The satellite telecommunications industry has seen rapid growth and dramatic changes since its humble beginnings in 1960 when AT&T received the very first license to launch a telecommunications satellite into space.
While the cellular phone industry has impacted the market penetration of hand held and portable satellite phones, the devices are becoming very commonplace within most business sectors today.
With the cellular standard GSM (Global system for mobile communications) becoming the world standard cellular use has grown exponentially allowing users to access voice & data services with the same handset around the globe. But since cellular systems use towers and are land based coverage issues are a problem in many areas around the world.
There are two distinct types of telecommunication satellite systems in use today. The first is Geostationary (GEO) and provides coverage globally minus the North & South Poles. The second is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system that provides truly global coverage. The two systems operate at different altitudes with the GEO system at 35,000 km above the earth and the LEO system at 780. A desirable benefit of these networks is their lack of reliance on land based infrastructure.
There are now four main players in the hand held and portable satellite market. Iridium LLC, Inmarsat, Thuraya and Globalstar.
Iridium launched commercial service in 1998 and continues to provide service around the globe with their latest handset, the Iridium 9555. Iridium has a LEO constellation comprised of 66 satellites.
The first competitor in the LEO market was Globalstar who launched commercial service in 2000. Their constellation of 48 satellites was dealt a blow in 2007 when problems arose with their voice communications.
In 2001 another provider of hand held services jumped into the market. Thuraya offers service through three GEO satellites. They presently only provide service in The Middle East, N. Africa and Europe.
One of the first markets to adopt satellite communications was the Maritime industry. In 1972 Inmarsat offered services through their GEO satellites. In 2005 they expanded into the land mobile market with BGAN.
As of June, 2010 this is about to change.
Inmarsat has listened to the market and incorporated features users have been asking for such as Bluetooth and built in GPS. They are also bringing the entry price down below $700.00 which should open the market up to a whole new segment of users.
At this price the mobile satellite industry should see a huge influx of users who in the past could not take advantage of the safety and security provided by a hand held satellite phone.
While the cellular phone industry has impacted the market penetration of hand held and portable satellite phones, the devices are becoming very commonplace within most business sectors today.
With the cellular standard GSM (Global system for mobile communications) becoming the world standard cellular use has grown exponentially allowing users to access voice & data services with the same handset around the globe. But since cellular systems use towers and are land based coverage issues are a problem in many areas around the world.
There are two distinct types of telecommunication satellite systems in use today. The first is Geostationary (GEO) and provides coverage globally minus the North & South Poles. The second is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system that provides truly global coverage. The two systems operate at different altitudes with the GEO system at 35,000 km above the earth and the LEO system at 780. A desirable benefit of these networks is their lack of reliance on land based infrastructure.
There are now four main players in the hand held and portable satellite market. Iridium LLC, Inmarsat, Thuraya and Globalstar.
Iridium launched commercial service in 1998 and continues to provide service around the globe with their latest handset, the Iridium 9555. Iridium has a LEO constellation comprised of 66 satellites.
The first competitor in the LEO market was Globalstar who launched commercial service in 2000. Their constellation of 48 satellites was dealt a blow in 2007 when problems arose with their voice communications.
In 2001 another provider of hand held services jumped into the market. Thuraya offers service through three GEO satellites. They presently only provide service in The Middle East, N. Africa and Europe.
One of the first markets to adopt satellite communications was the Maritime industry. In 1972 Inmarsat offered services through their GEO satellites. In 2005 they expanded into the land mobile market with BGAN.
As of June, 2010 this is about to change.
Inmarsat has listened to the market and incorporated features users have been asking for such as Bluetooth and built in GPS. They are also bringing the entry price down below $700.00 which should open the market up to a whole new segment of users.
At this price the mobile satellite industry should see a huge influx of users who in the past could not take advantage of the safety and security provided by a hand held satellite phone.
About the Author:
Learn more about Satellite Phones. Stop by Chris Hallam's site where you can find out all about the IsatPhone Pro and what it can do for you.
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