Satellite Communication Blog: Guides, Reviews and Field Notes
The Satmodo Blog
Plain answers about satellite phones, Starlink, portable satellite internet and off-grid power, written by the Satmodo team in San Diego. We sell, rent and activate this equipment every day, so the advice here comes from setting it up for customers, not from a spec sheet.
Start here
Six guides that answer the questions we get asked most. Each one tells you who it is for in the first paragraph, so you can skip what does not apply to you.
Satellite phonesBest Iridium Satellite Phones: 2025 Buyers GuideRead this if you are choosing your first handset and want the 9555, Extreme 9575 and PTT explained side by side.
NetworksIridium vs Inmarsat: Which Network Is Right for You?Read this if you know you need a satellite phone but cannot decide between the two big networks.
StarlinkWhat Is Starlink? A Beginner's GuideRead this if you have heard the name and want to know what it actually does for a business site or a vehicle.
Satellite internetBest Mobile Satellite Internet for 2025Read this if you need data somewhere Starlink cannot go, or need a terminal that fits in a backpack.
Emergency preparednessHow to Prepare for the Hurricane SeasonRead this if you live where the grid goes down and want communications that do not depend on a cell tower.
Off-grid powerSolar Gear for Satellite Phone UsersRead this if you are heading out for more than a weekend and need to keep a phone, a Starlink Mini or both charged.
Browse by topic
The same categories as the sidebar, grouped the way people actually look for things.
Satellite phonesIridium, Inmarsat and Thuraya handsets, compared and explained.
StarlinkCoverage, business plans, the Mini, and what to power it with.
Satellite internet terminalsBGAN, Certus and portable hotspots for data beyond the cell network.
Devices and gearTrackers, beacons, radios, Faraday bags and the accessories that go with them.
MaritimeOffshore communications, GMDSS, sailing and fishing beyond VHF range.
News and preparednessHurricanes, wildfires, outages and what the industry is doing about them.
Camping and hikingChecklists, trail guides and the communicator to carry with you.
Off-road and racingBaja, NORRA and the desert races where a phone with no signal is dead weight.
OutdoorsWeather basics, backcountry safety and trips where help is a long way off.
Also: Products · Camping · Hiking · Hunting · Fishing · Sailing · Skiing · Brands · Viasat · Kymeta · Bivy
Read enough? The gear is one click away.
Everything covered on this blog is in stock to buy or rent, with activation handled by the same team. Call (800) 279-2366 if you would rather talk it through.
Questions this blog answers
The short version of each, with a link to the article that goes deeper.
Do satellite phones work anywhere in the world?
Iridium does, including both poles, because its satellites orbit the whole planet. Inmarsat covers everything except the far polar regions. Thuraya is regional, covering Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and has not covered Australia since April 2024. Any of them needs a clear view of the sky. Compare the networks
Is Starlink a replacement for a satellite phone?
No. Starlink gives you fast internet at a site or on a vehicle, but it needs power, a mount and a sky view, and it is not a handset you can pick up when everything else fails. Most of our business customers run both: Starlink for the crew's data, a satellite phone for voice and emergencies. What Starlink actually does
Should I rent or buy a satellite phone?
Rent for a single trip or a season. Buy if you will carry it more than a few weeks a year, keep it in a go-bag, or need your own number that never changes. Rentals ship with a charged battery and airtime already active, so there is nothing to set up. See what we rent
Will a satellite phone work during a hurricane?
Yes, as long as you can get outside or to a window with open sky. Satellite phones do not use cell towers, so they keep working when the local network is down or overloaded. Heavy cloud and rain can slow a call connecting but do not stop it. Keep the battery charged before the storm arrives. Hurricane season checklist
Which satellite network is best on a boat?
For a handset, Iridium or Inmarsat, both of which cover open ocean. For data on board, a Certus or Fleet One terminal, or Starlink with a maritime plan where the route allows it. The answer depends on how far offshore you go and whether you need GMDSS distress alerting. Maritime articles
How do I pick a satellite phone service plan?
Start with how many minutes you will really use and how often. Occasional users are usually better on prepaid airtime that does not renew monthly; regular users save with a monthly plan. The network is decided by where you go, not by price. Choosing a service plan
Every article, by topic
All 102 guides in one place, so nothing is buried on page eight. Open a topic to see its articles.
Satellite phones, networks and gear21 articles
2025 Best Satellite Phones Buyers Guide
ASE Docking Station for the Iridium Extreme Push-to-Talk 9575
Best Satellite Phone
Connect Globally with Iridium
Exploring Satellite Technology: From TV Entertainment to Seamless Connectivity
How to Choose a Satellite Phone Service: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Never Lose Connectivity with Iridium Satellite
How to Turn Your Smartphone into a Satellite Phone with the Thuraya SatSleeve+
Icom IC-SAT100: The Only Worldwide Satellite Radio With Iridium
Iridium vs. Inmarsat: A Comprehensive Comparison
Iridium vs. Thuraya: Comprehensive Comparison for Satellite Communication
Satellite Communication Devices: All You Need To Know
Satellite Phone Rentals in Alaska
Satellite Phones for Travelers
Things To Know About Inmarsat Isatphone 2
Top Satellite Phones for 2023: Latest Updates & Reviews
Travel Far and Wide with the Best Satellite Phones
Two-Way Radio Guide for 2021
Unlocking the Future: Exploring the Marvels of the IsatPhone 2
What is a Satellite Navigation Device
When Your Comms Fail, Everything Fails: Why We Trust the Inmarsat IsatPhone 2
Starlink and satellite internet13 articles
Best Mobile Satellite Internet for 2025
BGAN Terminal Options
High-speed Home Satellite Internet from HughesNet
How to Stay Connected and Safe During California Wildfire Seasons
Inmarsat
Iridium Certus: A Reliable Worldwide Network
Ku Band and its Use in Satellite Communications
Mobile Satellite Internet Options Through Certus
Starlink Coverage Map: Where Is Starlink Available in the U.S. and Beyond?
Starlink Internet in Texas: High-Speed Satellite Connectivity Across the Lone Star State
Starlink vs Fiber Internet: Which is Right for You?
The Ultimate Companion for Your Starlink Mini: A Deep Dive into the PeakDo LinkPower
What is Starlink? A Beginner's Guide to Satellite Internet
Emergency preparedness and news25 articles
2023 Hurricane Season: When and Where
California Wildfires 2024: An Escalating Crisis and the Role of Satellite Phones in Emergency Preparedness
Cell Provider Outage Stresses Satellite Phones Crucial Role in Emergencies
Communication Devices for a Post-Apocalyptic World
Doomsday Preppers
Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
Emergency Satellite Communicator: The Ultimate Lifesaving Device
Enhancing Security: Satellite Phones and Other Measures
Faraday Bag: Unveiling the Key Reasons Why You Must Have One
Hawaii Hurricane Season: What You Need to Know
How Satellite Phones Serve as a Lifeline in Disaster Zones to Save Lives
How to Prepare for the Hurricane Season?
Hurricane Helene Reveals Major Devastation in North Carolina
Hurricane Milton 2024: The Essential Role of Satellite Phones in Disaster Preparedness
Hurricane Season 2024: Preparing with Satellite Phones
NOAA Forecasts Above-Normal 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Protect Your Data and Privacy with Faraday Bags: Your Ultimate Cybersecurity Solution
Satellite Phone For Public Safety First Responders
Stay Connected Via Satellite Communication as Tropical Storm Barry Makes Landfall
Stay Secure and Protected with EscapeZone Faraday Bags
Staying Connected in the Face of Disaster: How Satellite Phones Can Be Lifesaving During Hurricane Milton 2024
The Effects Of Covid-19 On Traveling: Past, Present And Future
Typhoon Mawar: Understanding the Power of Nature and Staying Safe with Satellite Phones
Understanding Hurricane Categories: What You Need to Know
Western North Carolina in Shambles After Helene's Destruction
Camping, hiking and the outdoors26 articles
10 Best Hiking Trails Around Niagara Falls
10 Camping Resolutions for an Adventurous 2023
16 Best Hikes in Sedona, Arizona
22 Camping Destinations for 2022
8 Beautiful Winter Hikes To Explore In Alabama
8 Great US Campsites for Solo Travelers
Best Places for Off Grid Camping
Camping in California: Best California Campgrounds 2024
Choosing Camping for Your Summer Vacation in 2021
Do I Need a Satellite Communication Device for Hiking?
Experience Hiking with Your Dog
Heli Skiing
How to Prepare for a Hot Weather Hike
How to Stay Warm When Camping in Winter
Most Dangerous Hikes In The U.S.
Portable Satellite Internet Options Through Inmarsat
Solar Eclipse 2024: Prepare for an Unforgettable Camping Experience
Solar Gear for Satellite Phone Users: How to Power Your Off-Grid Adventures
Spring Camping in Northern California: The best time to do it!
Tent Camping For Beginners
The Ultimate Camping Checklist: Essential Must-Haves for a Comfortable and Safe Tent Camping Experience
Weather Basics for Backpackers
What You Need And Don't Need For A Great Camping Trip 2023
Why You Need a Satellite Phone for Your Music Festival
Winter Whitetail Hunting Tips
Your Camping Checklist: Must Have and Nice to Have
Maritime, fishing and off-road17 articles
8 Best San Diego Fishing Charters For Next Fishing Trip
Bonneville Offroad Racing: A High-Speed Thrill on the Salt Flats
Conquering the 2023 BAJA 500: A Thrilling Race
Exploring the Deep Blue: A Guide to Deep Sea Fishing in Panama City Beach, Florida
Flat Track Racing
How to Maintain Offshore Satellite Communications
Iridium Certus Strengthens Maritime Connectivity
New Era for Safety at Sea as First-ever Iridium GMDSS terminal is unveiled
Newport Landing Sportfishing
Racing the NORRA Mexican 1000: Where Fun Comes First
Red Bull Rampage Returns with its Special Brand of Craziness
San Felipe Desert Mayhem El Jefe 300: The Toughest Off-Road Race in Baja California
Small Sailboat Sailing Basics
The Baja 1000 and How to Communicate During the Race
The San Diego Bluefin Tuna Makes a Comeback
Top Off-Road Desert Races from the U.S. to Central America
Vessel Fire Protection with the SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter
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