Satellite phone rates differ from rates of ordinary cell phones and international cell phones greatly. If you are choosing to rent whatever type of mobile phone that you are planning to use, the price to rent a satellite phone is often a great deal more expensive than the cost to rent an ordinary or international cell phone. This is because satellite phones are more fragile, have more options, and work in more places. However with satellite phones, the price decreases for the longer period that you rent the phone.
In addition to the overall rental cost, satellite phone rates also depend on the amount of time that you talk on your satellite phone. The per minute cost of a satellite phone can range from $1.59 per minute to $4.75 per minute. The charge depends on a number of things including where you are located when you make the call and the type of phone that you have. Calls that originate from inside the United States are the cheapest.
Often satellite phones can be used to data and fax transmissions in addition to voice communication. These types of transmissions (data and fax) are more expensive per minute than the regular voice communication. The prices for per minute for each of these transactions also go up when they originate from a country other than the United States. In addition, some satellite phones can also access the Internet. Just like with faxes and data transmissions, Internet access increases the cost of each minute the phone is used if the call originates from somewhere other than inside the United States. The brand name of your phone can also influence the rates that you receive. Some phones simply cost more than others, both in the rental costs and in the per minute charges simply because their brand name is considered to be better than the others. Also, falling in line with this statement is the application of an insurance charge. Some of the better known brand names often charge an insurance fee to cover you if something happens to the phone while it is in your possession.