satellite phones - help please?
Discussion
Caulkhead said:
Whereabouts is the area with zero coverage?
near Carburton, Nottsorange shows coverage on their 'map' but i get no signal on either orange or virgin
other users in the area get no signal?
i'd rather not spend £500+ for a sat phone but i must be contactable - family!
are the phone 'boosters' any good? - the circuit board type ones that stick to the battery casing?
It sounds like a sat-phone might be more trouble than it's worth for you. They are a bit patchy indoors, and horrifically expensive to have a conversation on. You can get dual GSM/satellite handsets, which will switch to regular mobile phone towers when in range, or otherwise use a satellite. I had a Thuraya 2520 to use while travelling. You just pop any regular SIM card in it (I think O2 had a roaming agreement with Thuraya), and when it needs to use the satellite you just get billed as if you are 'overseas' on the satellite.
However, for you have a look at UMA
http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/uma
It lets you use a regular phone (that has the feature) but gives you your own little 'cell' at home.
or alternatively
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/personal/price-plans/net... which 'boosts' your home mobile signal.
However, for you have a look at UMA
http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/uma
It lets you use a regular phone (that has the feature) but gives you your own little 'cell' at home.
or alternatively
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/personal/price-plans/net... which 'boosts' your home mobile signal.
wurumal said:
It sounds like a sat-phone might be more trouble than it's worth for you. They are a bit patchy indoors, and horrifically expensive to have a conversation on. You can get dual GSM/satellite handsets, which will switch to regular mobile phone towers when in range, or otherwise use a satellite. I had a Thuraya 2520 to use while travelling. You just pop any regular SIM card in it (I think O2 had a roaming agreement with Thuraya), and when it needs to use the satellite you just get billed as if you are 'overseas' on the satellite.
However, for you have a look at UMA
http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/uma
It lets you use a regular phone (that has the feature) but gives you your own little 'cell' at home.
or alternatively
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/personal/price-plans/net... which 'boosts' your home mobile signal.
i'll be outdoors at/near the Carburton location - the 'caller' will be 'indoors' using a landline - does this help?However, for you have a look at UMA
http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/uma
It lets you use a regular phone (that has the feature) but gives you your own little 'cell' at home.
or alternatively
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/personal/price-plans/net... which 'boosts' your home mobile signal.
so no use increasing the 'at home/indoor coverage'?
its me outdoors that needs to receive calls - hence a sat phone?
Edited by grand cherokee on Monday 27th June 15:34
randlemarcus said:
Quick thought before you get into the silly expense of Sat Phones. When you are actually in the area, ask around, and see if any of the other networks have signal there. Then get a PayG on that network, and give the number to the family member to ring if there's an issue.
asked everybody else at the 'venue' and no network gets a signal - its in a river valley with the steepest hill blocking the signal to the area mast/sgo a quarter of a mile in either direction and you get a signal - does not help me though!
MonkeyBusiness said:
I think a satellite phone will be very expensive.
What about a pager (if they still exist).
surely if a phone will not work then a pager will not work?What about a pager (if they still exist).
yes, a sat phone will be expensive but i take my 'responsibilities' seriously
so, looks like a sat phone is the only option?
so BEST DEALS ?
ps - have just bought an old nokia phone off ebay (orange 702 with aerial) - for £13 posted - told these have far better reception as the aerial etc were designed for the days when 'masts' were few and far between
Edited by grand cherokee on Wednesday 29th June 10:50
grand cherokee said:
surely if a phone will not work then a pager will not work?
yes, a sat phone will be expensive but i take my 'responsibilities' seriously
so, looks like a sat phone is the only option?
so BEST DEALS ?
I don't know how pagers work.yes, a sat phone will be expensive but i take my 'responsibilities' seriously
so, looks like a sat phone is the only option?
so BEST DEALS ?
Where to buy? Google is your friend -
http://satphone.co.uk/
http://www.satellitephonefaq.com/
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/realworld/367414/satellite-...
I'd agree that the satellite phone seems to be the only solution to receiving calls in that location.
Questions about duration of need, and frequency - is this a permanent requirement, or temporary, and how often would you envisage that it will actually be used?
Quick look on the web shows that the rental ranges from 35-125 per month for the capability, and then you will have call charges on top of that, and those can be a little expensive. Simply popping your existing SIM into a rental handset will mean that every call to that number when you are off the grid will be expensive, and get annoying quite quickly. I'd suggest that a reasonable solution would be, if its not permanent, and not frequent, to get a new number and give that to the family.
If it's permanent, or frequent, have you asked BT to run a landline to the location. Yes it will be a PITA, but for them, not you. Once on site, you can look at cordless to extend the reach a little, or even the femtocell to provide a mobile signal for your real mobile.
Questions about duration of need, and frequency - is this a permanent requirement, or temporary, and how often would you envisage that it will actually be used?
Quick look on the web shows that the rental ranges from 35-125 per month for the capability, and then you will have call charges on top of that, and those can be a little expensive. Simply popping your existing SIM into a rental handset will mean that every call to that number when you are off the grid will be expensive, and get annoying quite quickly. I'd suggest that a reasonable solution would be, if its not permanent, and not frequent, to get a new number and give that to the family.
If it's permanent, or frequent, have you asked BT to run a landline to the location. Yes it will be a PITA, but for them, not you. Once on site, you can look at cordless to extend the reach a little, or even the femtocell to provide a mobile signal for your real mobile.
randlemarcus said:
I'd agree that the satellite phone seems to be the only solution to receiving calls in that location.
Questions about duration of need, and frequency - is this a permanent requirement, or temporary, and how often would you envisage that it will actually be used?
Quick look on the web shows that the rental ranges from 35-125 per month for the capability, and then you will have call charges on top of that, and those can be a little expensive. Simply popping your existing SIM into a rental handset will mean that every call to that number when you are off the grid will be expensive, and get annoying quite quickly. I'd suggest that a reasonable solution would be, if its not permanent, and not frequent, to get a new number and give that to the family.
If it's permanent, or frequent, have you asked BT to run a landline to the location. Yes it will be a PITA, but for them, not you. Once on site, you can look at cordless to extend the reach a little, or even the femtocell to provide a mobile signal for your real mobile.
the facts - and thanks for your help/adviseQuestions about duration of need, and frequency - is this a permanent requirement, or temporary, and how often would you envisage that it will actually be used?
Quick look on the web shows that the rental ranges from 35-125 per month for the capability, and then you will have call charges on top of that, and those can be a little expensive. Simply popping your existing SIM into a rental handset will mean that every call to that number when you are off the grid will be expensive, and get annoying quite quickly. I'd suggest that a reasonable solution would be, if its not permanent, and not frequent, to get a new number and give that to the family.
If it's permanent, or frequent, have you asked BT to run a landline to the location. Yes it will be a PITA, but for them, not you. Once on site, you can look at cordless to extend the reach a little, or even the femtocell to provide a mobile signal for your real mobile.
the location is a lake in the middle of a rural estate - i'm fishing
contact - my elderly parents who rely on me in the case of emergencies - live about 6 miles from the lake/my home so literally minutes away in the case of emergencies
frequency of use - hopefully never - but MUST be available if needed
MonkeyBusiness said:
How far is the family away? A few miles?
If so would a 'walkie talkie' work?
^^^ This, but upgrade it to a CB [free now] or Amateur radio [free but you officially need courses to use them].If so would a 'walkie talkie' work?
For the CB you can use a high power handheld or a lightweight base unit with a small 12v motorcycle battery, much cheaper than a sat phone and no contract. Install another CB unit at a trusted manned landline and you're contactable 24/7.
Dracoro said:
You mention Orange and Virgin. Have you tried O2 and Vodafone as well?
Get a couple of PAYG sims and test them. They may not commit to saying there is coverage but they well be some.
thanksGet a couple of PAYG sims and test them. They may not commit to saying there is coverage but they well be some.
BUT
nobody gets 'mobile' coverage - FACT - its a total DEAD ZONE
SO
now lets talk sat phones please?
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