What Is a Satellite Phone? A satellite phone or satphone is a mobile phone that sends and receives calls using satellites rather than landlines or cellular broadcasting towers. A satellite phone only requires a clear line of sight to the sky. The advantage of a satellite phone is that it can complete calls from anywhere. A satellite phone can operate in the middle of the Sahara desert, at the top of Mount Everest, or from a clearing deep within a South African jungle. It is an indispensable tool for remote excursions of all kinds, and provides solid communication on the seas and in the air. A disadvantage of a satellite phone is a noticeable delay in conversations. The signal must first travel to the satellite , then to an earthbound gateway before being routed to the receiver. The receiver's response will follow the same path in reverse, taking equall...
