| There are innumerable brands available of | | | | rental; depending primarily on the type of |
| which the following are worthwhile: (1) | | | | handset you want. Whether you use it or not, |
| Globalstar, (2) Iridium, (3) Inmarsat, (4) | | | | you may have to pay an average daily minimum |
| Thuraya, (5) Pelican, (6) RBGAN, and (7) | | | | usage of 3 minutes, and in some cases, even |
| NERA. The price of a satellite phone handset | | | | more. Some satellite phone companies require |
| ranges from $275 to $9500 depending upon the | | | | you to pay weekly insurance, which, in all |
| type of services provided. A voice and slow | | | | probability, will cost you between $25 to $45 |
| access data phone handset will attract the | | | | per week! |
| minimum price whereas a high quality voice | | | | |
| together with a real fast data transfer will | | | | Iridium does not charge you any connection |
| cost much more, may be from $5500 to $9500. | | | | charges. However, they charge $.21 towards |
| Data cables, SIM Cards etc., cost you more. | | | | monthly subscription. Suppose you talk from |
| The rates are on the basis of (1) rate of | | | | your Iridium handset to another Iridium |
| incoming calls and, (2) rate of outgoing | | | | handset within the United States, you may |
| calls per minute. Most companies do not | | | | have to shell out $.50 per minute. In the |
| charge, or, charge very little connection | | | | event of the call being an international one, |
| charges. In addition they also slap on you a | | | | you may have to pay $1.50 per minute. In all |
| service charge every time you renew. | | | | other cases where you talk from your Iridium |
| | | | handset to various other satellite phone |
| In case you want to rent, may be you are | | | | systems, the charges are an exorbitant $8.50 |
| called to pay $45 to $ 475 per week towards | | | | per minute. |