There are several factors that differentiate satellite phones from cell phones. How they work, their utility and cost just to name a few.
Functionality Differences
Cellular phones or cell phones use small stations or towers known as ‘cells’ from which they receive their signals and to which they send signals. As the user moves from one destination to the next, his call or his cellular service is passed on from cell to the next. The mobile handset is thus in continuous connectivity with the different cells of the network provider and the individual can talk on the move. This is thus known as mobile connectivity.
Satellite phones on the other hand, do not use ‘cells’ or towers. They work with satellites orbiting the Earth. These Low Earth Orbiting or LEO satellites receive signals from the satellite phone handsets and send signals to these handsets as required. The satellite phones send signals to the satellite, which passes it on to a gateway. The gateway routes the calls to the receiver. Also, all calls made to the satellite phones are routed via the satellites.
Differences In Area Coverage
Cellular phone companies generally provide network coverage in densely populated areas. Since the companies have to set up ‘cells’ to be able to provide coverage, they need a high number of subscribers to justify setting up the cell. In thinly populated areas or remote areas with difficult terrains, the cost of providing coverage is often more than the expected returns. Hence, while cell phones work great in densely populated areas, they may or may not work in inaccessible locations.
Satellite phones communicate with the LEO satellites and not with any ‘cells’ on Earth. Hence, the coverage provided by satellite phone companies is far greater than that provided by cellular phone companies. Since satellite companies don’t have to set up cells from destination to destination, they offer service in a wider area and some even offer it across the globe.
Usability Differences
Cell phones have become an absolute necessity for practically all urban residents. In fact, a large number of people are opting to have cell phones instead of the traditional landlines. Cell phones are perfect to use while on the move in metropolitan cities. For marketing and sales executives, employees, CEOs, managers, mothers, students and almost all people in different walks of life - cell phones provide a high value service. They are also a great option to surf the net, listen to music and exchange photos. In short, cell phones have become the single all-purpose media electronic instrument of the 21st century.
Satellite phones on the other hand, are perfect for use in remote and thinly populated areas where cellular companies do not provide network coverage. Satellite phones are also extremely handy in situations when cellular networks go down. Such situations generally arise in times of natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and floods when the ‘cells’ that route calls are damaged.
Satellite phones have the advantage in such conditions since natural disasters do not affect the LEO satellites. Hence while cellular phone networks are down, satellite phones continue to function as normal. This has indeed saved many lives in the recent past.
Satellite phones are also the perfect option for companies that have research laboratories or departments in isolated areas like Alaska, Siberia and Antartica. Adventurers who frequently travel to densely populated tropical forests, high mountain areas and across oceans also prefer the better coverage provided by satellite phones.
Differences In Cost
As is to be expected, cellular phones are far cheaper to operate and maintain than satellite phones. The cellular phone handsets as well as the subscription plans offered by cellular service providers are extremely affordable and cost barely a few cents per minute.
Satellite phones on the other hand are expensive. The satellite phone hand sets or the fixed satellite phone sets cost a pretty penny as does the satellite phone service provided by leaders in the industry like Iridium and Globalstar. At an average satellite phones can cost anything from $600 to $1000 with costs going up to $1.50 per minute for talktime.
Thus, cell phones and satellite phones are both a boon to the world of communication and both service users in different ways and under differing conditions
Satellite Phones vs. Cell Phones (Which One is Right for You?)
Spy Matrix Spy Phone: The Ultimate Spy Cell Phone
Perhaps the most advanced portable bug on the market today is the Spy Matrix Spy Phone. This spy cell phone looks just like a regular phone, and it works just like a regular cell phone. The only difference is that is also a bug. This is the ultimate in listening devices. It is the best way to keep track of teenagers or significant others who show signs of straying. And, with a little ingenuity, you can even use this spy cell phone to perform surveillance on acquaintances and strangers.
The spy cell phone is especially helpful when you want to keep track of family members. This is because you can pass it off as a new phone for the family’s new cell phone plan. It is perfect. Give it to teenagers and you can go wherever they go. This Spy Matrix Spy Phone is equipped with a GPS tracker and a special microphone that picks up noises and conversation in its general vicinity. Not only that, but can also allow you to listen in to both ends of the conversation. You can know whether you teen are where she or he is supposed to be, and you can find out, from listening to what is going on in the room, whether there really is a study group.
A secret phone number allow you to activate the spy cell phone without the subject knowing that you have done so. You call the secret number (there is a second real number for regular calling purposes) and the phone quietly turns on and begins giving you access. You can “forget” it in a room or leave it to “charge” and hear what others are saying. This is a device that is also useful when performing professional surveillance for clients. No matter what you want to use the phone for, the spy cell phone is a device that few people would suspect as being a bug — especially since it works just like a normal cell phone in all respects.
Stop wondering what is really going on and find out for sure. When you have the Spy Matrix Spy Phone you do not just have any phone. You have a real, top of the line spy cell phone.
Tones For Your Phones
In ancient times, warriors would decorate their weapons with carvings or jewelry because these weapons became an extension of their lives and an expression of who they were. Today, cellphones are integrating themselves more and more into our lives, becoming an invaluable tool to our work and play. So it is only natural that we decorate our cellphone "weapons" as a form of personal expression and individualization.
There are all kinds of fantastic accessories available to take your cellphone to the next level. After all, why would you want to have exactly the same cell phone that everyone else has, when you can make it uniquely yours?
Boost the Performance factor
You can increase its performance with batteries that last longer than the battery it came with from the factory. These are readily available on the Internet.
If you're on the go and find that your cell phone is dying, you can continue to talk if you have a cellphone charger, which can plug into your car's cigarette lighter. They are very handy, and many cellphones come with one anyway.
If you spent a lot of time in the car, or a lot of time working with your hands, you may need to consider a hands-free attachment. This lets you clip your cell phone to your belt, or lay it beside you on the car seat, and just speak into a microphone and hear through a small earpiece so that you can keep both hands safely on the wheel.
Boost the prettiness factor
Your phone probably came with a gray or silver faceplate, which you can switch to something much more colorful and fun, and appropriate for who you are. Faceplates are available in colors and patterns and textures and can even contain the logo or motif of your favorite band or sports team.
Antennas are available that light up when you get a call, which may not be appropriate in an office setting, but can be a lot of fun when you're hanging out with your friends.
Ring tones are another popular way to customize your cell phone. Ring tones are available for free and for purchase from a variety of companies. Many cellphones can now play different ring tones depending on who is calling. You can select music or find noises or hilarious sounds to make your cellphone stand out from the crowd.
Instead of having the same boring cellphone that everyone else has, why not jazz it up a bit? After all, it's such an important part of your life!
Cell Phone Accessories - Check Them Out
Accessories such a coat, purse, or shoes can either complete or dress up an outfit. Cell phones have almost as many accessories as Barbie does. Accessories can be practical, ornamental, or just available. In the cell phone world there are practical accessories that help you to operate the phone safely and those that allow you to carry it safely.
Some, like downloadable ring tones, are there for you if you want them. I have put accessories into groups to make them easier to describe. There are operational accessories that include battery chargers. Chargers are phone and model specific so that they are not interchangeable.
Hands free kits can be bought that are easily installed in your vehicle. These will let you talk on the phone and keep your hands on the wheel. The signal between your phone and cell tower can be strengthened with the use of antenna boosters. Where there are weak cell phone signals these are really good.
There are specific batteries from your cell phone’s manufacturer and for your specific cell phone. Until you can recharge your cell phone battery there is an attachment that will your weak battery a boost. There are speaker phone kits. Rather than drive with one hand and hold the phone with other, these attachments let you talk on the phone and keep your hands on the wheel.
Place dashboard mountable holders well within arms reach. There are a number of styles of cases and holders. The eyeglass case and horizontal case are alike. Pocket eyeglass cases are similar to vertical cases. Cell phone holsters can be worn across your shoulder like a policeman or on your belt.
Wear multi-use cases on your arm, your wrist, or your thigh. Not only will these cases hold your cell but they will hold your license and a few dollars. These types of cases will hold your cell, your license, and a few bucks. These cases hold your cell phone, your license, and maybe a few bucks.
Velcro(tm) are generally found on these cases. You can find accessories for your cell that are technical in nature. Internal accessories include downloadable ring tones and games to help you pass the time while you are waiting. These ring tones can include holiday songs, the traditional ring, or The William Tell Overture.
Cell phones are little computers that are internet ready, organizers, calendars, note recorders, and to do lists; they are no longer just phones. They now have phone directories, recordings of missed calls so you can return calls later, and they record the identity of callers.
There are antenna boosters that strengthen signals and radiation shields to reduce radiation exposure. Cell phone accessories include covers and face plates. There are front and back pieces to phone covers.
Face plates, some with designs, go over the keypad and the front of the phone. Cell phone accessories include very cute plush animal covers. They are both functional and cute, and the phone goes in the back of the animal. The animal acts as a cushion for the phone in case its ever dropped.
Prices of cell phone accessories and cell phones can vary. Most accessories are optional and some are simply fun. It is important to remember that not all cell phone accessories are interchangeable. You should learn all about your cell phone and how it operates.
Cell Phone Plans, Prepaid & Postpaid Plan
The Best Cell Phone Plans Vary According to The Amount Of Calls You Make. Find Out If A Prepaid or Postpaid Plan Is The Right One For You.
Before buying the first prepaid or postpaid plan you see, it’s better to first find out about the different cell phone plans available. The best way to rate exactly what kind of plan you should have is to think about how much you’ll be making calls on your mobile phone. You also need to monitor the time (hour) that you often make calls. This is because most cell phone plans will be limited to ‘anytime’ minutes which mean that you can make limited calls during peak hours.
When looking at cell phone plans, you will also want to consider the amount of coverage you will get. It is important to know whether the prepaid or postpaid plan that you’re signing up for is local, regional or for nationwide coverage. If you do not travel a lot, then it doesn’t matter. But if you do, then it’s important to know what you’re getting into or you could find yourself paying a high price for ‘roaming’ charges. Take note that the cell phone plans with the best values are the ones that include free long distance calls.
A family plan is also an option when shopping for a cell phone plan. It allows you to share your monthly airtime allowance with additional lines. What’s great about postpaid packages like these is that you’ll be able to make free inter-network calling so you won’t have to pay to talk to your family members.
If you are still unsure of which postpaid plan to get, after reviewing the various cell phone plans available, then you might want to consider the prepaid option. The prepaid plan is best if you don’t have a consistent usage every month. What you do is pay a sum of money upfront and you’ll get a certain amount of time/minutes. When you’ve used up all your minutes, you’ll be able to renew it easily. One of the advantages of having a prepaid plan is that you don’t actually have to sign any contracts, although some telco providers may require you to fill in your details for security purposes. If you are unhappy about the prepaid plan at any time, you can terminate the prepaid plan without any hassles!
The Powerful Little GPS Tracking Device
GPS is one of the newest crazes on the Market today. GPS or global positioning system tracks your locations from a satellite which makes it a popular feature in cars. When you’re on a trip it can also help you find your way around with out getting lost. While GPS tracking can help track your location it also works in another way. You can use GPS tracking to track some ones location.
Cell phones have become something that everyone now carries. Cell phones are becoming more and more technologically advanced with more and more features. One of the newest features on cell phones is GPS. GPS is now available in almost everything from cars to cell phones. Cell phone GPS tracking is the newest feature on many cell phones. Locating someone is a popular job for a lot of detectives and cell phone GPS tracking is one thing that can make this task a lot easier.
Taking advantage of cell phone GPS tracking can help with the location of someone if they should come up lost. Cell phone GPS tracking can track their exact location. This can make locating the lost much faster and more efficient.
Several different kinds of GPS tracking products are available at spyassociates.com. They also offer several different products to meet all of your surveillance needs such as cameras, night vision products, listening devices and many other kinds of products to help get the job done right and prove the case.
LG Cell Phones - Made To Last
LG has been producing top of the line products for quite a while now and their cell phones are no exception. LG cell phones are high on style and features. You owe it to yourself to check out LG cell phones.
Color displays are nice but remember that they drain your phone’s battery rather quickly. The lightweight LG VX4400 cell phone comes with an external LCD with a choice of 7 backlight colors to make your phone more personal. The compact and lightweight clamshell LG VX3160 cell phone is another offering from LG that will get the job done with style. 
A Good Deal to Get the Ring Tones Ringing
Whatever phone you choose, either an LG phone or some other brand, a good cell phone plan is essential. You can get online and type “cell phone plan comparisons” into your search engine and you will get several links to comparison charts of different cell phone carriers. The comparison will show you the costs of phones and different levels of service from each carrier. You can also search by phones - for instance type in “LG cell phone” and you will find phones from different vendors or cell carriers that provide the phone you want. Verizon, Sprint and Cingular provide LG phones to their customers. Verizon offers an LG phone free with the purchase of a specific cellular plan. A variety of ring tones to choose from, seems to be an option desired by many cellular consumers.
There are so many companies today vying for your cell phone business that most offer a variety of special deals on phones, plans and accessories such as hand free car kits (which are required by law in some states, N.Y. being one). You can also get long life batteries, desktop battery chargers, colorful face plates, crystal keypads, cradle style holders, USB data cable kits, car chargers and antenna boosters. Depending on the plan you choose, some of these accessories are free or discounted when you purchase particular cell phone calling plans.
Cell Phone Bugs
There are a couple of different ways that cell phone bugs can be used. There are fairly inexpensive low-tech cell phone bugs, and there are more expensive and much more rewarding, devices that can be used to hear what you need to hear, but that others might try to keep from you.
The first category of cell phone bugs is not really a cell phone at all. It merely looks like a cell phone. It can receive calls, and it will call you automatically, but this phone is not meant to be carried with you. This bug is meant to be “forgotten” or “charging” at the home or office. It plugs into a splitter that shares a phone jack with a regular phone. When a call is made, you can listen in to both ends of the conversation by use of your bug. The bug will even call you when the subject places a call so that you can listen in.
One of the cell phone bugs that require you to take a more active role in listening is a cell phone that is equipped to pick up transmissions by cell phones around it. Cell phone calls are among the easiest to intercept, as the sound is carried on frequencies right through the air. All you have to do is be in the vicinity of your subject and then dial in to your cell phone bug. It looks as though you are talking on your cell phone, but really you are listening in on a conversation.
Finally, the most advanced of cell phone bugs let you listen in, even if you are on the other side of the country — or even the other side of the world. This type of bug works like a regular cell phone. Give it to your subject, and then you can listen in to what she or he is doing whenever you want. The phone has a standard number, that anyone can call, and a secret number that only you know. When you call the secret number, a microphone is activated and you can listen in, not only to conversations held on the phone, but also to what is going on in the same room as the cell phone.
These devices are innocuous and common. They look like what everyone today has and seems to need. You cannot go wrong when you get the information you need using cell phone bugs.
The Razr Family is Expanding! Razr V3i, Pink Razr, Blue Razr, Verizon Razor
Motorola Razr for CDMA Users
Motorola is marketing different phones for men and women. Moto’s newest line of pink and blue Razr offspring seems to assume that there are men who will prefer blue and women who will want the pink one. They’re probably right!
The classic Silver Motorola Razr captured the lion’s share of new cell phone buying over the past year or so, causing Motorola to encroach on Nokia’s enviable leading position.
Motorola is planning to cash in on its huge success with the razor thin look and feel of the original Razr v3. The NPD Group, a leading cellular market researcher, found that Motorola cell phone sales accounted for 30% of the 31.6 million cell phones sold in the third quarter of 2005. The Motorola V3i with iTunes software and the Pink and Blue cell phones promise to give Motorola an ever-increasing share of the cell phone market.
People who care about how they look or want to make a statement, will be the first to get their Motorola Razr fix. These Razr thin phones are ceating a lot of attention - making them must-haves in some circles.
Mazal Tov!The Motorola Razor family is growing by four new members; Motorola RAZR Pink (RAZR PNK?) and Razr Blue, (RAZR BLU?) plus two new versions - Motorola CDMA RAZR for Verizon with EVDO and Motorola RAZR V3i (with iTunes). The new Razr phones include all the great features as the original models. The Blue and Pink versions are really style updates designed to make your cell phone an accessory - like a stylish watch.
The new CDMA version of Razr (for Verizon) will satisfy the appetite of Verizon Wireless subscribers who have long ogled over Cingular and T-Mobile’s Razr offerings. The Razr V3i aims to redeem Motorola’s slightly tarnished reputation when it comes to MP3 phones. Unlike the Rocker which had only music going for it, with the Razr V3i the MP3 capability is essentially an add-on.
The Motorola has not made a statement about the chosen carrier for the Motorola v3i many are speculating that Cingular is the choice. Besides being Razr thin like the original Razr v3 the new v3i has added appeal with the inclusion of the Apple i-Tunes software like on the Motorola ROKR released in September in by Cingular, Apple and Motorola. Cingular just slashed the price of the Motorola ROKR by 40% and several leading cell phone dealers like AmericanCell and YouNeverCall now have the Motorola phone available for free with the purchase of a new Cingular plan.
Until now the Motorola Rokr is the only cell phone around that plays tunes from the iTunes Music Store. Another new addition to the ever increasing Motorola Razr family is new Razr VC which operates on networks of CDMA standard wireless EVDO. Christmas holiday season shopping has now been enhanced with the inclusion of the Razr V3i which sports a 1.23-megapixel digital camera with 8x digital zoom, video capture and a full-screen viewfinder.
Additional features include a hot plugging memory card, a display with sixty-five K color support and built-in Bluetooth. For the late summer-early fall season Motorola earned a profit of $1.75 billion on revenue of $9.42 billion. Motorola stated that its monetary gains for this period were all due to the tremendous success of the Motorola Razr v3. Now Motorola is hoping to further push its financial gains for the next quarter! We’ll wait and see.
Personal Tracking Devices In Cell Phones?
Cell phones have come a long way – regardless of whether you’re a business person or stay-at-home mom, having a cell phone with you is no longer a privilege – it’s a NECESSITY. In this modern technology age, the cell phone has progressed from being just your average communication device. The cell phone is now also a personal organizer, diary, calculator, timer, alarm clock, emailing device, faxing equipment, news reporter, etc.
In times of emergency, a cell phone can and will definitely prove to be a life-saver and 14-year-old Kelly Emerson can attest to that. Getting lost in a jungle is no fun for the teen. But thanks to her careful and wary mom, Kelly took a cell phone with her and when she got lost in the jungle, the cell phone she had with her saved her life. Within 3 hours, they found her hanging to her cell phone and praying. Wet, crying, hungry – but safe!
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently suggested that communication companies work harder to incorporate a location pinpointing device and technology on cell phones so that call receivers can check the location of the caller in times of emergency. For people like Kelly Emerson, the cell phone saved her life – but with an advancement of technology, the caller or owner of the cell phone may not even need to be awake or conscious in order for others to detect their location. Well, there are pros and cons to that kind of technology, and currently, this recommendation has come under fire and is under a lot of debate today. People are not keen on turning their cell phones into personal tracking devices because of very obvious reasons – it’s a form of intrusion into their personal lives. And instead of saving lives, cell phones with this ability may even become a threat. Let’s say, a murderous husband is trying to track down a runaway wife and is able to detect her location via her cell phone.
While individuals are quite confused about this new cell phone technology, large corporations are more than happy to welcome this new cell phone technological advancement. Imagine…with this personal tracking device installed into their customers’ cell phones, companies can locate the customers via their cell phones. If the customer is within the vicinity of their outlet, they can instantly send messages or make calls to that customer!
However, telecommunication companies are stumped on whether this new cell phone feature should be incorporated into future cell phones. Like the Internet, privacy is a huge problem. Personal information is big in the data-mining business, but so is privacy.
We’ll just have to see how far cell phone companies are willing to go to make their bucks!
Cell Phone Shopping, Buy Mobile Phones
It’s Time To Go Cell Phone Shopping! Find Out How To Buy Mobile Phones And Why Online Shopping Is A Good Option.
The best way to go cell phone shopping is to do it online. Log on, find a quality cell phone search engine and start looking. Whether or not you choose to actually buy the phone online is a different story, but researching for mobile phones is always best done online.
When you’re cell phone shopping, the important thing that you must remember is to compare the mobile phones. Don’t just look and compare the prices, but compare phone features, ratings and even reviews. All these will help you decide which cell phone you should buy.
Before you can start shopping for a cell phone, you have to first ask yourself - what kind of phone am I looking for? Learn about the types of features and functions cell phones have and find out which mobile phones have the kind of features that you like. Also take into consideration how much chatting you intend to do with your phone and pay attention when reviewers highlight the cell phone’s battery life. All these questions need to be answered before you buy your mobile phone.
Once you’re done cell phone shopping, you might want to consider ordering online. Apart from a wide selection of cell phones for you to browse through, you can also get some of the best deals online. You can actually get cheap cell phones online because there is no dealer charge. So now that you know how to go about cell phone shopping, get to it! Buying mobile phones has never been easier with online shopping.
Choosing a Cell Phone
Considering the innumerable varieties of cell phones in the market, it is quite a challenging task to choose the best one. However, the basic criterion of selecting the best cell phone is to be absolutely clear about what your needs are. The best cellular phone is the one that is absolutely right for you. And, of course, you can only have the best cellular phone when you pay for what you want.
Tons of offers are also available. There are free cellular telephone offers, prepaid cellular, digital, mobile, web enabled and many more. No one can tell you which cell phone is best for you because every one has different needs when it comes to their cellular telephone. Some people want absolutely basic features while others want a lot of totally fantastic features. Some need a cellular telephone for e-mail, faxing and surfing the Internet. Many people want it to be top of the line while others prefer simplicity.
The process of buying a cell phone is so confusing. There are simply so many different handsets, networks, deals and call costs to consider that buying the right phone for your usage and budget can be very difficult.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the best cell phone. First of all, decide how much you want to spend and be clear on the features you need. Remember that the more the features, the higher the cost.
Purchase a battery with a decent battery life and judge the mobile phone by the talk time it gives. The bare minimum should be 2 hours of maximum talk-time plus 90 hours of maximum standby time.
Shop and compare for pricing and service. These days, quality phones are very cheap. There is a proliferation of cell phone makers including Nokia, Motorola, Ericson, Siemens, Samsung, Sony, etc. More importantly, cellular plans have come down enormously in overall price with some caveats.
Some standard features include caller ID, phone book with fast dial, call waiting, voice mail and auto-answering. Some also have other added features like your first incoming minute free. The high-end cell phones will have voice-a ctivated dialing, SMS, 2-way paging, games, scheduling calendars, digital organizer and all the standard features. The main thing is to see what fits into your life style best and also to be sure when and if the features expire.
While making a cell phone and service plan decision, remember that everybody's needs are different. So what's good for your friend may not be the best choice for you. Your best bet would be to search online for websites with good cell phone comparisons in order to get a quality cell phone offer.
To make sure that your cell phone comparisons are complete look at Nokia cell phones, Ericsson cell phones, Sprint cell phones, Motorola cell phones and Samsung cell phones. Research the different free cell phone offers, prepaid cell phones and service plans from brand names like AT
Will Your Cell Phone Reach 911 in an Emergency?
Ten years ago, cell phones were just beginning to appear. Today, it seems every person on the street has one. However, not all cell phones are equal. How do you find the best one?
Ask yourself what qualities are important to you. First, the physical aspects. Do you prefer flat cell phones or those with a flip? Are slim cell phones more attractive, or does size really matter?
Cell phones seem to come in all shapes and sizes, and color can also be a determining factor. Have you seen the changeable covers? Who knew cell phones would become such a fashion statement?
A critical factor to consider is ring tones. Some cell phones come with standard rings that could drive anyone crazy. Others have downloadable tones, letting you show off your taste and personality. If you've ever been on a crowded train where six cell phones started ringing at once, you know how important it is to have the pleasant ring tone. No one wants to draw negative attention.
Cell phones have all sorts of new features, and they keep improving. Some cell phones allow you to take pictures. Other cell phones give you internet access on the road. And like most technology, there are new improvements made on a weekly basis. Remember that you'll be paying for these features; make sure you'll use them before you spend the money.
Manufacturers of cell phones have done extensive research to find out what is important to you, the buyer. The carrier, though, is also important to consider. What good are cell phones, after all, if you can't get service? Find out who in your area has the widest service and the best rate plan.
Most of us have become spoiled by our cell phones. It's hard to remember the days when no one could reach you until you got home from class or from work. Cell phones have opened up our lines of communication considerably. (Sometimes it's questionable whether that's a good thing….) The fact is, it looks like cell phones are here to stay. Is it possible anymore to escape? Of course! The best thing about cell phones is that you can use them when you need them, but sometimes the best cell phones are the ones that are turned off.
