Inmarsat mini- M
Mini-M provides a voice, fax and data service allowing users to receive telephone calls, e-mails and fax messages from on board the yacht. Likewise those on shore can merely pick up the telephone and dial you; send a normal e-mail; or send a fax to the yacht. Users should be aware that transmission speeds are very slow, 9.6kps for e-mail or Internet.

Due to the concentrated satellite coverage required, mini-M is not a truly global service, however the gaps are very small and in very remote locations. Although mini-M does not form part of the GMDSS safety system, the telephone could be used in a distress situation. Unlike sat-C, weather information is not broadcast to users, however the mini-M can of course be used to access e-mail and the Internet providing a source of weather. A permanent fixed antenna is required so the terminal cannot be used off the boat.

Call charges using mini-M terminals vary depending on the airtime bundles purchased, but bills will be expensive for telephone calls and emails set from the middle of an ocean.

Iridium Global Telephone
Iridium provides a voice, fax and data service allowing users to receive telephone calls, e-mails and text messages from on board the yacht. Likewise those on shore can merely pick up the telephone and dial you; send a normal e-mail; or send a text message to the yacht. Users should be aware that transmission speeds are very slow, 9.6kps for email or Internet.

Iridium is a truly global service and since 2001 has also been able to offer a data service. Iridium handsets are not maritime, requiring the user to be on deck. The full maritime kit with marine antenna, plus telephone docking station, is considerably more expensive, although other solutions are on offer, with a useful small antenna from Marconi for the pushpit.

Airtime charges calling from an Iridium telephone are approximately US$1.50 to a landline, although the cheap handsets are normally offered only if several hundreds of dollars worth of airtime are purchased in advance. A monthly $21.50 connection charge is also applicable. Calling an Iridium telephone can be difficult from some countries, with callers being routed through an expensive USA number, with the mobile handset also being charged to receive the call, very much like the GSM roaming network.

A data kit is required for emailing, at an additional cost of US$250.

Globalstar
Globalstar provides a voice and data service allowing users to receive telephone calls, e-mails on board the yacht. Likewise those on shore can merely pick up the telephone and dial you or send a normal e-mail the yacht. Users should be aware that transmission speeds are very slow, 9.6kps for e-mail or Internet.

Globalstar is not a truly global service and users should consult the Globalstar website for a detailed coverage map. For example areas of the North Atlantic are not covered. The website also details how to change to different ground stations, for example when crossing the Atlantic.

A permanent fixed antenna is required for the Globalstar terminal, so the terminal cannot be used off the boat.

Call charges using Globalstar terminals vary depending on the airtime bundles purchased, but bills will be expensive for telephone calls and emails set from the middle of an ocean.

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