Satphone deal ?

Submitted: Friday, Apr 23, 2021 at 12:20

ThreadID: 141574 Views:6975 Replies:11 FollowUps:6

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Member - Wildmax

Hi,
We're looking for a new deal for 6 months for our Iridium Satphone for this year's travels.....but the best we can find in research so far is a 24-month contract with Pivotel which would cost around $1200.
Has anyone got any suggestions for a something at a reasonable price and with a more realistic timeframe.
Thanks

Wildmax
2018 Hilux and Black Wolf 210 tent - for the outback tracks less travelled
Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Reply By: Member - Steve R (NSW) - Friday, Apr 23, 2021 at 14:41

Friday, Apr 23, 2021 at 14:41

Hi Wildmax. Try TR Telecom. I’ve used them a few times. Great customer service.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond

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Reply By: aussiedingo (River Rina) - Friday, Apr 23, 2021 at 21:48

Friday, Apr 23, 2021 at 21:48

Just put your Telstra sim in when needed, with International roaming turned on! no calls = no cost..

"the only thing constant in my life is change"

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Follow Up By: Member BarryG - Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 at 12:01

Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 at 12:01

Yes, aussiedingo, I can confirm that works. But, all calls (in AND out) cost you over $4/minute. That is a small price to pay in an emergency, but a bit expensive for day-to-day use.
Barry

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 at 12:12

Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 at 12:12

Give this guy a call. I gave up on Telstra.

He will rent SIMs only I am sure he will be reasonably priced.

I rented a SIM for a short period and it was well priced.

https://www.ozsatelliterentals.com.au/

Tony

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Reply By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 at 12:13

Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 at 12:13

Someone posted this link to the trtelecom iridium plan on a previous sat phone thread. It's $50/month for a 6 month plan.

Trtelecom iridium

I haven't used it myself, but someone else here may be able to comment.

Lake Eyre 2011

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Reply By: Member - willawa - Sunday, Apr 25, 2021 at 07:58

Sunday, Apr 25, 2021 at 07:58

Hi Wildmax
I may be a little late but have you tried Satellite Phone Sales in WA
Have used them for several years
cheersED

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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Sunday, Apr 25, 2021 at 14:08

Sunday, Apr 25, 2021 at 14:08

Thanks everyone for your response on this. The resident communications expert (a.k.a SWMBO) is following up on some of the leads as part of our trip prep.
All the best

Wildmax
2018 Hilux and Black Wolf 210 tent - for the outback tracks less travelled
Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Reply By: Member - Rude - Thursday, Apr 29, 2021 at 11:44

Thursday, Apr 29, 2021 at 11:44

Hi Wildmax,

Any update you can share on your sat phone plan search. I am in the same position.

Thanks

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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 22:21

Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 22:21

Hi Rude,
We already have an Iridium handset, purchased second hand a few years back. We had a Pivotel plan for a couple of years but it was fairly expensive and locked you in.
Research so far is showing a basic Telstra plan is looking the best where we can get a 12 month contract but the penalty for opting out earlier is not high.
We only need the satphone for dire emergencies, in which case the call cost is not a great concern.
Cheers,

Wildmax
2018 Hilux and Black Wolf 210 tent - for the outback tracks less travelled
Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, Apr 29, 2021 at 17:16

Thursday, Apr 29, 2021 at 17:16

Will post an update when we get this sorted in the next couple of weeks....still researching at this stage

Wildmax
2018 Hilux and Black Wolf 210 tent - for the outback tracks less travelled
Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Reply By: Lurchwa - Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 21:12

Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 21:12

Pivotel do some good plans depending on what you want to spend and wether your prepared to sign for terms or not.
We bought an Iridium off gumtree for 500 and have put it on a 60 per month plan. Call costs etc seem to be the most reasonable on this plan though we do need to use it a fair bit as I need to be in phone contact for business reasons. I have spoken to others that are paying 15 or 20 and the call cost is very high but I suppose its pretty cheap if your stuck

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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 21:33

Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 21:33

You can probably write yours off as a business expense, probably like your vehicle - a luxury we retirees don't have access to.

Pivotel's plans for the casual user are too expensive for many.

FrankP

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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 22:16

Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 22:16

Thanks Lurchwa. We also have an Iridium, and yes, we've looked at Pivotel, and that is the deal we had for two years in 2018/19 (and of course no need last year). But as Frank says, it is a very expensive commitment and we are after a low monthly charge and shorter term. Don't really mind about call charges - because it will be used only in a dire emergency, in conjunction with the EPIRB.
All the best.

Wildmax
2018 Hilux and Black Wolf 210 tent - for the outback tracks less travelled
Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Reply By: Member - Rude - Friday, May 07, 2021 at 00:47

Friday, May 07, 2021 at 00:47

Hi Wildmax

I purchased a Telstra post paid contract plan for $45per month ( can cancel any time no penalty) with 30 minutes international call credit.
I can ring mobiles and house landline but having trouble with a mobile or landline ringing the Iridium phone. Maybe not using the correct access codes !
Can anybody advise.
No idea what the call costs are.

Thanks

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Follow Up By: Zippo - Friday, May 07, 2021 at 17:13

Friday, May 07, 2021 at 17:13

There shouldn't need to be any "access codes" unless telstra sucked you in to buying a "satphone plan".

Tell us what satphone number you are trying to call (xxx the last three digits for obvious reasons) and we may be able to advise.

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Reply By: Member - Rude - Friday, May 07, 2021 at 22:22

Friday, May 07, 2021 at 22:22

Hi Zippo

No Telstra sat phone plan. Just a post paid monthly plan which I can cancel any time .

Sat phone number - 0448693xxx
Tried these number combos

+
0011
+61

Thanks

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