Satellite Telephone for RTW-Trip? Experiences? Tipps? Offers?

[Christian Vogel]

Hello everybody!

at frist: I am 33 years old and live in Diemelstadt, which is a little city in the North of Hessen.

My trip on two wheels will start on May 19, 2015 in Orlando (USA) and should then goes as follows: Canada – Alaska – USA – Russia – Mongolia – Russia - Kazakhstan – Tadzhikistan – Kyrgystan – China - Pakistan – Bangladesh - Buthan - India – Iran – Turkey – Bulgaria – Slovenia – Czech Republic and then back to Germany.

So, now I search for an Satellite Telephone for my RTW-Trip. My questions are: Which one/which types are good? Ist there someone with experiences? Or: Is there mybe someone who can offer me one?

May private E-Mail-Adress is: info@vogelsperspektive.de

Best Greetings from Germany.

P.S. Sorry about my English, it isn´t that perfect!

[Hemuli]

Question: Do you really need one?

It is amazing how good mobile coverage is everywhere. Actually it is easier to find free wifi outside of western countries than in "home country".

I have Australian "travel Sim", so I have always one number where my friends and relatives can reach me.
When you get to a new country, just buy a local sim-card.

If you want your family to know where you are, just buy Spot or similar (with these devices you can send sms to your family).

[Warin]

Who are you going to call?
They have to be local in order to reach you reasonably quickly.
They have to be equipped.

With a sat phone ... you need someone to call.

With a cell phone you can call 112 and that should get you the local police/ambulance/fire people. Call 112 with the sat phone you could end up whit the police/ambulance/fire people in your home country .. not so usefull.

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Before sat phones, cell phones etc .. the locals were the best source of help. They still are the best source of quick help.

[takeonafrica]

Unless you are going really remote, and might be considering International Search and Rescue etc as well, then I agree with the above posts in questioning whether you really need one.

As a midway between cellphone only and sat phone, there is the SPOT messenger, which is much smaller, compact and cheaper, but good for emergency use if needed and for keeping people up to date on your whereabouts, when there is no cell coverage.

However, if you decide you do want a satellite phone, I have an Iridium for sale - here. open to offers.