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Eulogy for the Satellite Phone
- Satellite phones were essential in areas without cell service or during emergencies when cell towers were down.
- Early satellite phone systems, like Inmarsat's MARISAT, were mainly used for maritime communication in the late 1970s.
- Competing companies like Thuraya, Iridium, and GlobalStar emerged in the late 1990s in the satellite phone market.
- Iridium was known for introducing handheld satellite phones, with the first call made by U.S. Vice President Al Gore in 1998.
- Geosynchronous satellites required specific positioning for coverage while companies like Iridium opted for a constellation of moving satellites.
- Satellite phones faced challenges such as limited coverage in certain regions, indoor signal issues, and high costs.
- Prices for satellite phone services ranged from $7 to $10 per minute initially and later varied based on plans, averaging $50 to $150 per month.
- Satellite phones struggled to gain mass-market popularity due to coverage limitations, high costs, and signal interference.
- As technology advances, traditional satellite phone systems may give way to more accessible options, potentially integrating with regular cell phones.
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