The IsatPhone Pro uses the Inmarsat I-4 series of satellites which are the most advanced commercial mobile communication spacecrafts in the industry.
The I-4 constellation is made up of three large and powerful geostationary satellites that are placed in high earth orbit 22,240 statute miles above the Earth. They are part of the 11 strong fleet of satellites owned and operated by Inmarsat.
The Inmarsat-2s, Inmarsat’s first wholly owned satellites, were launched in the 1990s. The Inmarsat 3s launched later that decade were the first generation to use spot beam technology.
The Inmarsat I-4s are the most powerful satellites so far launched by Inmarsat. The I-4s are 60 times more powerful than their Inmarsat 3s.
The I-4s satellites are expected to continue commercial service until 2020.
After the launch of the third I-4 satellite the constellation now provides worldwide coverage excluding only the poles providing service to both the IsatPhone Pro and the BGAN satellite terminal.
When using a satellite phone you must gain line-of-site to one of the satellites. There must be no obstruction between the satellite phone and the satellite to gain line-of-site. Obstructions could include trees or buildings. Once the handheld phone or terminate obtains line-of-site and registers with the satellite network you will be able to carry on voice or data communication as long as that line-of-site is established.
Voice communication basically is transmitted from the satellite phone to the satellite then down to a ground station where it is switched to the public telephone system and carried to a landline or cellular phone. |
