Cell phones are one of the things that we’re all expected to have on hand, making them something that we don’t even think twice about when purchasing, upgrading or dropping money on them. Though satellite phones are intended to provide us with a smoother method of communication, they should not be purchased on a whim.

Think of this purchase as something along the lines of a house or a car. There are particular needs and requirements that you have, a budget that you should be sticking to, and countless things that will play a part in your final purchase. That being said, there are a lot of mistakes that are made when people purchase a satellite phone, which can lead to overspending or buying a phone that doesn’t even offer what you need!

In today’s blog, we are going to touch on a few of those common mistakes that are made and what you can do to ensure that you’re not making them.

Assuming Satellite & Cell Are the Same

Without a doubt, one of the biggest mistakes that we see made is the approach that satellite phones are similar to cell phones. Sure they’re both channels of communication, but they’re certainly not similar enough to be treated the same way. The main difference between the two is that cell phones are only able to receive service from land-based towers, which makes the service that you’re getting much more limited than that of a satellite phone.

This main difference is one of the many that should play a part in whether or not you choose to purchase a cell phone or a satellite phone. If you are someone that needs service beyond what a cell tower could provide you, then it makes a lot of sense to purchase a satellite phone. But, if you are unsure whether your needs go as far as buying a satellite phone instead of a cell phone, talk with a team member at Outfitter Satellite.

We can help you determine if your needs are ones that could be reached with the service of a cell phone or if renting out a satellite phone for these types of events is better. Save yourself some money and purchase wisely.

Underestimating Service Abilities

One of the main reasons that people opt for a satellite phone is because the quality of service is much better, especially in comparison to the service that one generally gets from a cell tower. Though this is certainly the case, there is no way to guarantee perfect service from a satellite phone. There are plenty of myths that tell tales of satellite phones not being able to get service because they were used during an overcast day or while the user was in cloud cover.

Over the years, this myth has quickly been busted and many satellite phones have found ways to ensure that this is never the case for users. Sure, you’re more likely to get a great signal when using your phone on a nice clear day, but the antennas that satellite phones have are powerful enough to pick up a signal regardless of the circumstances.

Aside from the standard misconception of phones not working when the power is out. If cell phones and landlines won’t work when the power is out, how could satellite phones possibly work? Well, both cell phones and landlines are only able to function because of towers and lines that are powered by electricity. So when there is a power outage, they aren’t able to work because their main power component is down.

Satellite phones, on the other hand, do not get their connection from any source that is powered by electricity. That means that even during the worst storms, you should still be able to receive a connection to the satellite and make a call. Though this is a common misconception of satellite phones, it’s also the primary reason that these phones are so valuable to have on hand.

Overlooking Features

Sure a satellite phone is a nice tool to have all on its own, providing you with a strong signal regardless of cell phone towers, but there are so many features that you can ensure your satellite phone has that may prove to be helpful for you. Satellite phones have been around for a while, which means that people most commonly envision the chunky models that have made their way into movies and the like.

Sure this is how satellite phones started, but it’s far from where they are today. Just about every satellite phone will offer the ability to make a call and send a text, but there are models that now provide the user with just about the same experience as a smartphone. Are you someone that would benefit from having GPS services on their phone or you’d like to be able to make a Bluetooth connection? Make sure that these types of needs are stated before you commit to one device.

Purchase vs. Renting

We’ve talked about a few of the significant differences between cell phones and satellite phones in today’s blog post, but there are still a few crucial things that make these two phones remarkably different. Satellite phones allow the option of rental, whereas renting a cell phone sounds like one of the silliest things you’ve ever heard, right?

Satellite phones are pretty expensive to purchase outright, and while they may be very helpful devices, it only makes sense to purchase one outright if it’s something that you’re going to be using on a daily or consistent basis. For instance, if you work in an area that is outside the reach of the local cell phone towers, then purchasing a satellite phone to use on a daily basis is not a bad idea at all!

However, if you’re thinking that a satellite phone would be really beneficial for a trip that you’re taking in the mountains or an isolated area, then it might be better to rent a satellite phone. Annual trips or short trips that aren’t routinely taken don’t require for you to purchase an expensive satellite phone since the phone will only be used every so often. Instead, save some money by renting a phone for the time that you need it — this method ensures that you’re still safe while you’re traveling and keeps you from having to drop quite a bit of cash on a whim.

Turn to Outfitters Satellite

The team at Outfitters Satellite want to provide you with the assistance and guidance that you need to find the right satellite phone. We provide the option to both purchase and rent the various models that we offer. Take a look at the different satellite, handheld devices that we carry and make sure to contact our team with any questions or inquiries that you may have.