Satellite Communications for Government & Emergency Services
Satellite phones, push-to-talk, rapid-deploy broadband and tracking for emergency management, first responders, defense contractors and government field teams. Ready to use when cell towers, power and fiber go down. Supplied, configured and supported by Global Satellite Group since 1974.
When terrestrial networks fail, your mission can't
Hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and outages take down cell towers, power and fiber exactly when agencies need to coordinate most. Satellite communications connect straight to orbit, so they keep working when local infrastructure doesn't.
Continuity of operations
Keep emergency operations centers, command posts and critical offices connected when primary networks go down.
Team coordination
Satellite push-to-talk talk groups give field teams instant one-to-many voice, with no towers and no dialing.
Situational awareness
Broadband at the incident site sends video, imagery, maps and reports to decision makers in real time.
Personnel safety
SOS buttons, GPS tracking and check-in messaging help protect personnel working alone or in hazardous areas.
Built for the teams that respond first
Every agency gets a plan based on its users, coverage area and the scenarios it prepares for. These are the solutions we deploy most often.
EOCs & continuity of operations
Backup voice and data for emergency operations centers, shelters and critical facilities, ready before the next storm season.
- Starlink emergency kits for command posts
- Iridium Certus backup data and voice lines
- Satellite phones for key staff
- Inmarsat BGAN portable terminals
Fire, police & EMS
Instant group communications and broadband for wildfire camps, search areas, mass-casualty incidents and large events.
- Iridium PTT talk groups
- Icom satellite radios with a familiar LMR feel
- IC-SAT100M for vehicles and base stations
- All-Day Satellite Emergency Kit
Search & rescue and coastal patrol
Reliable voice, data and safety services for patrol boats, rescue vessels and coastal stations.
- Starlink Maritime broadband
- Iridium GMDSS safety terminals
- Inmarsat FleetOne for smaller craft
- GS Monitoring System for fleets
Contractors & security teams
Rugged commercial satellite equipment for defense contractors, security providers and training exercises.
- Intellian OW7MP Manpack (OneWeb LEO)
- Kymeta U8 for vehicles on the move
- Iridium Extreme PTT handsets
- Starlink Performance Gen 3
Remote government field teams
For forestry, parks, environmental, survey and infrastructure teams working far from coverage.
- Iridium Extreme 9575 with SOS
- GSatMicro personnel and asset tracking
- Iridium GO! exec for email and apps
- Satellite tracking plans
Embassies, missions & programs
Independent communications for diplomatic missions, international programs and teams deployed abroad.
- Thuraya XT-PRO DUAL for EMEA and Asia
- OneWeb and Starlink site connectivity
- Satellite phone rentals for deployments
- Iridium SBD tracking and messaging
Every layer your response depends on
Effective emergency communications combine several tools: voice for individuals, push-to-talk for teams, broadband for command posts and tracking for personnel. We put all of them together, across multiple satellite networks, so no single outage leaves your teams without communications.
We can deliver complete kits set up with your contacts and talk groups, ready to deploy.
Plan your agency's kitOn-the-move connectivity
Kymeta U8, OneWeb manpacks and IC-SAT100M for vehicles and mobile units.
Which satellite solution fits which need
A quick guide to matching each communications need with the right technology. We'll confirm the best option for your coverage area and budget.
| Need | Recommended solution | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Voice anywhere on Earth | Iridium satellite phones | Truly global, pole-to-pole coverage with SOS and GPS on the Extreme 9575 |
| Instant team communications | Iridium PTT / Icom IC-SAT100 | One-to-many talk groups with no towers or repeaters |
| Command post broadband | Starlink emergency kit | High-speed, low-latency internet that deploys in minutes |
| Weather-resilient backup data | Iridium Certus / Inmarsat BGAN | L-band links that keep working in heavy rain |
| Vehicles and mobile command | Kymeta U8 / IC-SAT100M | Connectivity and PTT built for vehicle installation |
| Personnel and asset tracking | Satellite trackers | Position reports and alerts from anywhere |
| Cost-effective regional voice | Thuraya | Voice and data across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia |
Coverage, speeds and service availability depend on location, equipment and local regulations. Satellite services need a clear view of the sky.
Equipment agencies rely on
Rugged handsets, radios and terminals we supply, activate and support, individually or as complete kits.
Iridium Extreme PTT
Dual-mode handset with push-to-talk talk groups and regular satellite calling.
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Icom IC-SAT100
IP67 satellite PTT radio with the feel of a land mobile radio.
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Iridium Extreme Emergency Package
Iridium Extreme with SOS, solar charger and a protective Pelican case.
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All-Day Satellite Emergency Kit
Starlink Mini, a GS battery with up to 9 hours of power, and a rugged case.
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Iridium Extreme 9575
Rugged global satellite phone with GPS and an integrated SOS button.
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Iridium GO! exec
Battery-powered satellite Wi-Fi for email, messaging and apps on your own devices.
View details →
Kymeta U8
Electronically steered flat-panel terminal for vehicles and mobile command units.
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Thuraya XT-PRO DUAL
Satellite and GSM in one handset, with dual SIM, for Thuraya coverage regions.
View details →From planning to response
One partner for equipment, airtime, setup and support, before, during and after an emergency.
Assess needs
Users, teams, coverage area and the scenarios you plan for.
Design the plan
The right mix of phones, PTT, broadband and tracking.
Supply & configure
Equipment activated and set up with contacts and talk groups.
Train your teams
Clear guidance so users can operate under pressure.
Test & maintain
Airtime management, plan changes and regular checks.
Surge support
Rental units and 24/7 technical support when incidents grow.
A partner that's there before the emergency
- Experience since 1974. Five decades of satellite communications for government, industry and maritime customers.
- Network-independent advice. Iridium, Starlink, OneWeb, Inmarsat, Thuraya and KVH under one roof, so the plan fits your mission.
- International presence. Offices in the United States, France, Morocco, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands, plus our KVH partnership in the USA.
- Buy, rent or both. Permanent equipment for daily operations and rentals for exercises, events and major incidents.
- Support that stays. 24/7 technical support, airtime management and replacements when you need them.
Hurricane season, wildfire or major event?
Add satellite phones, PTT handsets and Starlink kits for days, weeks or months, without long-term contracts for short-term needs.
Government & emergency satellite communications: common questions
What is the best satellite communication setup for emergency management agencies?
Most agencies combine several layers: Iridium satellite phones for key staff, satellite push-to-talk for field teams, a rapid-deploy broadband kit such as Starlink for the command post, and an L-band backup such as Iridium Certus or Inmarsat BGAN that keeps working in severe weather. The right mix depends on how many users you have, your coverage area and the scenarios you plan for.
Do satellite phones work when cell towers and power are down?
Yes. Satellite phones connect directly to satellites rather than to local towers, so they keep working when cellular networks, landlines and power fail. They need a clear view of the sky and charged batteries, so we recommend keeping spare batteries or solar chargers in every kit.
Which satellite phone is best for government and emergency use?
The Iridium Extreme 9575 is the most common choice because Iridium covers the entire planet and the phone combines military-grade durability, GPS and an integrated SOS button. For team communications, the Iridium Extreme PTT adds push-to-talk group calling. In Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Thuraya handsets are a cost-effective alternative. See our emergency satellite phone guide.
Can Starlink be used for emergency response and disaster recovery?
Yes. Starlink Mini kits with a portable battery set up in minutes and give command posts, shelters and field teams high-speed internet. Because Starlink needs power and a clear view of the sky, we recommend pairing it with Iridium phones or PTT as a backup. Learn more about our satellite emergency kits.
What is satellite push-to-talk and why do first responders use it?
Satellite push-to-talk (PTT) works like a two-way radio over satellite: one press reaches the whole talk group, wherever its members are. It needs no towers or repeaters, which makes it ideal for wildfires, search and rescue, and multi-site incidents. Explore Iridium PTT plans.
Do you work with defense contractors and international programs?
Yes. We supply commercial satellite equipment, airtime and support to defense and security contractors, government programs and organizations operating abroad, subject to applicable export regulations. Our offices in the United States, Europe, North Africa and the Caribbean support international deployments.
Can we rent equipment for exercises, events or major incidents?
Yes. We rent satellite phones, PTT handsets and Starlink kits for days, weeks or months, which suits training exercises, large public events and surge capacity during major incidents. See satellite phone rentals and Starlink rentals.
Build your agency's communications plan
Tell us about your agency and the scenarios you prepare for. We'll propose the right mix of satellite phones, push-to-talk, broadband and tracking, with clear pricing.
- Agency or organization type and region
- Number of users and teams
- Voice, push-to-talk, broadband or tracking needs
- Purchase, rental or pre-positioned kits
