There are many satellite phones, but an Iridium satellite phone is advantageous in that it has global coverage. Most of the other satellite companies only have regional coverage. 66 LEO or low-earth orbiting satellites about 500 miles from the surface are widely-used to power iridium satellite mobile phones. These satellites are positioned in such a way that they can reach every corner of the planet. All Iridium satellite telephones utilize Iridium network. The actual network is really strong and efficient which the united states department of defense and some other gov departments in the usa and somewhere else utilize the network. There are spare satellites in case there is failure in one of the 66 LEO satellites or a collision, such as the one in 2009 with a Russian satellite. An important benefit of Iridium satellite phones is you possibly can talk to another satellite phone in the network and never have to move through the land-earth station. This is advantageous in that there is a lower risk of the conversation being tracked and you will get a 25% discount. The quality of the call is also better.... Read more