FAQ

A recent company called AST SpaceMobile wants to solve this problem by placing enormous antennas in space. This has raised some questions, particularly in light of NASA's concerns over the size of its satellites. Although the company has not been granted an operating license, it is aiming to work with mobile firms like Vodafone. However, it is unclear whether this is really possible. It could take a while before satellite phones reach space, but they will be available to people in the future.

Satellite phones work very similarly to cellular phones. Cellular phones bounce calls off cellular towers and into the existing phone grid, while satellite phones use a series of satellites in orbit to transmit signals. A caller simply enters a number, presses the send key, and the phone locates the nearest orbiting network of satellites and transmits the information. In the case of the former, the call is reflected and received by the other party.

Currently, satellite phone systems fall into two distinct categories. High geostationary orbit system is 35,786 kilometers above the Earth's surface. While low earth orbit systems are 640 to 1,120 kilometers above the surface of the Earth, they have different communication frequencies, so it is important to choose the right one. The system should have the same range as a conventional phone. If it fails to connect, the satellite phone can keep trying until it makes contact with the other party.