Satellite telephones have been around for over 15 years and I am always amazed at how few people even know about the service. Modern, hand held satellite telephones have not only come down in price they have also come down in size and complexity. Today’s phones are the size of a typical cordless phone that you would have in your home and weigh approximately 14 oz. Satellite telephones work on a conglomeration of (LEOS) or Low Earth Orbiting Satellites which provide voice and data coverage absolutely anywhere on the planet including both poles. If you have open sky then you can make a phone call! It is truly a revolutionary product for those who must stay in touch while outside the boundaries of typical cellular services. Recent studies have indicated that 98% of the worlds surface and 80% of the North American land mass have no comprehensive wireless phone services available to the average wireless telephone. Satellite telephones are available for purchase from around $750.00-$1,500 depending upon the coverage that you need. Iridium is a truly global satellite telephone and it’s competitors (Globalstar and Thuraya) simply blanket specific regions with their satellites. For those of us who travel beyond our wireless network on a less frequent basis the satellite phone rental has become a necessity. From the most rugged wilderness to the deepest of oceans you can count on Iridium satellite telephones to provide crystal clear call quality and never ending coverage. And, when all else fails due to a natural or national disaster, Iridium satellite telephones will continue to keep you in touch, regardless of the local cellular and land line infrastructure. This particular feature makes it a must have for any emergency preparedness kit or disaster recovery plan.