Wireless World: Satellite cell phones

A story that talks about how to get around mobile phone networks.

CHICAGO, April 15 (UPI) -- Remember satellite phones? During the last decade, technology companies heroically went bust vying to replace conventional mobile phones with sophisticated handsets that transmitted calls off satellites orbiting Earth.

Now, telecommunications companies seem ready for another try, but analysts told UPI's Wireless World they do not know if consumers will be more willing today to spend a dollar a minute or more for the phone service than they were a few years ago.

"The bankruptcy of Iridium has been a boon for the industry -- all of the debt was erased," said Sascha Segan, the lead analyst for telephony at PC Magazine in New York City. He was referring to the network of 66 satellites the company operates to provide worldwide mobile-phone service.
By Gene Koprowski