Ocean Navigator January/February Newsletter

Marine Electronics:

At Sea Communication:
Common satellite phone systems head to head
By Noah Hoagland

Frequently, in my career with Marine Computer Systems, Inc., I have helped end user after end user with their questions and troubles with the ins and outs of Globalstar and Iridium. What’s best option for where they’re going, costs and connectivity? I have been on the ground floor for customers switching between Globalstar and Iridium after a poorly informed decision to go with one rather than the one that best suits their needs. Additionally, there seems to be a lack of coaching when it comes to end users using their system correctly. So here it is, the ins and outs to Globalstar and Iridium.

First, let us talk about the technology. Satellite communication is very cool and can keep you safe and connected on your voyages. Both Globalstar and Iridium systems use non-geosynchronous satellites zipping overhead at around 16,000 mph.

The Iridium satellite system allows your signals to be transferred from one satellite to another before reaching the ground station in which your call or data signal is routed to your destination. This means that you can be really far away from land or civilization in general and still make voice and data calls.

Globalstar on the other hand uses a different technology. The voice and data calls being sent and received from your handset are traveling to one of the many orbiting satellites and then directly back down to a land station. These stations are spread out around the world and the technology allows Globalstar to provide a faster and clearer signal. The down side is that Globalstar’s coverage is not worldwide.

The Break Down

Iridium handheld and fixed-mounted units
The Iridium System has become a well-known workhorse of a wide variety of users, notably in government and marine applications. Its coverage (for all practical purposes) can be relied upon anywhere in the world. Initial cost for the handheld unit is about $1,500, which includes all the pieces you’ll need to get up and running with voice communication. An additional data kit will get you to the Internet where you will unfortunately find that you will never use this system for everyday web browsing as it is just too slow to load and surf Web pages, even when used in conjunction with its compression software. Non-Iridium brand docking kits are available for the handsets and give the portable unit better signal strength and a more permanently installed feel.

Service is estimated at about $2.00 per minute but will vary depending on how you want to be billed. Customers choose from pre-paid or post-paid plans, buying a chunk of minutes up front or accumulating charges as they go.

Globalstar handheld and fixed-mounted systems
This popular system has lost ground recently due to satellite connectivity issues, but when working it is an excellent option for the coastal sailor. Globalstar’s coverage area stretches (give or take) about 200 to 300 nautical miles offshore. The Globalstar system works with one satellite at a time. This is one reason for the limited coverage in remote areas during their satellite connectivity problems. When working the operation is short and sweet, your signal travails from your phone to one of the satellites and then directly to a land station. This allows Globalstar to provide a faster data connection than Iridium, and comes close to tolerable Web browsing speeds if you are patient enough. Handheld units start around $750 to $900 and come with a charger and a manual; you will need to add a data kit or docking station to allow for Internet access or any type of data communication.

Rates are currently available to get you unlimited access for as low as $20/month. With Globalstar’s connectivity issues, I have noticed a decline in customers wanting the global system on board their vessel. Plans to replenish the missing satellites and bring the system back up to par are under way and I look forward to being able to recommend them to my coastal customers again.

Utilization of satellite equipment
As high-speed Internet becomes the new standard in home connectivity, satellite phone users need to remember that the always-on data connection they have at home is not the recommended situation for satellite communication at sea (or for your wallet). In every computer there are programs running, added to by users or by Internet-based programs without the user’s knowledge that request Internet updates and data sharing. Be wary of these types of applications running in the background of your computer, as they will slow your data connection down dramatically when you’re trying to quickly use a satellite phone for a data call. Things like Windows automatic updates and updates to programs need to be controlled or turned off.

Additionally, the data connections themselves can be adjusted in your computer. These settings should be set to turn off your connection after a predetermined idle time interval and also set to not automatically reconnect if the connection is lost. What you don’t want happening is for your computer to be able to connect automatically and download something over the Internet one evening, using 360 minutes at $2.00 a minute. It will quickly become an expensive burden.

There are many service providers and great people in the industry to help you figure out what you need and train you on how to use it correctly. Don’t settle for walking away with just a box of equipment, get people in the industry behind you that you can trust and make an educated choice in your next satellite phone purchase or upgrade.

About the Author
Noah Hoagland is the owner of Marine Computer Systems in Harpswell, Maine, which specializes in marine electronics, communications and computer systems for  sailboats and power voyaging vessels. Contact Noah at: noah@marinecomputer.com

 

---

Response:

Dear Sir,

I read with some interest your article on Iridium and Globalstar.  If you don't mind I would like to relate our experience, since we have owned both systems.

In the interest of time, I'll try to pare down the story.  We initially bought Globalstar for use along the East Coast and in the Bahamas.  At first, it was a very cost effective means of emergency communications.  In addition, we purchased XGate which allowed us to download e-mails (particularly Chris Parker's weather reports) when offshore.  There were some times access was difficult, but as I said in the beginning it worked fine for our purposes.

In 2006, Globalstar's service  began to decline.  When contacted by us and other cruisers with the system, the company's response was that new satellites were scheduled for launch to fix the problems. 

By the end of the year, service had deteriorated to such a point if was virtually unusable.  Dropped calls were the norm.  In fact, we were so vigorous in our contact with them, they finally agreed to reimburse our drop calls--nearly $150.  Other cruisers that we talked to were having the same problems.   From one of them, we discovered that they were offer half price service for three months.  Once again, after repeated calls, we got the same offer.

By now the service level was almost unusable. In fact we either could not get a signal or remain on line long enough to receive Chris Parker weather e-mail service. At that point,  I told my wife that even if they gave it to us free it was useless as an offshore and emergency communication tool.

Again, we were not the only cruisers experiencing this issue.

Finally, in May of last year when we were back in states, we  bit the bullet and purchased an Iridium phone.  Both the phone and calling plan are significantly more expensive.  But the bottom line is we finally had a system that worked.

When we talk to people evaluating Globalstar, we warn them to test the system before purchasing. 

I don't know if they ever did launch the new satellites or fixed the system, but any buyer should beware.

If you have any questions, just let me know.  Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Mark P.

---

Mark,

Thanks for the interest and sorry to hear that the Globalstar situation is worse ten i thought. I welcome you and anyone to join our newsletter/mailing list. I will be keeping tabs on the situation to the best of my ability and sending out updates. All we can do now is wait.

Regards,

Noah H

---

Response:

Quick question for Noah Hoagland author of the article on Iridium vs Global Star in recent newsletter: As a Global Star customer and fan until they lost their satellites last summer, I wonder when they are going to be up and running again. Any indication that the coverage will be back soon? I asked them many times last year and they kept promising it would be back soon but it never was. Thanks, Dean H.

---

 Dean,

Nothing concrete yet, It is frustrating not having any answers for the loyal customers.

Regards,

Noah H

---