Frost & Sullivan Compares Iridium 9555 and IsatPhone Pro

Organizations that work and travel in remote regions require global 24x7 communications when cellular and landline service is not available or has been disrupted.  These organizations include military and government agencies, disaster recovery agencies, emergency first responder agencies, oil and gas companies, maritime users and many others that travel in remote areas.

Frost and Sullivan conducted a study of the differences between satellite phones and their services in a report published September 21, 2010.  This report was mainly between two of the most reliable handheld satellite phones available on the market.  Frost and Sullivan were able to provide an independent evaluation of the two satellite phones service and quality.  They intend to help satellite phone users and those making purchasing decisions make the best judgment when purchasing a satellite phone.

Frost and Sullivan chose to compare the performance and features of the latest models available providing global coverage.  These included the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro and the Iridium 9555 satellite phone which is a market leader.  Frost and Sullivan compare the Inmarsat’s constellation of three geosynchronous I-4 satellites with Iridium’s constellation of 66 low-earth-orbiting satellites. 

The features that were evaluated were size and weight, display, key pad, antenna, battery life, battery charger, ruggedness and feel.

Three locations were chosen to test each phone to understand the variations in performance.  These locations included Fort Lauderdale, FL; Anchorage, Alaska and Fort McMurray, Canada.

After the testing and analysis it was found the Iridium 9555 satellite phone was a superior device to the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro in all three locations.  Also the Iridium network provided better coverage.  In the testing the IsatPhone Pro would not function in Anchorage, Alaska.  Frost and Sullivan found the Iridium satellite phone gave better call quality and was able to register with satellite network much faster allowing for a faster call.  A very important difference was that the Iridium 9555 could receive an incoming call with the antenna down while the IsatPhone Pro could not receive a call with the antenna down.  The IsatPhone Pro handset is offered at about half the price of the Iridium 9555 satellite phone.  The IsatPhone Pro also has a lower per minute cost for the service. 

The Frost and Sullivan report recommends that heavy users of satellite phones like emergency responders who are in life or death situations choose the Iridium 9555 phone and service.

Even though this report recommends the Iridium satellite phone it is most likely Inmarsat’s service will improve and will adjust their satellite beams for optimal performance.

Learn More:

• How the Inmarsat Network Works
• History Timeline of Inmarsat
• Inmarsat’s Vision
• The Inmarsat I-4 Story
• About the I-4 Satellites used by the Isatphone
• IsatPhone Makes Successful Call
• How the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro Works
• Five Ways to Charge a IsatPhone Pro Satellite Phone
• IsatPhone Pro vs. Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone
• IsatPhone Pro is the Only Satellite Phone with Bluetooth
• Inmarsat Satellite Phones and Product Information

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