The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro was primary unveiled by SingTel back in May possibly. We lastly got a possibility to attempt it out at CommunicAsia 2010. That is a satellite cellular phone that lets you make calls in locations out of regular cellular (just like GSM or CDMA) coverage.

Typically, this kind of satellite phone and providers are very expensive as they're targeted at businesses and personnel who function in intense problems and remote locations. The IsatPhone Pro bucks the trend by getting fairly affordable.

It carries a retail selling price of US$699, but according to Inmarsat, discounts by distributors could bring it down to as minimal as US$500. In reality, SingTel was promoting it for US$549 in the Singapore-based tradeshow wherever Inmarsat made the official announcement of this unit. This makes it potentially attractive not just to organizations but in addition to adventurous travelers who want to ensure they remain contactable when beyond cellular array.

Like other satellite mobile phone , this 1 is developed to withstand extreme problems including rain and cold climate. From a consumer viewpoint, we discovered it pretty simple to use with an interface that resembles a standard GSM cell phone. It has a different function special to this class of products--Bluetooth connectivity. This is helpful when it's freezing cold or blazing hot outside as you can leave the phone from the open (it demands line of sight to communicate using the satellite phone) and take the call under shelter close by.

We made a cellular phone call utilizing the satellite mobile phone assistance and was in a position to listen to the other party clearly. Regrettably, the person we called couldn't hear us as there was another particular person nearby yammering away loudly on an IsatPhone Pro proper beside us. The loudmouth was calling his friend from the UK, so at least we know it worked nicely for him.

According towards the SingTel representative we spoke to, satellite phone service provider Thuraya features a product that's smaller and just as affordable. But SingTel does not employ Thuraya's services simply because the UAE-based company's satellite cellular phone coverage isn't global, whilst Inmarsat's is.

SingTel didn't go into specifics regarding the exact price of generating these satellite cell phone calls but gave an estimate of about US$1 per minute when we 1st reported about this mobile phone in May well. Service ideas might be prepaid, pay per use or postpaid, comparable to cell plans we're utilized to.

Aside from SingTel in Singapore, Inmarsat distributes the IsatPhone Pro through other partners for instance China Telecom and Korea Telecom. Get in touch with the distributor that operates inside your nation for availability particulars as you most likely can't just walk into a mobile cellular phone shop and buy a single off the shelf. Check out the Inmarsat website for far more particulars about this product--especially if you are thinking of conquering Mount Everest or trekking within the Sahara desert.