Ten years ago cells phones were where satellite phones are today. I think phones that can be used anywhere in the world would be of interest to some.

Are satellite phones a monthly service or are they a one-time purchase? I know that sounds stupid, but I've never really looked into satellite phones, just admired the one on Jurassic Park that still worked after going through dino-doo-doo... ;-)

They have different plans just like cell phones. They can be rented or purchased. They have North American plans with worldwide roaming and worldwide plans. I only know what I have read.

In a very short time cell phones have gone from car mounted and prohibitively expensive to three inch carry around; free for two months with twenty minutes.

I see satellite phones following that pattern. Technology is going forward exponentially.

That would be great. I was looking up Satellite phones a week ago, and they have gotten much smaller than the huge ones in recent movies. They are very expensive though.

I never go anywhere so it would not be a useful item for me to have. If I was filthy rich, I'd get one just to have it. The phones now look really nice, and mostly like high-end cell phones.

I remember seeing in the movie 'American Psycho' the man and his friends were sitting around some place yakking on their cell phones, and they were those really giant sized ones that look like old big walky-talky's.

If those hikers on Mount Hood had a satellite phone they would have been found. If you go deep sea fishing you don't have to go very far off shore to lose cell service. The phones I have seen are not much bigger than the cell phones of a few years ago.

I am thinking about renting one just to check it out. They can be used as a modem on a laptop; something I have yet to be able to do with a TracFone.

I never go anywhere, but if I did go mountain climbing or deep sea fishing, I would want one to have in case something happened and help need to be called.

I see where you would want one too.

These phones look nice and sturdy.

Satellite Discount Store

One must bargain hunt, how about
Globalstar doesn't have worldwide coverage but is much cheaper, $29.99 a month and $1.49 a minute from the home calling area. I you plain on climbing Mount Hood you can rent one for $39.99 a week.

True, but as adventurous as ever I get is going up the hill in the park a mile from my house. My Tracfone will be good enough for me there.

But I will keep that in mind if I ever do anything more daring than that.

There prices are really high. $40 almost just to have service!

I wonder when I'm going to get wireless here...then I can skip using my cell phone and just by a wireless skype phone!