Is a satellite phone essential-how many have carried one?

[Hindu1936]

although our trip departure has been postponed, we look at that as a blessing in disguise-more time to earn, learn, and select. in reading the many blogs offered here, we find very few mentions of people using the iridium phones.

kwang hee and i will only leave pavement when forced to, so we will rarely be out of reach of help. i know we need to be able to yell for help, talk to grandchildren, etc., but will a standard cellphone with global capability be good enough, or should we spend the cash and buy the iridium? btw, the surgery on kwang hee went quite well and the new hip works well enough that we went for a few short rides last week.