Mobile satellite internet devices allow you to get internet service virtually anywhere on earth from a compact, laptop-sized terminal. Just go outside, point the terminal to an available satellite and in just a few minutes the device will broadcast a 30 meter (100 foot) radius wireless network. Anyone within range and a WiFi enabled smartphone, laptop or tablet will be able to log into the wireless network and browse the internet, download emails and make VOIP calls. Expected speeds on these devices is up to 450 Kbps, but can vary depending on device signal strength, environmental conditions, network congestion and number of users.
There are 4 basic systems availble for applications ranging from weekend warriors extending their digital leash, companies working in or exploring isolated areas needing internet access where it doesnt exist, to NGOs and media outlets deploying after a natural disaster struck.
Inmarsat offers 2 portable internet services, the IsatHub for low use (basic emails, browsing) ideal for data use under 200MB per month, using the iSavi portable terminal. If using 250 megabytes to 30 gigabytes per month, the Inmarsat BGAN service is a bettter value with the BGAN FLEX Plan, as it offers unlimited service, which is capped at 30 gigabytes per calendar month. Both services have an identical coverage area, which includes the entire world with the exception of Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Thuraya offers the Thuraya IP service, which is very similar to Inmarsat BGAN, but coverage is limited to parts of Europe and Aurtralia and most of Africa and Asia. Thuraya coverage area does not extend to north or south America.
Lastly, VSAT quick deploy and fly away antennas offer much faster speeds, but terminal prices start at about C$35,000 and can top C$100,000 for large models.
A satellite phone or sat phone is a type of portable phone that can make and receive calls as well as send and receive text messages by connecting to orbiting satellites where terrestrial cell sites are not available.
Compare Top 5 Mobile Satellite Internet Devices
| MODEL | WIDEYE ISAVI | COBHAM EXPLORER 510 | HUGHES 9202M | HUGHES 9211 | COBHAM EXPLORER 710 |
| NETWORK | INMARSAT | INMARSAT | INMARSAT | INMARSAT | INMARSAT |
| DEVICE COST | US$1195.00 | US$2175.00 | US$2795.00 | US$4495.00 | US$5249.97 |
| CONSTELLATION | 3 SATELLITES | 3 SATELLITES | 3 SATELLITES | 3 SATELLITES | 3 SATELLITES |
| USAGE AREA | GLOBAL (EXCEPT FOR POLAR REGIONS) | GLOBAL (EXCEPT FOR POLAR REGIONS) | GLOBAL (EXCEPT FOR POLAR REGIONS) | GLOBAL (EXCEPT FOR POLAR REGIONS) | GLOBAL (EXCEPT FOR POLAR REGIONS) |
| APPLICATIONS | PHONE, SMS, INTERNET, ANDROID COMPATIBLE, IOS COMPATIBLE | PHONE, SMS, INTERNET, EMAIL, FTP, VOIP, VIDEO STREAMING, ISDN (64 KBPS), FAX | |||
| DOWNLOAD SPEEDS | UP TO 384 KBPS | UP TO 464 KBPS | UP TO 464 KBPS | UP TO 492 KBPS | UP TO 492 KBPS |
| UPLOAD SPEEDS | UP TO 240 KBPS | UP TO 448 KBPS | UP TO 448 KBPS | UP TO 492 KBPS | UP TO 492 KBPS |
| TRANSMIT TIME |
RECEIVE TIME, MAX: 4H40M @ 128kbps TRANSMIT TIME, MAX: 2H25M @ 128kbps |
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| STANDBY TIME | UP TO 24 HOURS | UP TO 36 HOURS | UP TO 36 HOURS | ||
| LENGTH | 179 mm | 202 mm | 216 mm | 232 mm | 279 mm |
| WIDTH | 170 mm | 202 mm | 216 mm | 292 mm | 332 mm |
| DEPTH | 30 mm | 52 mm | 41 mm | 51 mm | 52 mm |
| WEIGHT | 850 grams | 1.4 kg | 304 grams | 2.019 kg | 3.5 kg |
| OPERATING TEMPERATURES | -25°C to 55°C | -5°C to 55°C | -5°C to 55°C | -5°C to 55°C | -25°C to 55°C |
| IP RATING | IP65 | IP66 | IP55 | IP65 | IP 52 TRANSCEIVER, IP66 ANTENNA |
