Satellite Phone vs. Cell Phone: Key Differences Explained

Cell phones and satellite phones are both widely used communication devices, but they differ significantly in terms of technology, connectivity, and application. Cell phones rely on terrestrial networks with limited coverage areas, while satellite phones use satellites to establish a direct connection from virtually anywhere on the planet. Understanding these differences is essential for choosing the right device based on location, purpose, and usage requirements. This article explores the key distinctions between satellite phones and cell phones, highlighting their respective advantages, disadvantages, and best use cases.

Satellite Phone: Based on Satellite Networks

A satellite phone, also known as a sat phone, is a mobile communication device that allows users to make or receive calls, send or receive text messages, and access data services via satellites orbiting around the Earth.

Satellite phones connect to a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. When a user initiates a call or sends a message, the signal is transmitted from the satellite phone to the nearest satellite overhead. The satellite receives the signal from the sat phone and transmits it to a ground station on Earth. The ground station functions as a gateway that routes the signal to the appropriate destination, such as another satellite phone, a landline phone, or a cell phone registered on a cellular network.

Image Alt Text: Iridium Satellite Operating Frequencies

Here are some features of satellite phones and their corresponding satellite network system:

• Network Usage: Satellite phones use satellite networks such as Iridium or Inmarsat to dial or receive calls.
• Typical Use Cases: They are mainly used in remote areas such as terrains, deserts, and polar regions, and for aviation and maritime communications.
• Cost: Satellite phones are generally very costly.
• Functionality: They are primarily used for voice and text messages. Internet services are planned for the future due to the launch of new satellites in the “Iridium NEXT” constellation. Dual-mode handsets provide both cellular (e.g., GSM) and satellite connectivity.
• Connectivity: Call drops due to handover are not an issue due to global coverage with one unique single number and SIM. This makes them a great option for frequent travelers on business trips. They are also used in maritime communication, defense, and disaster rescue operations.
• Service Provider Benefits: Currently, satellite phones don’t offer much benefit to service providers. However, with the launch and installation of Iridium NEXT satellites, more advanced features will be available. These will include aviation services, enabling airplanes to provide their location to earth stations or gateways, and internet services for maritime communication.
• Network Installation: Installation of a satellite network is complex and requires more resources and time. A satellite network consists of a satellite phone, 66 LEO satellites, and Earth stations or ground stations or gateways.
• Maintenance: Maintenance of a satellite system is complex and more costly.
• Ease of Use: It will take time for satellite phones to be used by more people, as it requires learning or familiarity with the workings of the satellite system. Education is needed to impart this knowledge.
• Bandwidth: Satellite bandwidth is a scarce resource. Hence, less bandwidth is available for satellite phone users, resulting in a lower achievable data rate.

Cell Phone or Mobile Phone: Based on Cellular Networks

Cellular mobile phones operate on cellular networks consisting of a network of cell towers or base stations on the ground. These cell towers support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as GSM, CDMA/UMTS, 4G LTE, and 5G NR at different frequency bands. These cell towers are installed relatively closer to the cell phone users compared to satellites.

When a user initiates a call, the cell phone sends a signal to the nearest cell tower or base station. This signal is relayed to the mobile switching center (MSC) or base station controller (BSC). The MSC is the central hub of the cellular network, which manages call routing and other network functions. The call is then routed to the recipient’s network, and a two-way voice channel is established when the recipient answers.

Image Alt Text: Cellular Network

Here are some features of cell phones and their corresponding cellular mobile network system:

• Network Usage: Mobile phones use cellular networks such as GSM, CDMA, and LTE to dial or receive calls.
• Typical Use Cases: Mobile phones are mainly used in city areas where there are larger populations.
• Cost: Mobile phones are very cheap, and many options are available to purchase.
• Functionality: Internet services and other advanced features for high data rate applications are already available in cellular networks. They are used for voice, data-based apps, SMS, MMS, VOIP, and more.
• Connectivity: Call drops due to handover are a big concern while traveling and moving from network to network. It often requires a new SIM and even a new mobile phone to be purchased in different countries, depending on the availability of cellular network types such as GSM (i.e., 2G), CDMA (i.e., 3G), LTE (i.e., 4G), or LTE advanced.
• Service Provider Benefits: Cellular networks offer major benefits to telecom service providers due to the high population density as target users of the cellular services.
• Network Installation: Installation of a cellular network is easy and requires fewer resources and less time. A cellular network consists of a mobile phone, a Base station (i.e., BTS), and cellular infrastructure (MSC, PSTN, ISDN, PSDN, Wi-Fi interface, etc.).
• Maintenance: Maintenance of a cellular system is simple and less costly.
• Ease of Use: Mobile phones have already penetrated the market and are used by a huge population across the world. People have become familiar with the use of mobile phones and cellular systems. Moreover, many technicians are available in almost every street of developed and developing countries.
• Bandwidth: Bandwidth in cellular networks is not a concern due to advanced multiple access and modulation techniques such as MIMO, OFDM, and OFDMA. Hence, high bandwidth and consequently high data rates can be achieved easily.

Comparing Satellite Phones vs. Cell Phones

The following table highlights the differences between satellite phones and cell phones with respect to various parameters:

Conclusion

Both satellite phones and cell phones offer unique benefits in their specific usage applications. The choice between a cell phone and a satellite phone depends on the user’s specific needs and the intended usage scenario. Satellite phones are invaluable for communication in remote or disaster-afflicted areas with no cellular coverage, whereas cell phones excel in areas with an established cellular network.