. You also need to have received approval from the Dept before you purchase the phone.

If you live and work outside of the mobile coverage area (you'll need to prove that) then you qualify for the full 85% rebate.

If you live in a mobile coverage area but are out of mobile coverage for more than six months in a two year period then you qualify for a 50% rebate on the phone purchase cost. That is out of coverage for six months not simply traveling about for six months. Of course that shouldn't be too hard to achieve an itinerary of travel involving that level of remoteness ;)

Both of these rebates apply up to a maximum handset purchase price of $1000.

Of course, the Dept is the final decision maker on approving you.

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,
Iain

[pohm66]

Shopped around for a Sat Phone and bang for buck ended up ordering via "juddy"... About to spend 5 months on the road and even if we wish to sell to recoup some costs well worth to have.

What I liked also is their pre-paid option has a 2 year expiry. In some areas of the world cheaper to call via sat phone then mobile phone with global roaming 8-)

Waaayyyy cheaper than the hire option...

[pohm66]

As many of us look at getting a SAT phone partly for emergency purposes after get an Inmarsat Sat phone discovered that they aren't registered with the local emergency services number of 000.

Here is an update from Darren a Manager at mgltelecoms.com

I have been passed your comments to discuss further and give you a status update and overview. Inmarsat are exempt under the communications act from providing emergency numbers to the Australian Public as the 000 is strictly an Australian service and Inmarsat's Isatphone Pro is a global phone not simply an Australian one. That said and as a former Victoria Police Officer I believe that everyone should be provided the ability to communicate with an emergency service system such as the 000, so we at MGL Telecoms have approached ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority), Telstra and Inmarsat with the intention of forcing their hands to create an Inmarsat handset emergency system for Australia. We chose the option 707 (SOS) as the Inmarsat equivalent of the Australian landline 000 number. 112 is only a provision of mobile phones and doesn’t work on sat phones other than in overseas markets. Effectively its Telstra and ACMA controlling this system.

There are some small hurdles to still get over but we are working well with all parties and they are all very positive in assisting us to create this emergency system. We will keep you posted.

In the meantime I suggest listing in your contacts/address book on the sat phone a number of important numbers like the Royal Flying Doctors Service for each State and Police & Ambulance landline numbers in each state for emergencies.

Kind regards,
Darren MAGGS

I am generating a list of contact numbers at the moment that I'll look at publishing them...

[pohm66]

The guys at Inmarsat are working through, with the Telcos etc etc, to have an emergency number set up.

In the interim will be setting up the following:-

0730556200 (this is the land line equivalent to 134444 which is the manned 7x24 for non-emergencies and they will transfer to 000) The 134444 is a national number.

Royal Flying Doctors Services
RFDS WA 089417 6389
RFDS Mt Isa 074743 2802
RFDS South 088088 1188
RFDS Central 088648 9555

And
RACQ Assist 0733612444 (Switch number so business hrs only)

[bblaze]

The guys at Inmarsat are working through, with the Telcos etc etc, to have an emergency number set up.

In the interim will be setting up the following:-

0730556200 (this is the land line equivalent to 134444 which is the manned 7x24 for non-emergencies and they will transfer to 000) The 134444 is a national number.

Royal Flying Doctors Services
RFDS WA 089417 6389
RFDS Mt Isa 074743 2802
RFDS South 088088 1188
RFDS Central 088648 9555

And
RACQ Assist 0733612444 (Switch number so business hrs only)

I have quite a comprehensive list if you would like me to pm to you, not prepared to put on the public forum but quite happy to pm
cheers
blaze

[markandsandy]

We bought an IsatPhone Pro (Inmarsat) for our trip and, as suggested by previous posters, have simply programmed in RFDS numbers for emergencies. What I love about the Inmarsat pre-paid option is it's cheap enough to use the sat phone for regular calls. We've used it to book ahead into van parks from remote places; call mechanics back home for assistance with car troubles; keep in contract with friends and family.

I think it's better being able to use the phone, rather than it sitting in the car waiting for an emergency. Only think to remember is to ensure you have enough credits in your phone to be able to make the emergency call when you need to. Once the credits run out, you can't call, even in an emergency.

Using the phone regularly also ensures you know that the battery is charged!

I bought ours through AST Australia.

[markandsandy]

Very interested also. Where did you get the phone from? We are travelling for almost 5 mths later this year and the idea of having the sat phone for the remote parts is very nice.

Regards

Goldey
I picked one up from AST Australia (based in Perth, with offices in eastern states also). Great service, and pre-paid is definitely the cheaper option, but you need to make sure you have sufficient credit on your phone to be able to make emergency calls (where as plans will let you make the call regardless).

[markandsandy]

Costs and what you get seems to depend on the dealer.
For example the IsatPhone Pro ( IsatPhone Pro (http://www.isatphonestore.com/isatphone.htm) ) has a built in gps and it will send your position as a text or email message.
And it can receive text messages.

See the website above for details of what this phone can do.
The site says that it will do data early 2011. Slow data to be sure but it depends on what you want to do with the data.

But... will your dealer provide you with a plan that does more than just phone calls?

So, can you guys tell us something about using the gps and text messaging?
I've used text message a lot and it's very convenient. It's also possible for people to send me a text for free from the Inmarsat website, so it's a great way to keep in contact. You can also send emails from the IsatPhone Pro - which is very handy. I was able to contact my parents this way to make sure they were OK during the recent hurricane in the Bahamas.

We've tested our IsatPhone Pro in many remote locations and it's worked every time. The only time it didn't work was in the bottom of a deep gorge, which was to be expected. As soon as I was out of the gorge I had reception.

As I said in an earlier post, the call rates are cheap enough so that I feel happy to use the phone for general communications, not just emergencies. When you've spent the money, you might as well enjoy getting use out of it!

[markandsandy]

G'day Blaze - we'll look foward to your report.

Is it on the Iridium system?
ie. does it work anywhere or just in certain satellite footprints ?
G'day 87Country. It runs off geostationary satellites from Inmarsat. My understanding is that geostational sats had a bad rep, because there were generally fairly low in the sky (2-300km) - meaning that in Australia you had to have a view of the sky 20-30 degrees above the horizon. Inmarsat sats are apparently 700km up, and so it's much easier to get a clear line of site, overcoming the limitations of other geostationary sats (e.g. Globalstar).

As I said in a previous post, we've had reception pretty much every where we've tried (Limmen Nat Park in NT; Elsey Nat Park nr Mataranka; El Questro Station; Lawn Hill Nat Park in QLD; along the Gibb River Road; at Kind Edward River up toward Kalumburu; Bungle Bungle Nat Park (except in the gorge itself). I've been very happy with the coverage.

[miky]

I bought one of these phones just before going "bush" and can also confirm it works very well.
For $1 per minute to any phone in the world and 50 cents to send a text to any mobile in the world, and of course you can send emails = good value IMO

People can send you a message for free and you receive it for free.
But for $100 that lasts for two years, just use it.

[harro959]

Bought one of these at the melbourne 4x4 show the other week and i am currently trying to create a little databse type thingy of useful desert contacts that I will then try to sinc via microsoft outlook.

When i am have made it all work and have enbough numbers to make it worthwhile i will try to post it for everyone.

What numbers does everyone think are important to have..

atm i have:
all the rfds numbers, plus things like mt dare hotel and birdsville police, simpson desert ranger....