Inmarsat - OffShore Sailing Communication and Email

This is the Rolls Royce of offshore communication. It allows easy voice and data communication from anywhere in the world.

There are many flavors of Inmarsat. The two types most commonly found on boats are Inmarsat C which is just email and Inmarsat Mini-M

Inmarsat C

This email only service is a text only service which is rather expensive at 25 cents per 32 characters, almost a cent a character. It does provide reliable worldwide service for short emails.

Inmarsat Mini-M

Using hardware such as the KVH Tracphone 252 and the Inmarsat network, users can have virtually worldwide service (except for some areas of the South Pacific, but hey, you are supposed to be relaxing on a desert island...) for voice, fax and data. Hardware costs are about $4,500 to $5,000 and the rate per minute is $1.59 to 1.95 for data transmission of 2400 bps. But if you have to keep in touch with people or business matters this is the way to go.