GSP-1700 Mobile Satellite PhoneThe portable GSP-1700 is the smallest and lightest satellite phone from Globalstar, that increases the efficiency and profitability of companies, and the well-being of individuals and entire communities. The Globalstar GSP-1700 communicates via satellite providing the best voice quality and the fastest handheld data speeds in mobile satellite today.Companies can affordably and productively manage their business directly from the remote worksite instead of spending costly travel time to reach areas that are covered by cellular service. Call suppliers and business partners to arrange shipments and provide updates from the field or use the Globalstar Data Kit (available separately) to send key information via email or Internet to the head office.Loaded with Features Compact and light weight. Weighing only 7 oz. the GSP-1700 packs easy for traveling Rings while antenna is stowed: Receive calls even when the antenna is down Long-life battery: 4 hours of talk time, 36 hours on standby mode Optimized for outside daytime viewing: Backlit color display with 4-line 12-character LCD Illuminated keypad: Easy to see keypad when lighting is inadequateBenefits: Coverage far beyond cellular range: Improve productivity and safety when working, traveling or visiting remote areas CDMA technology for optimal voice clarity Price Plan options tailored to your calling needs, including monthly or annual plans for seasonal users Global roaming: Use the GSP-1700 in 120 countries worldwide Integrates with optional GSP-1700 Portable Docking Kit, or GIK-1700 Vehicle/Marine kit Optional weather proof enclosure for external antenna also available for use in salt water environmentsCalling Features Comes standard
- Battery Type Lithium Ion
- Weight (oz) 7.05
This Unlocked Cell Phones give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Hidden fees, false claims, and questionable signal quality.
Hidden fees, false claims, and questionable signal quality.
I am just a causal user, not one the oil roughnecks on the tundra or the high-flying mountain climbers on the summit of K2. I live up here in Missoula, and a couple times of year I enjoy spending time back in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and a couple weeks a year at our timeshare in Los Cabos.
I bought the phone so that I can stay connected to the office [only when I need to], check and see how my kids are doing, and to do some email and web when needed. Fair enough.
I called Globalstar and asked them if they have service in Montana and Mexico. Funny, the Customer Care Rep. answered the question with an emphatic yes, before I even had the chance to finish the sentence. Were they even listening? I'm not so sure, and here's why.
I agree the phone service is not cheap - I had to pay $1.39/minute for roaming fees on top of my $49.95 monthly plan just to use it in Mexico. But when I...
2. Fantastic phone, service getting better each month!
First of all, the GSP-1700 is one of the most affordable satellite phones on the market. Manufactured by Qualcomm, it has a full fledged address book, location service, and ability to receive SMS messages and short e-mails. The service is only $20 a month for unlimited calling from North America to North America, and prices are what you would expect when in or calling to other countries. The overall size of this phone is fairly compact and doesn't weigh much more than say an iPhone 4. It's definitely much smaller than the older GSP-1600 phone and lighter, too.
It supports a data connection via USB through an optional (but sadly, proprietary) USB cable. Data rates are acceptable, and the data service is included in the $20/month plan. Overall, the accessories are a bit expensive as with Iridium and Thuraya products, but I'm happy to support Globalstar.
So, the catch to a cheap phone and unbelievably cheap service? Globalstar's first generation satellites have...
Need more appointment... ?
Good so far...
UPDATE: Still working well and I ordered the data cable. It was easy to configure using Ubuntu 12.04 using gnome-ppp. I set the baud rate to 38K, the number to #777, did a dmesg to get the device name, chopped the FCLASS command off the init string. Went outside, and started using sudo from the command line and - connected perfectly. The data rate was a little less than 9600 baud as expected. Still definitely better than no internet at all in an emergency or in the wilderness.
I've only had mine a couple weeks but my initial impression is good.
Be sure to check out the "Globalstar call times tool" on their website. Their service has indeed improved from "horrendous" to "barely tolerable", a big improvement. At one time the phone only worked a few minutes each hour. Now across most of the US its more like 45 minutes or so with their recent launch of satellites by the Russians.
When I first got the phone it was immediately a warm and fuzzy...
More information by click here.
