On Friday, April 1, 2016 at 8:13:05 AM UTC-7, ND wrote:
does anyone know of a good low priced prepaid satellite phone? seems like a good thing to have for a mission i have in mind, and the cheapest i'm finding are ^$400. i have something like the "tracfone" of satellite phones in mind.

thanks,

-ND

You have to decide whether you will go with Globalstar or Iridium. Iridium has the best coverage, but (if you are going to the poles) Globalstar would probably be adequate. Here is a monthly Globalstar plan:

http://www.globalstar.com/en/index.php?cid=1250

If you only want to use the phone for a few months out of the year buy the phone outright ($500) and pay the $40 per month. Plans where they say the phone is free it isn't - you pay for it one way or the other. If you do go that route, however, you can send the phone back after a month or so if you don't like it. Iridium plans start at $60 per month:

https://www.satellitephonestore.com/...zxoCkAjw_w cB

The last choice is Inmarsat. They are different than the other two in that they have geostationary satellites. Like Globalstar, they don't provide total global coverage. Like satellite TV, you must have a view of the southern sky, so they won't work in deep valleys or urban canyons. Here are some typical plans (they do require a 12 month contract):

https://www.satellitephonestore.com/.../isatphone-pro

Tom