Comparing Iridium Handsets and Batteries
Comparing Portable Satellite Telephone Units - Jan 2010
|
Globalstar |
Iridium |
INMARSAT |
|
|
Size |
Hand-held |
Hand-held |
Laptop |
|
Weight—phone only |
GSP1600 = 370g |
9500 = 1 lb or 454g |
BGAN=as small as 1kg Many units available |
|
Antenna |
Omni-directional |
Omni-directional |
Directional - must point at the satellite |
|
Data rates |
9600 bps |
Direct Dial - 2400 bps Iridium Direct Data - 3-10kbps |
BGAN = 32 to 256kbps |
|
Coverage |
Check Map |
Worldwide |
+/- 70 deg Latitude |
|
Who pays?* |
Mobile pays all calls |
Caller pays |
Caller pays |
|
Unit Cost |
GSP1600 Used - $395
|
9500 used - market
|
$2500 and up |
|
Voice Quality |
Best |
Good |
Better |
|
Voice Call cost |
Domestic = $0.89-$1.69 Roaming = $2-$3.75 |
Mobile to Fixed= $1.50 Mobile to Mobile= $0.99 |
Mobile to Fixed= $2.50 - $3 |
|
Data Call Cost |
Same as voice-Iridium $0.99 from PSN |
Same as voice |
Data $8/MB and less |
|
2-wire interface |
Special fixed unit $2500 |
Special Fixed Unit $2600 |
Yes, RJ-1 connector on unit |
|
Short Msg Service (SMS) |
19 char/msg Free service |
Yes - 120 chars w/email Free service to phone |
No |
|
Battery life |
9 hr standby, 3.5 hr talk |
9500 std btry 1200 mah, 2 hr talk,16 hr standby 9500 hi-cap 1900 mah, 5.5h talk, 48h Standby 9505 std btry 1900mah, 3.6 hr talk, 38 hr standby 9555 std btry 1900mah, 4 hr talk, 30 hr standby |
50 hr standby, 2 hr talk |
|
Data Interface |
Serial |
Serial(9500-9505a) /USB (9555) |
Ethernet |
|
External Antenna |
Yes w/ $795 car kit |
Yes, various types |
Yes |
Notes:
-Iridium and INMARSAT have their own country codes and are an international call, mobile-to-fixed is at the rates shown, caller pays for fixed-to-mobile but is at a high rate based on your log-haul telephone company (typically $5-$10/min). Iridium 2 stage dialing is availble for $1.75/min. Globalstar appears as a domestic US number, unit owner pays for all air time.
-Globalstar has two call rates, one for domestic calls and a hefty surcharge for roaming outside of the domestic area. Canada, US and the Caribbean are one domestic area. The roaming rates vary depending on country. Latest low rates are $0.99/min domestic, $1.49 international call from domestic area, and $1.99 for roaming outside the domestic area
-See the Globalstar map for where data service is available.