Thuraya on Optus or Pivotel

[Gidgee]

Looking at getting a Thuraya XTLite on a minimum plan. The handset is $700 from Optus and $799 from Pivotel or their resellers. The $15 plan seems to be similar but Optus only offer the $15 plan and are half the cost for data (which I doubt I'd use). Is anyone with Optus and can comment?

 

[mac_man_luke]

Cant really see there being any difference, runs on the same network just different reseller.
Does optus give you a normal mobile no like pivotel do?

 

[Gidgee]

Hmm, actually they phrase it ambiguously;
"The Thuraya XT-LITE uses a satellite SIM card and has satellite phone number providing local numbering. This means you aren’t stung with expensive satellite call rates - it’s free to receive calls and affordable to use. "

I'd certainly be clarifying that.

 

[mac_man_luke]

yea free to receive but is it free (or mobile rates) for the caller! thats one of the great things about pivotel

 

[red99td5]

Have u considered a phone on the iridium network, can still get the Aussie mobile no so people can call u for free, unless your living in the top end the coverage can be lousy with Theraya and Inmarsat

 

[Bomber2012]

Popcorn ready ....this could be good .

 

[LurchWA]

Cant comment on Optus.
Dont know if this applies or not but have a sat sleeve with pivotel and cant really fault its value for money
Kept my normal number and invested in an external aerial than can be mounted on the roof in case of poor coverage
Not perfect but pretty good for occasional use

 

[mauriceb]

unless your living in the top end the coverage can be lousy with Theraya and Inmarsat[/QUOTE] I have both Thuraya and Isatphone. Thuraya's I prefer. Both work in Southern states .Even as far down as Esperance WA. I haven't been to VHC so can't comment, however my old Iridium wasn't that great either in deep valleys

 

[mauriceb]

Cant comment on Optus.
Dont know if this applies or not but have a sat sleeve with pivotel and cant really fault its value for money
Kept my normal number and invested in an external aerial than can be mounted on the roof in case of poor coverage
Not perfect but pretty good for occasional use

Satsleeve is Thuraya exactly the same service and sim as there XT Lite / XT Pro model . External Antenna doesn't boost signal .Just places antenna in view to the Satetite for uninterrupted service. Thuraya Xt lite ,Isatphone and Retired Telits

 

[bazzook]

I,ve used my Thuraya all around Aus. Even on the overland track Tasi. Has a normal mobile number on Pivotel so you can ring it free from a prepaid mobile

 

[monbeg]

I,ve used my Thuraya all around Aus. Even on the overland track Tasi. Has a normal mobile number on Pivotel so you can ring it free from a prepaid mobile

Same here bazzook

 

[barcher]

Thuraya coverage map now includes Tas and all mainland oz.

A few years ago when I was curious about sat phones, pretty sure coverage was only the top two thirds of mainland.

 

[Gidgee]

Thuraya 3 was launched in 2008 (after first one blew up on launch). Not sure why it ever would have only been top 2/3rd of Australia.

 

[mauriceb]

That's great news @bazzook . Recently I read if you draw a line from Wodonga to Kalgoolie WA that was the Thuraya's southern limit which is Bullshit.

 

[stevemc181]

I'd never go with Thuraya, solely for the fact it's a company based in the UAE and we all know what they think about human rights. Buggered if they will ever get my support by choice. C'mon Elon Musk, bring on the starlink program!

 

[mac_man_luke]

Thuraya might work there but you still need line of sight to the satellite which is quite low in the sky in the south east
Immarsat is slightly better but expensive these days
Iridium is best but also not cheap, around $35/m min and no prepaid options.

 

[mauriceb]

Can you post link to the $35 Iridum plan @mac_man_luke, a mate of mine is looking at connecting in the next few months .

 

[mac_man_luke]

https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-satellite

Not as good as Pivotel as its not got a normal mobile no, bit more expensive to use but ill be connecting with telstra next time as pivotel is now up to $50 a month which for me is too much seeing its only there for emergencies.

 

[stevemc181]

https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-satellite

Not as good as Pivotel as its not got a normal mobile no, bit more expensive to use but ill be connecting with telstra next time as pivotel is now up to $50 a month which for me is too much seeing its only there for emergencies.

I am on a Telstra $35 per month Iridium plan and it's a standard 0419 mobile number on mine.

 

[time]

A Thuraya casual plan with Pivotel is $15 per month, don't know where the $50 per month came from, maybe I've missed something?