Which network is right for you?
There are four satellite phone networks. Most "which is best" articles dodge the answer — here's the one we actually give customers, in the order we ask the questions.
Start with destination
Where you'll be matters more than any spec. Geostationary networks (Inmarsat, Thuraya) can't see the poles; low-earth-orbit networks (Iridium, Globalstar) cover far more of the planet but have smaller device ranges. If your trip crosses latitudes or oceans, that single fact usually decides it.
Then the job
Voice and SMS are easy — every network does them well. The fork is data: lightweight email and messaging suit any handset, but broadband (weather files, remote support, crew Wi-Fi) means a BGAN or Certus terminal, which narrows you toward Inmarsat or Iridium.
| NETWORK | BEST FOR | WATCH OUT |
| Iridium | Anywhere, incl. poles | Data costs add up |
| Inmarsat | Maritime safety, broadband | No polar coverage |
| Thuraya | EMEA & Central Asia value | No Americas |
| Globalstar | Tracking, US outdoors | Regional voice |
Our recommendation
For most first-time buyers heading somewhere genuinely remote, an Iridium handset with a prepaid plan is the right call — it's the network least likely to let you down, and you can always add a BGAN later if data needs grow. But that's the general answer. The right one for your trip is a two-minute phone call.