How Does a Satellite Phone Work?

Satellite phones work differently than cell phones do. Cell phones get their signal from cell towers that are located on the ground. Satellite phones get their signal from satellites that orbit in space.

How Satellite Phones Make Phone Calls

Satellite phones can make and receive phone calls with other satellite phones, cell phones and land lines. When a satellite phone calls another satellite phone, the call is connected when the calling satellite phone sends a signal to the satellite and the satellite sends a signal to the satellite phone that is being called. If a call is made between a satellite phone and a cell phone or a land line, the satellite sends a signal to a ground station that connects the phone call.

Satellite Phone Reception

Satellite phones can get reception in most areas of the world. They do need to have a clear view of the sky in order to work. Because satellite phones need a clear view of the sky, they will not work indoors unless an external antenna is used. External antennas can be purchased that can be placed on the roof of a building or the roof of a car. External car antennas are generally portable antennas that use a magnet to attach to the roof. If desired, the magnetic antennas can easily be removed and attached onto a different car.

Types of Satellite Phones

The two basic types of satellite phones are, hand held satellite phones and fixed satellite phones. Hand held satellite phones are portable. Some models can be quite large and heavy, making them not ideal for daily use. Other models are small and lightweight. Some are almost as small as cell phones. Fixed satellite phones are not meant to be carried around.

Benefits of Satellite Phones

Satellite phone service generally tends to be more expensive than cell phone service and land line service. They are usually not used as a replacement for cell phones or land lines but instead as an alternative in situations where they can be useful. Satellite phones have the advantage of working in emergency situations. Cell towers can get overloaded form a high volume of calls during catastrophes and fail to work. Satellite phones will most likely work in the event of a catastrophe because they work on a completely different system that does not tend to get overloaded. Satellite phones are handy in areas where cell phones do not work. In the back country and in remote areas, satellite phones may be the only option for phone communications