Call a Satellite Phone
Satellite telephones are typically used by business leaders working in international areas. People who are vacationing overseas also purchase and use the telephones. Companies that rent and sell the communication devices include Global Star, ExplorOz and Mackay Satellite. A key benefit of the telephones is that they can be used while out to sea on a cruise ship or other sailing equipment.
Instructions
1. Call your international dialing code (see Resources). Note that for North America the code is 011.
2. Dial the telephone service provider prefix. For example, if you are calling an Iridium satellite telephone, you would dial prefix 8816. Telephone the person's specific eight-digit number. For example, if you are calling a eight-digit Iridium number of 5555-1234 from North America, you would dial 011-8816-5555-1234. As the originator of the call you would be assessed the international connection charges, which can range from $2 to $7 per minute, depending on where you are calling from and to.
3. Connect to the gateway. Use a land line or cell phone. Dial the service provider's global satellite network. For example, for Iridium you would call 1-480-768-2500. Listen to the recording that welcomes you to the global network. Input the 12-digit satellite telephone number that you wish to connect to. Keep in mind that the call can go through only if the receiver's satellite telephone is turned on and locked to the satellite signal.
4. For all calls initiated by you, you will incur long-distance charges, but no cost is assessed to you or the receiver for calls that do not go through.
