In west africa I carry a thuraya sat phone - not for 'rescue' or emergency reasons (has all been said before) but just to stay in touch (usually just SMS). I have found it damn useful but as a convenience and with no other expectations. As it works as a GSM phone also it is one less thing to carry/charge etc. Also works as a VERY basic GPS. Also has it's uses when our local GSM network goes down (often) and I have to make a call. Fully agree about switching it on and picking up SMS. With the price of old (like mine) handsets being pretty cheap and the ability to stick in a normal sim card it is for me a pretty useful item, and that is saying something as I hate phones!!!
Gil
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