SPOT, the company that makes emergency beacons that connect via satellite, now has a Global Phone product for two way communication when you're away from cell phone signals.
Each phone has its own North American phone number. The phone can transmit data as well as voice, but at a meager 24 kbits per second.
"Global" does not yet mean that phone service is available everywhere. There are large sections of Africa, India and southeast Asia where the phone receives no signal today. Service in Central America, Nigeria and Singapore is listed as "coming in 2013."
The phone costs $500. Here's the chart of monthly plans. Each plan requires a 12 month commitment. Today, SPOT is offering to double the minutes available on many plans for the same price. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=126
Here's a decent review. The author travels to remote locations in the southwest USA, and finds the phone works as advertized. The author notes several quirks in the Global Phone's operation. You'll need a clear view of the sky to get a connection, so no calling from indoors. The phone doesn't receive signals unless the antenna is extended. Calling from inside a vehicle may not work, either. (Sounds like the phone needs the option of an in-vehicle antenna.) The phone's charger for mains power is big and bulky. And the phone can receive text messages, but can't send them.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/16/spot-global-phone-review/
Each phone has its own North American phone number. The phone can transmit data as well as voice, but at a meager 24 kbits per second.
"Global" does not yet mean that phone service is available everywhere. There are large sections of Africa, India and southeast Asia where the phone receives no signal today. Service in Central America, Nigeria and Singapore is listed as "coming in 2013."
The phone costs $500. Here's the chart of monthly plans. Each plan requires a 12 month commitment. Today, SPOT is offering to double the minutes available on many plans for the same price. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=126
Here's a decent review. The author travels to remote locations in the southwest USA, and finds the phone works as advertized. The author notes several quirks in the Global Phone's operation. You'll need a clear view of the sky to get a connection, so no calling from indoors. The phone doesn't receive signals unless the antenna is extended. Calling from inside a vehicle may not work, either. (Sounds like the phone needs the option of an in-vehicle antenna.) The phone's charger for mains power is big and bulky. And the phone can receive text messages, but can't send them.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/16/spot-global-phone-review/
