Globalstar

[Kokopelli]

Does anyone one have experience with Globalstar sat phone service? We plan on cruising throughout the Bahamas and were wanting phone/internet communication. Globalstar claims they have coverage throughout the Bahamas. Before commiting to the expense I was hoping someone might be able to comment on reliability of service and extent of coverage.

Many Thanks,
Kokopelli

[johnmck]

After Jeanne and Francis, I rented a Globalstar to use on one trip since cell phones and land lines were down. It was spotty service, multiple dials to get a number, a lot of dropped calls that had to be redialled, voice breakups and static, etc. Having said that it was a whole lot better than nothin' and I eventually accomplished all I needed to.

[win one]

Try going to www.gmpcs-us.com (http://www.gmpcs-us.com). They're in
Ft Lauderdale and they recommend the Iridium phone over Globalstar for the Abacos. I rented one (Iridium) for the first week in June, so I'll be able to test it then. Good Luck!

[Island Notes]

Iridium has better all around service with far fewer incidents of dropped calls but it is quite a bit more expensive than Globalstar. Globalstar also has a 9600 baud data capability without huge additional equipment cost.

If you are willing to pay the additional bucks then go with Iridium. If cost is a factor then despite the odd problem with Globalstar, it is generally fine.





QUOTE=Kokopelli]Does anyone one have experience with Globalstar sat phone service? We plan on cruising throughout the Bahamas and were wanting phone/internet communication. Globalstar claims they have coverage throughout the Bahamas. Before commiting to the expense I was hoping someone might be able to comment on reliability of service and extent of coverage.

Many Thanks,
Kokopelli[/QUOTE]

[PELLUCID]

To add a little more detail - I use Globalstar but would recommend it only to those who understand its limitations.

There is a basic difference in system design between it and Iridium. Both use a constellation of low-orbiting satellites. However, Iridium uses as many satellites as it needs to connect between endpoints of a call. Globalstar uses only one.

What this means using Globalstar is that you can only make a call when a satellite is about 20 degrees above the horizon. In theory, the call will get passed to another satellite when the one you are using sinks to about 20 degrees above the opposite horizon. In the Bahamas, this seldom happens. Instead, your call gets cut off.

Average call length is 4 to 5 minutes. I have never had one longer than 10 minutes. So long as you and the people you are calling are OK with this, it works fine.

Xaxero has a satellite tracker that will display the current satellite locations and the angle of the nearest one. At one time, the demo version was freeware. I do not know if this is still the case.

Hope this helps!

[SueBowe]

David and I have the Globalstar sat phone and it works, if we are standing very still outside the cottage on Guana Cay with lots of patience.

[Kimberly]

Having used both, the Globalstar works pretty well in the northern Bahamas (Abacos), but service runs to zilch anywhere south and east of New Providence (Nassau). Iridium, on the other hand, works like a dream. A lot of boaters use Inmarsat as well, but it's not nearly as portable.

Hope this helps
Kimberly
Briland.com

[Agur's Wish]

We have the iridium phone and it works like a dream and I was even able to call home in the height of both hurricanes while another person staying in the same house had Globalstar and kept getting dropped calls. That being said it is expensive and I have been jealous of the Globalstar users who have cheaper monthly plans allowing cheaper internet access. When we signed up with Iridium it was $.99 a minute but when it was time to buy more minutes it went up to $1.25. Unlike cell phones you can't shop around for cheaper deals once you sign up with a provider(usually whoever you buy the phone from)your stuck. The upside is you rarely get dropped calls and your minutes never expire. I've heard that Batelco has dropped their rates to $.50-$.60 per minute.