A satellite phone is a telephone that transmits and receives messages from orbiting satellites that provide coverage to the entire world or only specific regions.
The phones used for satellite communication are often larger in size than the ones that are used for terrestrial applications. These phones can be comparable to the cell phones that were used during the late 1980s and 1990s. These phones also have a large retractable antenna.
Satellite phones use Low Earth Orbit satellites for communication. These satellites orbit the earth at high speeds at low altitude. These satellites fly complete orbits and guarantee complete coverage over every area by at least one satellite at all times.
When a call is made with the satellite phone, the call signal goes up from the satellite phone hand set up to a satellite hundreds of miles in orbit. The signal then goes to one of the many satellites in the low earth orbit. The signal then goes down to one of the ground stations, from where the signal is finally delivered to the destination hand set.
To receive a good service the hand set will need at least 80% view of the sky. Obstructions such as buildings and trees can block the satellite signal from reaching your device. The strength of your calls depends on the user’s view of the sky and the current position of the satellite.
The satellite phones use only orbiting satellites and not any cell towers for communication. Another interesting feature of satellite phones is that they work even during power outages. The only prerequisite is that the phone must have a charged battery for usage. Since these phones can work even during power outages, you can have uninterrupted communication even in the event of a total devastation. These phones can be used for voice and data communication even when all other forms of communication would be disrupted for weeks. In the event of an emergency, a satellite phone is a valuable asset and could mean the difference between life and death where communication is critical.
Although satellite phones are very huge nowadays, they will continue to grow smaller as technology advances. These phones fulfill many specialized roles and provide essential communications in several applications.
Robert Scheer is a freelance writer and consultant for Best Satellite Phones at http://www.best-satellite-phones.com
Source: www.articlesbase.com
