Satellite phone airtime
Compare prepaid, monthly and rental plans for every major satellite phone network. Find the right coverage for where you operate, then order online or let our team activate your SIM.
Plans starting at$12.00per month
Overview
A satellite phone plan is the airtime that connects your satellite phone to its satellite network. Each phone works on one network (Iridium, Inmarsat or Thuraya) and needs a SIM card and plan from that same network.
Choose the network by coverage, then the plan by usage: prepaid minutes for occasional use, a monthly plan for regular calls, or a rental for a single trip.
In short: Iridium plans start at $72.00 per month or $197.00 prepaid, Inmarsat IsatPhone plans at $82.80 per month or $180.00 prepaid, and Thuraya plans at $12.00 per month or $81.07 prepaid. Rentals start at $210.00 per week.
Compare networks
The right satellite phone plan starts with the right network. Coverage is the first question: where will you use the phone?
LEO network, 66 cross-linked satellites
Geostationary (GEO) satellites
Geostationary (GEO) satellites
| Iridium | Inmarsat | Thuraya | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellites | LEO network, 66 cross-linked satellites | Geostationary (GEO) satellites | Geostationary (GEO) satellites |
| Coverage | Global, including oceans and the polar regions | Global, except the extreme polar regions | Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia (not the Americas) |
| Works in the USA | Yes | Yes | No |
| Phones | Iridium Extreme 9575, Iridium 9555, Extreme PTT, Iridium GO! | Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 | Thuraya XT-LITE, XT-PRO DUAL, SkyPhone / Thuraya ONE |
| Monthly plans from | $72.00/month | $82.80/month | $12.00/month |
| Prepaid from | $197.00 (100 min) | $180.00 (100 units) | $81.07 (39 units) |
| Best for | Worldwide travel, maritime, polar and team push-to-talk | Long battery life, clear voice, field teams and emergency kits | Lowest monthly fees within the Thuraya coverage region |
Prices in US dollars from the lowest plan on each plan page. Thuraya monthly price is the maritime Entry plan; land plans start at $58.00/month. Activation fees apply on some plans.
Satellite phone plans
Prepaid, monthly and rental plans for Iridium, Inmarsat and Thuraya satellite phones. Pick a plan to see every price, validity period and order option.
Iridium
Monthly
Monthly minutes and SMS for regular Iridium satellite phone users.
From$72.00/ month
Iridium
No contract
Prepaid minutes valid from 30 days to 2 years, worldwide or regional.
From$197.00100 min
Iridium
Push-to-talk
Instant group voice for teams on Iridium Extreme PTT handsets, with talk groups.
From$372.00/ quarter
Rental
Short term
Rent an Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 by the week or month, shipped as a complete kit.
From$210.00/ week
Inmarsat
No contract
Prepaid units for the IsatPhone 2, valid from 90 days to 1 year.
From$180.00100 units
Inmarsat
Monthly
Inmarsat GSPS monthly service, billed monthly, every 6 months or yearly.
From$82.80/ month
Thuraya
No contract
Prepaid units for Thuraya phones, for initial activation or reactivation.
From$81.0739 units
Thuraya
Monthly
Monthly maritime and land plans with per-minute rates and usage allowances.
From$12.00/ month
Prices in US dollars, from the lowest plan on each plan page. Activation, reactivation and usage rates are shown on each plan page. Looking for Iridium GO! or GO! exec airtime? See all Iridium plans.
Plan types
Each network offers the same three ways to pay. Choose by how often you use the phone, and for how long.
Prepaid
No monthly bill, no contract.
Postpaid
One predictable bill every month.
Rental
Phone, airtime and accessories for a set period.
Why Global Satellite
Global Satellite has supplied satellite communications since 1974. We sell the phones, activate and recharge the airtime, and support Iridium, Inmarsat and Thuraya users from one team.
Individuals, vessels, companies, NGOs and government teams rely on us to choose the right network and keep their phones ready when they need them.
Simple activation
Iridium, Inmarsat or Thuraya, based on your phone and where you operate.
Prepaid, monthly or rental, with the minutes or units you need.
New activation, recharge of an active SIM or reactivation of an expired one.
Plan changes, renewals, balance questions and technical help from our team.
Use cases
Voice and SMS at sea, beyond cell coverage.
Reliable lines for crews at remote sites.
A backup line when local networks fail.
Contact for staff in remote regions.
Coverage for crews and travelers.
Phones for trekking, hunting and research.
More airtime services
FAQ
Straight answers about prices, coverage, SIM cards and choosing the right plan.
Tell us your phone, where you operate and how you use it. We help you pick the right network and plan.
Iridium plans start at $72.00 per month or $197.00 for 100 prepaid minutes. Inmarsat IsatPhone plans start at $82.80 per month or $180.00 for 100 prepaid units. Thuraya plans start at $12.00 per month (maritime Entry plan, plus usage) or $81.07 for 39 prepaid units. Satellite phone rentals start at $210.00 per week. Activation fees apply on some plans.
It depends on where you will use the phone. Iridium is the only network with truly global coverage, including oceans and the polar regions. Inmarsat covers the globe except the extreme polar regions. Thuraya covers Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, with the lowest monthly plan prices of the three networks.
Iridium and Inmarsat phones work in the United States and across the Americas. Thuraya does not cover the Americas, so a Thuraya phone will not connect there.
Choose prepaid if you use the phone occasionally or keep it for emergencies: you pay once for a block of minutes or units with no monthly bill. Choose postpaid if you call every month and want included minutes or lower per-minute rates on one monthly invoice.
No. Each satellite phone works only with a SIM card from its own network: an Iridium phone needs an Iridium SIM, an IsatPhone needs an Inmarsat SIM and a Thuraya phone needs a Thuraya SIM. Some Thuraya phones, such as the XT-PRO DUAL, also accept a regular GSM SIM.
Yes. Every prepaid card has a validity period. Iridium prepaid minutes are valid from 30 days to 2 years depending on the card, and IsatPhone prepaid units from 90 days to 1 year. Recharge before expiry to keep your SIM and number active.
Yes. We recharge active prepaid SIMs, renew postpaid subscriptions and reactivate expired SIMs. Reactivation options and fees are shown on each plan page.
Rent for a single trip or a short project: our IsatPhone 2 rentals start at $210.00 per week, with airtime included. Buy a phone and choose a plan if you need it regularly or want it ready for emergencies. See satellite phone rental.
Tell us where you operate and how often you call. Our team will recommend the right network, phone and plan.
