Thread: thuraya/sat phone laptop setup

No, but I did make enquiries about a year ago while I was exploring some communication options. I think the Data rate was cheaper than the Voice rate and I was considering using VoIP or an online messenger for comms.

In the end we hired a sat phone that was able to recieve free SMS/email.

VOIP over sat you would have delays I believe !

Originally Posted by matbor

VOIP over sat you would have delays I believe !

VoIP have big latency problems over GSM & 3G too...

I thought about using sat comms for the laptop but decided that the data rates were very slow. Instead I decided to just use a GSM mobile to sync data once within range. Mind you, you'd be surprised where you can find unprotected WiFi points... and cyber cafes are in some very unlikely places too!!!

If you want greater coverage than GSM, maybe check out CDMA networks.

M

main reason for going down the thuraya route here is you get dead spots all over the place and it is always handy to have an emergency backup. the data link is good enough for emailing which is primarily what i will use the laptop for. just got to rig up a mount in as neat a setup as poss. had a look at the ram system but not overly keen

Hi,

I use a Motorola CDMA 1X phone with a 7.5 DB high gain areal mounted on my buillbar. 1X has high speed data capabilities.

It works fantastic.

I get 238.8 kbps data speed in very isolated places.

If you have enough signal to send a text message I can get on the net.

I would check with Telstra though as CDMA is due to be phased out when CDMA's replacement 3G system is phased in. It will be different to the GSM 3G which is in use now.

cheers
Piddler

Originally Posted by C2518

main reason for going down the thuraya route here is you get dead spots all over the place and it is always handy to have an emergency backup. the data link is good enough for emailing which is primarily what i will use the laptop for. just got to rig up a mount in as neat a setup as poss. had a look at the ram system but not overly keen

Yeah... Agreed. The dead spots is why I carry a sat phone. However, in an emergency, I don't use e-mail... e-mail can wait until I get GSM/CDMA signal again.

M