When communication is unreliable and continually threatened, satellite phones Iraq could be the best way to stay in touch. However, with the growing conflict and turbulence between Iraqi forces and U.S. forces, satellite phone communication is not nearly as simple as in other countries that are not dealing with the realities of war. As war efforts continue to destroy Iraq’s infrastructure, landlines and mobile phone networks become some of the casualties. As these communication pathways are destroyed, satellite phone usage increases, due to Iraqi citizens, military personnel and journalists. However, this spike in satellite phone is not necessarily a good thing and may not always be the safest way to communicate.
Because satellite phones operate much differently than landline or mobile phone networks, satellite phones Iraq are more often perceived as a threat. Currently, United States’ forces and Iraqi officials are outlawing the use of satellite phones that are part of the Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. of the United Arab Emirates because they fear that use of these satellite phones will betray military positions and transmit important secret information. Although journalists and Iraqi civilians are often users of satellite phones, military officials use them frequently, as well, so both sides probably hope the restriction of satellite phones will help limit the information that is leaked.
Additionally, in regards to safety, satellite phone usage could now create new dangers for civilians because there is word of military forces using satellite phone signals as beacons for bombing attacks. Because it is very hard to distinguish the ID of a satellite phone as being used by a civilian or military officer, there is a growing fear that civilians will increasingly be the victims of bombings due to satellite phone signals. Although it is uncertain how much of these speculations is true and confirmed, travelers to the Iraq area—people who would normally seek out satellite phones as a reliable means of communication—should be aware of the potential problems and risks associated with satellite phone usage at the current time.