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Find the right satellite device for the job
Compare the main device categories, understand where each one fits best, and jump into the guide that matches your trip, project, team, or remote operations requirement.
Buying guide for satellite communication devices
At Orbital SatCom we sell a range of satellite communications and tracking products and use various satellite networks including Globalstar, Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya. Making a decision on the most suitable product to use can be confusing so we have created these buying guides to help you find the perfect satellite communications product for your requirements. If you need assistance before making a purchase please call us on 0800 112 3919 to discuss your requirements.
Satellite Phones
Satellite phones are ideal for anyone needing voice and SMS capabilities in areas where no other reliable methods of telecommunications are available. Satellite phones can also be used for data services although the speeds are very slow and only suitable for plain text emails. If you are planning on regularly transferring large amounts of data we would recommend a satellite broadband terminal.
satellite hotspots
Hotspots are a better fit than phones when the real objective is connecting devices rather than simply placing calls. They are particularly useful for remote work, expeditions, media crews, small mobile teams, and operations where multiple devices may need data access.
Best for:Â data access, smart-device connectivity, field uploads, and operational internet beyond terrestrial networks.
trackers & communicators
A globally-connected tracker or communicator is ideal for when location visibility, check-ins, simple messaging, status reporting, or remote monitoring are more important than regular voice calling. Some devices are person-focused, while others are intended for vehicles, equipment, or assets.
Best for:Â lone workers, expeditions, asset visibility, check-ins, and SOS support without the need for a full phone setup.
locator beacons & flares
OSAT has a wide range of locator beacons and flares covering PLBs, EPIRBs, AIS man overboard devices, and related safety equipment. These devices are perfect for users who want dedicated emergency equipment for marine, aviation, offshore, or remote outdoor use, especially where a purpose-built beacon is more appropriate than a broader communication device.
Best for:Â dedicated emergency preparedness, marine distress alerting, personal locator beacons, and rescue-focused safety gear.
two-way radios
OSAT’s two-way radio collection adds another important category for anyone that needs direct, fast, team-based voice coordination. Our range includes Icom and other radio-focused brands used in marine and professional environments.
Radios are best when the need is local or team-wide push-to-talk communication rather than long-distance satellite calling. For many operational environments, they are the right answer for on-site coordination, transport, events, security, and vessel use.
Best for:Â team coordination, vessel communications, professional push-to-talk, and direct on-site voice communication.
COMPARE THE MAIN CATEGORIES
A simple way to narrow down which category is actually right for the job.
| Category | Satellite Phones | Hotspots / Internet | Trackers | Beacons | Two-Way Radios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Voice calls and SMS | Data connectivity for devices | Location sharing and SOS | Emergency distress alerting | Direct team voice comms |
| Best for | Remote calling and backup comms | Internet access and uploads | Safety, check-ins, monitoring | Marine / outdoor emergency readiness | On-site and team coordination |
| When it is the wrong choice | You mainly need internet | You only need emergency voice | You need long voice calls regularly | You want everyday two-way messaging | You need global off-grid reach |
| Typical user | Travellers, field teams, vessels | Remote workers, media, teams | Lone workers, expeditions, assets | Mariners, aviators, remote users | Security, marine, logistics, teams |
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the job you need the device to do. If you need voice calls, begin with satellite phones. If you mainly need visibility and SOS, look at trackers. If the goal is dedicated distress alerting, beacons are often the right category
Satellite hotspots usually focus on connecting personal smart devices in a portable format, while the wider satellite internet category can also include more substantial or fixed connectivity options. OSAT has separate collections for both.
Not usually. Radios are excellent for direct team communication, but they do not replace global off-grid satellite communications where wider reach is needed.
That usually points you toward locator beacons and flares rather than a broader communication device, especially for marine and rescue-focused use.
Yes. Your current OSAT buying guide already positions the page as a decision-support tool and invites users to call before making a purchase if they need help narrowing the options down.