[alox]

No clue if this could / would ever happen, but I'm interested to know what it would take to MAKE it happen.

[TroyDBrown]

Actually very easy to do. Issue is would enough people buy it?

The satellite infrastructure exists, the radios exist, the connection to the Internet exists.

[zkyevolved]

very expensive though.

[RadHaz75]

Originally Posted by zkyevolved

very expensive though.

ha, thanks Mr. Dink. (anyone remember Doug from nicktoons or did i just show my age?)

[jsconyers]

LOL I remember that show. Doug Funny with Skeeter and Patty Mayonnaise. How can you forget Quailman?

To get back on topic. I would have to agree with Troy. It most likely can be done, but is there enough interest?

[RadHaz75]

i think satellite is the way to go for phone, gives you the most coverages with less stupid towers. i dont understand why the interest is so low.

[rambo47]

For now the satellite phone market is a niche market. Very expensive, and big bulky handsets.

[complexx]

Originally Posted by RadHaz75

i think satellite is the way to go for phone, gives you the most coverages with less stupid towers. i dont understand why the interest is so low.

Because most people are not stranded on desert islands running from dinosaurs...

[RadHaz75]

Originally Posted by complexx

Because most people are not stranded on desert islands running from dinosaurs...

or black fog

[Mark Rejhon]

Originally Posted by alox

No clue if this could / would ever happen, but I'm interested to know what it would take to MAKE it happen.

I think it can already be done by using a WiFi BlackBerry to a WiFi-enabled satellite homebase. This would be fixed location, but would bring BlackBerry accessibility to a remote camp or outpost.

Not sure if UMA wold work, but everything else WiFi would work just fine -- even BIS and BES services would work.

One could even hook an Iridium phone to a Linux laptop that's running in WiFi router mode (tethering) -- and you use your WiFi-enabled BlackBerry over Iridium. UMA definitely won't work, due to the bandwidth required, but lightweight data such as emails, chat and WAP would work.

[omkhar]

Sat links have horrid latency, wouldn't ever want to run VoIP over it. Sat antennas (As stated before) are big and bulky and the service just plain costs more to run.

[TroyDBrown]

Originally Posted by Mark Rejhon

I think it can already be done by using a WiFi BlackBerry to a WiFi-enabled satellite homebase. This would be fixed location, but would bring BlackBerry accessibility to a remote camp or outpost.

Not sure if UMA wold work, but everything else WiFi would work just fine -- even BIS and BES services would work.

Mark I did this two weeks ago with my 8120. Data was great and UMA of course had delays. I would start my call saying "I am on a satellite, there will be a delay"

[kahmed94]

Originally Posted by RadHaz75

i think satellite is the way to go for phone, gives you the most coverages with less stupid towers. i dont understand why the interest is so low.

its not why the interest so low its cuz they wont allow that type of usage. will be hard for them to track usage on a average civilian. US sends out and average of 4 satellites per year, maybe more. they dont give out any other news anyways. specially when google started mapping the globe in 2002 people have been a lil paranoid due to privacy. the sat phones are been used wide around the world just not in US for certain reasons.
true its an expensive way of communication. heck if i made more than average or obnoxiously huge income i would have blackberry make me one.

[ds8830nl]

Sat phones are not as reliable as you think, I've used both a Sat and Cell in a isolated/no reception areas and both failed to work on numerous occasions. All the hype about Sat reliable is garbage.
Saying that, your better of with just your cell coverage and cheaper rates.

[complexx]

Originally Posted by RadHaz75

or black fog

But the black fog is sooo cool!!! Can't wait for it to start up again!

[alox]

I agree that consumer applications of the Satberry would be limited; but I think that there are a lot of potential apps for BB communications from corporate and governmental clients where there are poor / unconventional networks, also where the networks are down due to natural disaters, etc.

I understand that Satphones' antennas are big and bulky. Would there be an interest in a device that interfaces with a BB that facilitates a hand-held sattelite up-link?

[PowerCell]

First of all, it wouldn't work in door or near trees or buildings. Secondly, it would require a very large antenna - much larger than the BB to begin with. Lastly, non-terrestrial based high speed data is extremely expensive. The single most valuable resource on a sat is...... electricity! The run for decades on solar power alone and when you get billed for a data draw from someone like Ardis, they charge you based on the power you've used - which is directly related to the gain on your antenna...


Class dismissed....