Satellite Phones For Military

During military operations, communication between comrades is a dire necessity. The quick and clear back-and-forth between military personnel can significantly determine a mission’s success. For this reason, relying on cell phones for communication can be problematic, because they do not offer excellent communication. Cell phones will sometimes provide spotty coverage in rural areas and less-populated locations. For this reason, military personnel use satellite phones to overcome coverage and signal issues, especially during operations.

Why Satellite Phones?

As you can see, satellite phones are highly important for the military simply because they allow them to conduct vital communication even in remote areas where network coverage is scarce. Good instructions and communications can either make or break a mission. Not only do satellite phones pave the way for conversations in almost any location, but they are also more resilient to damage.

Emergency Communications

For a military person, venturing towards unchartered territories and far-off lands is part of the job. These distant locations often do not have good cell phone coverage or none at all. They are also obligated to soldier across rough terrains and dangerous landscapes where the occurrence of injury is always looming. Having no cell phone service while stranded due to an injury can lead to drastic situations and outcomes for the trooper.

Even something as simple as informing your superiors that you are held back due to an unexpected halt can be critical during a military operation. On the flip side, a satellite phone also allows the combatant in charge to instruct the comrades about necessary information during an operation.

As you can see, satellite phones are highly important for the military simply because they allow them to conduct vital communication even in remote areas where network coverage is scarce. Good instructions and communications can either make or break a mission. Not only do satellite phones pave the way for conversations in almost any location, but they are also more resilient to damage.

Secure Connection

Satellite radio is much more secure from enemy ears than mobile phone networks and other communication channels. Reliable, secure, and untraceable communication has been essential to the military. Having the enemy hack into your secret conversations will give them the upper hand during war and conflict.

A satellite phone allows a commander to instantly and through a secure channel convey important messages to their troops, not allowing the enemy to anticipate their plans. The military also operates communication satellite networks to ensure the sanctity and security of their conversations.

Different Kinds of Satellite Phones

There are several different services, all having different satellites, and they are not interchangeable. The three major satellites are Iridium, Inmarsat, and Globalstar. All of these networks come with satellite constellations orbiting above the earth. Iridium is the only satellite network that offers 100% global coverage, even at the North Pole. Their satellite constellation consists of 66 satellites that orbit in a pattern that covers the entire planet.

Since Iridium’s satellites are constantly moving around the sky at 17,000 miles per hour, even if you cannot get a signal at one zone, it will only be a matter of time until a satellite moves in a better position to offer you a connection. With Iridium satellite phones, you will always have a connection at any location on the earth.

Globalstar has a similar network as Iridium, except it offers 24 satellites and does not offer coverage near the poles. However, it works the same way and offers you a signal within a particular space, even if you must wait. Inmarsat service, however, works very differently between the two. They own 13 satellites, each serving different purposes. However, only three of the satellites account for standard communication.

Despite having only three satellites to aid communication, their satellites are much further away from the earth. This means that each satellite provides a larger bandwidth of coverage. These satellites are also in geosynchronous orbit, which means they are in perfect sync with the earth’s orbit. Due to their geosynchronous capabilities, you do not have to worry about losing the signal. However, since the satellites are stationary, you may have to move until you find a signal using an Inmarsat satellite phone.

Data and Texting

Satellite phones also allow individuals to text and use data, which can be very advantageous for the military. 

Some phone models also have the feature to automatically send GPS coordinates which can be lifesaving for a trooper that needs recruits and backup as soon as possible.

 

How to Use a Satellite Phone? 

Once you have got a satellite phone, purchased the service, and have it ready to go, how do you use it? Remember that the satellite phone will not work indoors unless you are near a window. Unlike mobile network signals, you need unobstructed signals to use a satellite network phone. A military troop finds signals for this phone easily when using it outdoors.

Not to mention, you will likely receive a signal within seconds when using satellite phones. If you cannot find a visible satellite in your area, you will only have to wait a few minutes or so to achieve a signal. Sometimes, the military also gets a short signal window depending on the area they are located in.

Calls from and to a satellite phone include different steps. When calling from a satellite phone, you must dial the international prefix, “00”. Following this, you must dial the country code and the phone number. On the other hand, if you are calling a satellite phone, you must first dial the outgoing dialing code for your country. Following that, you must dial the prefix for the particular satellite network and then dial the satellite phone number.

See our complete offering of satellite internet options here, or give us a call to help you find exactly what you need to get the job done.

Final Thoughts

The features and in-built qualities of satellite phones make them an important tool for the military. It can offer quick and safe communication in the most remote areas, whether you are on land, water, or air. For military personnel, not having a satellite phone in remote parts of the world is a recipe for disaster. 

Airtime

Not only will you have every device you require for satellite communication, but the GSA contract has pre-set prices for airtime so you can get the prepaid minutes for voice and data you require.

Questions? Please reach out to our experts so we can get you outfitted with the satcom resources your government entity needs to keep operations running smoothly. 

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