Has anyone used a sat phone with internet access or the sat modem?

No answers for you Stuart and Gunny; just questions.

The XT Dual phone is dual GSM and satellite and I cannot ascertain from the Indigo website if internet connection is only whilst in GSM range, or whether you have satellite coverage internet as well. If the latter, I expect that downloads would come at a price :O

Motherhen

Hi Stuart and Gunny
You won't be able to go with Indigo, as they have gone broke, and were taken over by AST in December 2012. We signed up with Indigo about 6-8 months ago, and have recently transferred our plan over to AST (Applied Satellite Technology), who run their network through Optus.

We didn't get the handset with GSM capacity, only satellite and internet, as we figured with 2 mobile phones with 4G connection and a 40 channel UHF, GSM wasn't necessary. The handset is the Thuraya XT. Quite clunky as far as phones go, but a lot smaller than the Telstra handset that my parents purchased a few years back, and very easy to use - just like the original mobile phones!

We've used it twice since we've had it, not for internet access (haven't worked that one out yet). I think we plug it into the laptop to use as a modem. We purchased the handset outright at $999 less rebate, and are on a $29/mth casual plan. Indigo offered $20/mth (higher call costs), which is one of the reasons we chose them, but at the end of the day, it's a safety measure for when we're in the bush, so cost isn't the total factor.

Telstra were too expensive, both to buy and their plans/contracts. Indigo/AST offer the casual plan with no locked-in contract. We can cancel, upgrade etc as we need to.

If you want more information on the call costs, plans etc, let me know and I'll scan and email the details.

Hope this helps
Kym

Stuart and Gunny

I haven't done it yet but its on my list of projects (sadly longer than my forecast life expectancy). I have a 9505A with a Bury cradle which has the serial cable attached ready to plug into computer. My satellite provider is TR Telecom.

This link has all the info required on how to do it, and the necessary software.

http://www.roadpost.com/iridium_software_downloads.aspx

Bob

Satellite internet connection. What next?

This "need" and almost unending search for more and faster ways to remain "connected" or to be in range of the internet, emails and mobile phone reminds me so much of the Borg from the Star Trek movies and TV shows. A Borg member, for want of a term, was at a total loss and had no real aim in life without the link to the Borg. Just a useless body who only had one aim, to be "reconnected". I hope we are not heading that way.

I don't know how many think the same but we go bush to get away from the rush and bustle of city/populated places. Why take it with you!

Phil