Related Sections: Cellphones
New AT&T satellite phone will keep you connected when the network's gone
AT&T will launch a 3G cellphone that also connects to a new satellite phone network by the end of this year. Why this satellite phone will succeed where others have failed remains to be seen.
A company called TerreStar is launching its initial telecom satellite in the next month or so, which will cover the U.S., Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It'll be aimed at outdoors types and mariners. Good thing it doesn't cover Mexico, or the drug cartels would have been their best customers (although who knows how much coverage will extend over the border?). When TerreStar launches a second satellite, TerreStar is hoping to interest the government in its service. There aren't any plans to provide global coverage, which may limit its appeal.
The handset is a Windows Mobile 6.1 BlackBerry-type slab with a 2.6-inch touchscreen. Its only a bit thicker than most other slab phones and has no external antenna of any kind, all of which makes this the smallest satellite phone I've seen. Its compactness may make it more salable than previous satellite phones.
The phone, which doesn't have a name or a model number yet, will sell for around $700 to $800 unsubsidized. For satellite calls, expect around 1.5 hours talk time and glacially slow GPRS-like data speeds. Since the satellite hasn't launched yet, I have no idea how it sounds, but the tech guys assure me that since it operates on an IP backbone that you'll get VoIP-like voice quality.
By BurnerFlame at 1:02 PM ON 04/03/09
The cover for South America is for sure, but your comentary about Mexico is a little bit racist, I think. Mexico have more than drug dealers, but maybe you dont know about that...
By ALBEGAO at 3:09 AM ON 04/06/09
I AGREE! THAT IS A RACIST COMMENT! MY GUESS IS AMERICAN POLITICIANS AND CORPORATE "VIP's" ARE GOOD OL HEROES?
By Theoriginalgiga at 10:39 AM ON 04/06/09
@albegao: The author is calling it like he sees it. Don't get your nose all bent out of shape both of you. What's wrong? can't take the stereotype? If you can't take it, don't dish it. Quit assuming all American's are fat, beer swilling honkies that like to watch nascar. some people just sit there and talk smack about Americans but when there's anything slightly a little racist towards you, you cry foul. And all you illegal ppl just want to get over the border to take advantage of the fat Americans because you believe you had such a hard life and deserve it. all you lazy Mexicans are all alike, if not taking naps or trying to run the border, you're working for the drug lords. go bugger off.
/rant
really cool tech. it's nice to see another option than tower geared cell phones, maybe carriers will either tie the two together or compete and help drive costs down.
By LG at 2:26 PM ON 04/06/09
racist? lol you people must walk with a grape between your ass cheeks, stop being so dumb. if stereotypes weren't true to an extent, they wouldn't exist.
By Paul at 9:52 PM ON 04/06/09
Hmm, might have a good enough reason to upgrade my tilt. Now I might actually be able to go out into the mountains and worry a little less about having something go wrong.
By Jim at 7:49 PM ON 09/30/09
Mexicans are the worst possible people in the world. I am glad they are not offering you their service down there. Whats it matter anyway your all in the states anyway... illegal.
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