Satellite telephone
 

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone is using a satellite phone for a motortrip in South America. I am planning a trip from Bogota all the way down to Pategonia, but not sure if it is nescessarry to have satellite phone. Thanks for your help!

Hi willem1985 and welcome to the forum,
You do not need a satelite phone to make this trip or any other for that, some people take them, often people who have a need to communicate with home or elsewhere for a particular reason but most do not have them.

Thanks!

To stay connected, you can always buy a local SIM card (make sure your phone is unlocked) and data. Colombia & Peru are dirty cheap but in general it is a good way to keep in touch with friends & family.

You can also check InReach Delorme from Garmin which allows you to send SMS (plus its a GPS tracker).

Last resort is the SPOT MESSENGER (also a decent GPS tracker with SOS button as well).

Personally speaking, satellite phones is a waste of money as the plan you need to buy and the charges are insanely expensive in the world of 4G!

Unless you go really remotely where signal and reception is impossible.

It's true, the subscription rates are high plus Add on per minute rates.
In Movie/TV biz everyone has them. But money is no object in that world. I've used them in remote parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia. All good.

The good news about SAT Phones I've seen in use (I do not own one myself) is that they WORK!

A very well off friend brought his along on a Mexico ride into Copper Canyon.
He could call his wife from anywhere ... even in the depths of the canyon.

Luckily we never needed it for any emergencies. They do work and they are BIG.

But if you have the budget ... why not? You are never out of range or without signal.

All that said, with an UNLOCKED phone and local SIM card you are nearly always in touch for cheap. bier

Great, thanks for the the help guys!