Buy or rent a Satellite phone?

[TakeMeLord]

What is best? I go to Africa twice a year...

 

[USMA84DAB]

Interested in responses...

 

[BRICKBURN]

Are you actually going places where a mobile phone will not suffice?

 

[UpNorthMI]

I'd rent rather than buy, technology is changing in this area very quickly. Cell phone will eventually disappear and we will all eventually be using satellite, T Mobile started satellite text this year.

If just for emergency use consider a Garmin Inreach for text and location info.

When I go hunting overseas I really don't want a phone out in the bush. I'm happy to get back to camp and use wifi calling.

A mobile Starlink mini makes the best sense, I've seriously looked at one. While out in Australia for several weeks this year hunting in very remote locations, we took a Garmin Inreach that worked great for text but our outfitter had a starlink on his main vehicle, super nice setup.

 

[mdwest]

Are you actually going places where a mobile phone will not suffice?

thats a very valid question.. in the majority of places I have visited across Africa over the last 25+ years, cell networks have improved in huge ways.. other than the most remote places in the most undeveloped countries (South Sudan, Liberia, etc) cell coverage is honestly better than some places in Texas..

that said.. Sat communication is very affordable these days.. you can buy a garmin inreach for $250 and have text and geo locating services all over the globe.. or you can own a thuraya phone for about $600 and then pay about $38 a month for a talk plan.. there are some basic iridium phones that can be purchased for about the same money...

 

[Albert GRANT]

How would the portable Starlink setup compare? Might be a better option these days- not sure, haven't really looked into it, but another possible option

 

[MacJenkins]

How would the portable Starlink setup compare? Might be a better option these days- not sure, haven't really looked into it, but another possible option

I use to take a Satellite phone. Worked decent, expensive. Cell service is getting better over a lot of Africa. This last trip I took a starlink mini. WIll never go back. Was over there 6 weeks and it only cost me about $60ish in service for the whole trip and it got used a lot.

 

[Rare Breed]

What is best? I go to Africa twice a year...

Great question! Here are my thoughts, just me. While yes Starlink has improved using your own cell phone I knew years ago I did not want to trust anyone’s Wifii. I hunt Africa every year so I figured, yes I could rent a satellite phone I might as well buy given how many years I would use it. I bought an Iridium one and have never looked back. Each year, I buy a 60-120 minute sim card and know I can be reached and can reach out to anyone any where if needed. As much as we pay for a safari just seemed penny wise pound foolish to me not to

 

[Rare Breed]

Iridium 9555

 

[Safari Dave]

Because of ever improving technology, I would rent.

(After I talked to my safari to be sure cell technology hasn't made it to where you will be hunting)

(everyone in the wilds of Mozambique had one when I was there in 2021 - mud hut, solar panel, battery, cell phone charger)).

I believe an iPhone 14 or newer will send satellite texts, if it can't get a cell signal.

 

[mdwest]

How would the portable Starlink setup compare? Might be a better option these days- not sure, haven't really looked into it, but another possible option

I own a starlink mini.. it’s great for camp… mine, including a jackery power supply, solar panels, etc all fit into 2 fairly small pelican boxes… it was great to have in northern Idaho in Oct 2024 where we couldn’t get a cell signal for miles from our location…

It’s not as convenient as a sat phone though.. you can’t fit it in a pocket or throw it in a pack and have it with you all day while scooting around in the bakkie…

 

[Mekaniks]

Rent it…

Technology is moving fast. In the next 5 years there will be no more cell towers. Cell phones will all operate off satellites

 

[wesheltonj]

Rent. Starlink and Apple are in talks to have Satellite in all iPhones.

Starlink just works. Typing this on an overland truck in Patagonia. Was just on an expedition ship with Starlink to Antarctica. Works there works everywhere.

 

[Green Chile]

I would rent for reasons mentioned but don't forget about WhatsApp. It's my go to app for communicating internationally. It's very useful and free.

 

[Franco]

I have owned a SAT phone for years, I purchase a yearly subscription plan. I've taken it on every trip to Africa, took it to Australia, and carry it in either my truck or jeep depending on which I am driving.

There are cell towers in Africa, and most camps have Starlink; however, situations arise where you need to communicate and neither cell or Starlink are available. A SAT phone can be mighty handy.

I encountered a motorcycle wreck on a remote road with no cell coverage and was able to call for an ambulance. On more than occasion during a jeep trip in the desert or mountains, I was able to make calls on behalf others who had broken down.

That one time you need to make an emergency call, makes it worth having. Renting or buying - the choice is yours.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Rent. I own a couple Iridium 9555‘s and used them and a predecessor extensively at times, but haven’t purchased minutes in like 7-8 years. In Alaska we have a great “northern lights” package with minutes that roll over year to year, but it’s designed more for Alaska and Yukon. Once inreach took off, I’ve never renewed a plan.

Today, I cherish the quiet time where WiFi and cell service doesn’t exist. Where clients can’t find me, where personal/family time is truly personal. I try to enjoy it while I can, since it won’t be long before it’s gone.

I would absolutely rent because in today’s age, where a sat phone is needed today, it may not be tomorrow.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

BUT…if you decide to buy, hit me up. lol.

 

[coreydb]

Renting is better under your requirements. That said, any emergency will be handled by your PH and your pre-arranged insurance/emergency contact info. If it's to keep in touch with your family, definitely rent.

 

[bowjijohn]

I too have owned an iridium for at least 20 years

Sadly the world is shrinking and the need for one might well diminish

I’d look at renting with an ‘Africa package’

For a lot of areas a local mobile will suffice

 

[atrious]

satellitephonestore.com I rented from them for years till i bought one from them.. I bought the IridiumGO and like it.