Remember that scene in “Jurassic Park III” where Dr. Alan Grant and his small gang were trapped in a large cage that was slowly sinking and their only hope of rescue was calling a friend on a satellite phone? Now, imagine if he tried calling from a regular smartphone—no way he would’ve gotten a signal. So, just in case you are in desperate times in a remote part of the world being chased by blood-thirsty dinosaurs, here are a few ways to set up reliable communication.
Why Satellite Phones
Satellite communication has been around since 1965, but mobile satellite technology has only been around since 1997. Satellite phones work by sending radio signals to satellites that then transmit the signal back through the station, explains VoIP Mechanic. This is much more reliable than cell towers, which can be influenced by weather, distance and objects (like that giant T-Rex) obstructing the signal.
Plus, with today’s technology, sat phones use SIM cards and have the capability of being used like a regular smartphone. They also display longitude and latitude coordinates (so you can explain where exactly you and T-Rex are tangoing for life and death), and some even feature solar panels for remote battery charging. A sat phone’s battery life is typically four hours with 36 to 40 hours of standby time.
Setting Up Your Connection
Using satellite phones is very simple. For example, for the Iridium Go! satellite phone, all you have to do is simply flip up the integrated antenna, and the device does the rest. Once it is activated, the device will automatically set up a Wi-Fi hotspot within a 100-foot radius of your location.
Then, once you’ve downloaded the Iridium GO! app, you can turn it on and connect the unit to your other smart devices. With this feature, you can use your regular smartphone and receive a satellite signal. The app will assign a satellite phone number to your smartphone that can be used to take incoming calls. However, anyone calling your smartphone number will not be able to reach you when it’s connected to the Iridium GO!
To beef up your security, you can purchase the YES Secure network connection, which better protects any highly sensitive data you plan to transmit or receive through your satellite-connected devices. Used by banks, insurance companies and industrial enterprises, this network uses crypto-systems to maximize security. Furthermore, it protects you from any digital theft, preventing those crafty velociraptors from ever figuring out how to get into your mobile devices.
Things to Be Aware Of
Although satellite phones receive much better signals than cell phones, there are still some things that can affect it. For example, the weather and temperature may affect the phone and battery. Blue Cosmo explains that weather may affect the transmission signal from the satellite to the ground, and that extreme heat or cold can cut down on the battery life.
Whether you are in the midst of a dinosaur attack, sinking into a pit of water or just in a remote location, a satellite phone is sure to help you stay in contact when necessary.
