The world has gone through some pretty devastating emergencies in the past, from natural disasters to now, a pandemic. When we look to the future, satellite phones can pose a solution during these critical times that will surely impact us again in the future.
How a Satellite Phone and Internet Can Help During Disasters
A satphone or internet isn’t only necessary for emergency responders. While it’s nice to have backup communications, especially if you will be out of reach for days, they are also invaluable during emergencies.
Natural Disasters and Emergencies
If you live in a part of the world where disasters don’t usually strike, then you should consider yourself lucky. But for those who live in middle America with the potential of tornadoes or down near Florida where hurricanes hit, or maybe even where in areas with flash flood warnings [1] you may be singing a different tune.
Whether you are a company struggling to keep communications going or looking for loved ones after the fact, satellite phones, and the internet can definitely help guide you to the people you are looking for.
This is especially true when emergency evacuations are conducted. This happens when a city receives a prior warning before the actual disaster hits. If you have seen any sort of disaster movie, you will know that crowds that may even cause stampedes are an easy way to lose track of each other.
If you are an emergency responder, you will know that those working at the front lines will reply mostly if not solely on these devices. Rescuers need a way to communicate when phone lines and cell towers are down.
If you have a satellite phone, it’s also easier for you to reach out to emergency responders if you need assistance.
Being Caught Outside or Lost
As we previously touched upon, you may be caught outside in a storm. Or perhaps some sort of disaster strikes and someone gets hurt on your rescue mission but cell service fails you. These are all what-if situations that can be rectified with a satellite phone.
It’s easy for natural disasters or even manmade disasters to knock out communications. Luckily, satellite phones don’t rely on the traditional cell towers to get a signal out.
In all the above-mentioned cases, if you need to get in touch with emergency services such as the fire department, police department, and other relevant organizations, a satellite phone can provide the means.
When You Venture into the Wilderness
This point also ties into the above point. If you are an emergency responder and venture off the beaten path, then having a satellite phone is a smart move just to give you that extra level of safety.
Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it also affords your loved ones the same luxury to know that they will never lose touch with you no matter where you decide to go.
Satellite phones and internet can also cover you when you are sailing on the ocean. Emergency rescues can sometimes happen on the vast ocean, but you can still keep in close contact with those that you love and give them daily updates.
More Coverage
While we will take a look at why satellite phones are better in case of emergencies, we will talk about it slightly with this next point. A satellite phone works on a satellite connection and satellites orbit the globe.
With the right phone and right plan, you will be able to be covered almost anywhere. We say almost because some phones and plans have a harder time covering you in the polar regions.
However, for most areas whether you are headed up a tall mountain or headed down into a gorge for a rescue, if you have a clear line of sight of the sky, it’s more than likely that you can enjoy uninterrupted communications.
You will no longer find yourself reaching your phone high into the sky in the hopes of getting a single bar on your cell phone. Gone are the troubles of getting no service. With a satellite phone, you can stay connected no matter where you are.
It’s Easy
A big perk of using a satellite phone is the ease of use. Anyone can learn how to use a satellite phone in the sense that it’s very similar to the smartphones that we are used to.
Just in case the option you choose is less than intuitive, most if not all satellite phones also come with a manual to guide you. Not only that, the satellite phone should also come with all the necessities in the box so you can set it up and use it within minutes.
Getting a satellite phone is easy as well. There are tons available online and different plan options available for you to find the right one that suits your circumstances. Since the interface is so easy to use, you won’t find yourself fumbling with a difficult gadget when you need it most.
If you are caught in a flood or a storm, the last thing you want to be doing is figuring out how to work the only device that can get an SOS signal out. You want it to be easy, with just a few presses of the buttons. In emergencies, mere seconds can make all the difference in the end result.
Send and Receive Real-Time Updates
Not only can you get the word out with satellite phones, but you can receive critical details too. In war-torn countries, alerting your loved ones or fellow troops about where and when potential dangers will befall them is a great benefit to having a satellite phone.
When caught in natural disasters, you need to know where and when to evacuate an area and where the safety zone is located. Situations may be different in different areas, which is why all those using satellite phones can contribute relevant information.
Many models of satellite phones also boast the ability to receive weather channel updates. This handy feature can potentially get you out of harm’s way before disaster strikes.
In emergencies, knowing your next move and determining the next step is dependent on a variety of factors. One of the factors is getting real-time updates and information. This is possible if you are connected to official channels or in touch with officials.
All of this is possible to keep you and your family safe if you purchase the right satellite phone and plan. You can also help others along the way by alerting authorities about what you know.
How It Works
Why are satellite phones great for emergencies? It’s not enough just to take our word for it. We also have some facts to back up why they are the optimal tool to have during disasters.
They reach farther than cell phones and that is possible because they operate on satellite connections. There are two types of satellites that satellite phones and the internet can connect to.
The first one we have is GEO (geosynchronous) satellites, and the other is LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites. Each one has its pros and cons. So before you can go out and find a plan that’s right for you, we suggest looking into which connection you want.
Here is a quick breakdown for you:
GEO Satellites – GEO satellites are much much larger, which is why there are fewer numbers orbiting the earth. They also follow the Earth’s orbit, which makes them seem as if they are in fixed positions.
Since they are so large and have very wide coverage, they can handle larger amounts of data. This means that when you take your satellite phone with you during emergencies, it’s more likely you will get through with no lag time.
However, since they are fewer in number, it’s also easier for the network to go down when just one of these GEO satellites malfunction. They are also the satellites we were referring to before that don’t have much coverage of the poles.
Again, being few and far between you need a direct line of sight to the sky to get the best reception. You may even need to calibrate the antenna to receive better reception as well. During emergency responses, you may not have the time for that.
Another con of using GEO satellites is since they are so large, the device you use would be larger as well (around the size of a laptop). So as you can see, for GEO satellites, the pros are the cons as well.
LEO Satellites – These satellites orbit closer to the Earth. They are much smaller, lighter and they are also much more in number compared to the GEO satellites. Their orbit is also faster, they zoom around the earth providing satellite phone and internet users more reliable connections.
LEO satellites are superior to GEO satellites in the way that they offer even less lag time and they take less battery power from your device. One downside that doesn’t compare to GEO satellites is that LEO satellites aren’t as big so they cannot handle much in terms of data transmission.
This means that if you are thinking about streaming YouTube or an entire show on Netflix – think again. However, for emergency purposes and to save battery, this function may not be needed for most.
Like the GEO satellites, it’s also best for you to have a clear line of sight of the sky if you are on an LEO plan. This holds true to the point that you may need to step outside to make calls if you are in a building. This could pose a problem for some emergency situations.
Let’s say you are caught in a serious flood or tsunami, not stepping outside would be the smart thing to do. On the plus side, LEO satellites are greater in number, which means you will be able to get a connection easily.
Why Satellite Phones and Internet and not Smartphones in Emergencies?
We mentioned the basics about satellite phones operating with satellite connection and smartphones rely on cell towers. In times of disasters, cell towers are easily knocked out and power outages may be frequent. This is when a satellite phone and/or internet offers more benefits.
Smartphones are much more versatile and can be used for a variety of functions. Up until lately, satellite phones could only carry out the most basic voice call functions. Now we are seeing new and innovative designs that allow for text messages and hotspot access.
Satellite phones blow smartphones out of the water in terms of reliability when situations hit the fan. That is why it’s a good idea for everyone who can afford it to prepare satellite internet and phones in their emergency plans.
Speaking of cost, satellite phone plans do cost a lot more than regular cell service. However, in a situation where there is no other way to ensure communication, the cost of the plan will be the last thing on your mind.
There are certain models of satellite phones that can use cell towers when available and switch to satellite connection when signals are weak or non-existent. These are the satellite phones that can really come in handy in emergencies.
Satellite phones are also built to be more rugged and ready for the outdoors. Even if you did have cell service, there are different types of disasters that can harm the hardware of your phone before you can even get a call out.
Satellite phones are robust and can be waterproof, dustproof, and withstand the impact that regular smartphones cannot.
Conclusion
Satellite phones were considered ancient and expensive. However, they are arguably more advanced technology now that can surpass the functions of regular smartphones. If you live in a war-torn area, are part of a search and rescue team or natural disasters just tend to find their way into your local area, then you need a satellite phone.
Determine which category you call under to decide which satellites you want to connect to. They provide a wider coverage than smartphones and some satellite phones can even use cell towers until they are out of range. A satellite phone is a precautionary tool everyone should have if they are often met with emergencies and disasters.
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