If you are just cruising around the harbor then chances are you can get by with a mere cell phone, but if you leave sight of the shore, do some sport fishing, or serious cruising – you’ll need a satellite phone system for your vessel. Indeed, this is something you must take seriously, that is if you value your life and you prefer sailing or cruising with a safety net. so, let’s talk about the Marine KVH TracPhone FB150, which runs off the Inmarsat Satellite communication system.
First, let’s start with the realization that this is indeed a class act system, and you don’t have to worry about the challenges that we normally face with dropping calls on our cellular phones running through the 3G networks of Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. the TracPhone FB150 is a true broadband data service and communication device. the phone system works through Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband Service plan. It is the ideal system for boats and vessels of 40-feet and up. I say that because this system is not free or cheap to purchase and install.
Inmarsat’s newest 1-4 satellite constellation system is state-of-the-art meaning it’s going to be around for the next 10-years or so, unless with get the solar flare from hell. the voice is really crystal clear in all regards. if you can afford it, you should have one. if not, and if you want to save money, the next baset choice would be to rely on your smart cell phone, perhaps, a Blackberry, iPhone, or Google Nexus One running on preferably the new 4G network, or perhaps, the older 3G network.
In that case you can find great cell phone calling plans for your smart phone and data device online by shopping around and then get that service through one of the major carriers such as Alltel, Nextel, Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T. It is also advised to shop for the best price and know how much each phone is actually worth – otherwise some cell phone stores will hide the price in the 2-year lock-in service plan. It’s easy to get bundled to the point of no-return, and realize these technological advances are not stopping here.
Next year, you might want the latest cool smart phone, but you’ll already be locked in to the one you have with the service plan you have, which may not be compatible to your current program. Please be careful when shopping around, as sometimes the plans, and all the options can get tricky, so think on this.