8. Comparing satellite and mobile phones
Item |
Mobile phone |
Satellite phone |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Worldwide as long as a mobile mast is within range both ends. Not likely in a jungle or mountain and definitely not in the oceans | Truly world wide - ocean, mountain, desert, jungle, anywhere |
| Size | Very Compact | Hand held but not small |
| Battery life | Few days or more | 1 to 2 days standby |
| Purchase cost | A few pounds for a basic phone to a few hundred for a smart phone | Around £300+ to purchase the phone itself then relatively expensive 'pay-as-you-go' and monthly contracts. If you are in a place that does not have mobile, then satellite phones are the only option. |
| Call cost | Cheap | Expensive |
| Technology | GSM radio technology | Satellite technology |
| Services | Many services in addition to calls | Mainly calls, text and some slow data transmission at 2.4Kbit/s |
challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you
Click on this link: Satellite phones