Satellite phone maybe considered as out of date type of phone today because of the rapid emerging of cellular phones that use cell sites to acquire the signal they need. If we compare all the satellite phones being sold in the world market, they are obviously outnumbered by the other one.

Also known as the satphone, this type of wireless handy phone are connected directly to the orbiting satellite in space, unlike those phones that rely on the signal coming from the cell sites around the area. Satphones can be used anywhere in the world, but some depends on the structure of the system which coverage are in limited areas only.

Just like any other things being created in this world, these phones also had evolved throughout the years since it was invented. The first of its kind had big sizes and heavy to hold, compare with the ones created during the late 80's and 90's which sizes are reduced to fit the hands of the users and much lighter. If there is only one thing that remained unchanged, it was the large antenna.

This type of phone is usually used in remote areas especially during calamities and emergencies other mobile phones are useless because of the unavailability of cell site services. However, satphones have poor receptions when used indoors, so the user must go outside and find some clearings to acquire good signal, or at least use it near the window or houses that have thin roofing. This amazing gadget had been very useful during September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the collapsed Minnesota bridge just last 2007, and the Hawaiian earthquake. Another citation on the advantage of using satphones among others is its services are not affected during the occurrence of natural calamities that usually destroy cell sites.

Although these can give us such communication services, there is still a negative thing that happens while using it. Knowing the distance it can reach, expect the delay in your conversations because its signal should travel to its space satellite first before reaching the earth again and finally to the one you are talking to.

Despite of this single disadvantage, we can never deny its usefulness to humans. We can be linked to a place where no man has ever been to. It can also connect us to our loved ones who are in the military or mountains.

Moving on, there are three big satellite phone networks that are presently operating. They are as follows:

Iridium - this network uses up to sixty six satellites that are called Low Earth Orbit or LEO located in our polar orbits about four hundred eighty miles above the sea level. This also offers a total global coverage.

Globalstar - this network however uses forty LEO satellites that as high as eight hundred seventy miles. This covers most places on earth but not all of it.

Thuraya - unlike the first two networks, this is one can only cover a few areas on earth that includes Middle East, Europe, Northern and Central Africa, and the Central Asia.

No matter how the calls and the satphone will cost, this gadget is definitely a must-have for its services are out-of-this-world.