Best Emergency Satellite Phone UK – Satphones for Remote Travel and Emergencies
A smartphone is one of the most useful pieces of emergency equipment you can carry – right up until you find yourself somewhere without mobile coverage.
For hikers, mountaineers, sailors, remote workers, overlanders and people building an emergency kit, an emergency satellite phone provides another way to communicate when terrestrial mobile networks aren’t available.
Unlike an ordinary mobile, a satellite phone or satellite communicator connects to satellites rather than relying solely on nearby mobile phone masts. Depending on the device and service, this can provide voice calls, text messaging, GPS location sharing and an SOS facility from remote locations.
We’ve selected some of the best options available, including traditional Inmarsat satellite phones and the compact ZOLEO satellite communicator.
Best Emergency Satellite Phones at a Glance
| Device | Type | Voice Calls | SOS | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Kit | Satellite phone | Yes | Yes | Best overall emergency satphone | View on Amazon |
| BlueCosmo IsatPhone 2.1 Kit | Satellite phone | Yes | Yes | Best prepaid package | View on Amazon |
| Satellite emergency communications option | Satellite device | Check listing | Check listing | Alternative option | View on Amazon |
| ZOLEO Satellite Communicator | Satellite messenger | No | Yes | Best for hiking & lightweight travel | View on Amazon |
| OSAT Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 | Satellite phone | Yes | Yes | Best for adventurers & survivalists | View on Amazon |
1. BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Satellite Phone Kit – Best Overall
Buy BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Kit on Amazon
If you want a proper emergency satphone rather than a smartphone-linked satellite messenger, the BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 kit is our pick.
This is an actual satellite telephone, giving it an important advantage in an emergency: you can make voice calls.
The package supplied here includes an IsatPhone 2.1 and a prepaid SIM advertised with 100 units, equivalent to 77 minutes and valid for 90 days.
The IsatPhone 2 is designed for satellite voice communication but also supports SMS, GPS location information and an assistance/SOS function.
That combination makes it considerably more versatile than simply carrying a device capable of sending an SOS signal.
If your vehicle has broken down in a remote area, for example, being able to explain exactly what has happened over a voice call can be extremely valuable.
Best for: Expeditions, remote travel, emergency preparedness and anyone specifically wanting satellite voice calls.
2. BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Satellite Phone Kit – Best Prepaid Option
View the BlueCosmo IsatPhone 2.1 Satellite Phone Kit on Amazon
This is another BlueCosmo IsatPhone 2.1 option and is worth comparing with the package above, particularly if prices or included airtime differ when you buy.
Prepaid satellite phone packages can make sense for occasional users.
You may want an emergency sat phone for a particular expedition, long-distance trip or period of remote working without necessarily wanting another permanent monthly contract.
However, always check the airtime expiry date and activation requirements before travelling.
An emergency phone with an expired or inactive service isn’t much use when you actually need it.
Best for: Occasional satellite-phone users and buyers looking for an IsatPhone package with prepaid airtime.
3. Garmin inReach Mini 2, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator
View this Satellite Communications Option on Amazon
4. ZOLEO Satellite Communicator – Best for Hiking and Lightweight Travel
Buy ZOLEO Satellite Communicator on Amazon
The ZOLEO Satellite Communicator isn’t technically a satellite phone – and that’s an important distinction.
You cannot make satellite voice calls with it. Instead, ZOLEO is a compact two-way satellite messaging device that uses the Iridium satellite network. With the ZOLEO app, it supports messaging, check-ins, location sharing and SOS functionality.
Why choose that instead of a phone?
Size and weight are two good reasons.
The ZOLEO weighs around 150g and its quoted standby battery life is over 200 hours with a message check every 12 minutes. It’s also IP68 rated and designed to operate between -20°C and +55°C.
Those characteristics make a lot of sense for hikers, bikepackers, climbers and other outdoor users who don’t necessarily want to carry a relatively bulky satellite telephone.
When paired with your phone, ZOLEO can send messages using mobile data or Wi-Fi where available and switch to Iridium satellite communications beyond conventional coverage. Standalone buttons on the device can still be used for check-in and SOS.
An active service plan is required for satellite messaging and emergency functionality, so factor that ongoing cost into your decision.
Best for: Hiking, cycling, bikepacking, camping and other activities where low weight matters more than voice calling.
5. OSAT Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 – Best for Adventurers and Survivalists
Buy OSAT Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 on Amazon
The OSAT Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 is another option for people who specifically want the capabilities of a genuine satellite phone emergency device.
This is the sort of product likely to appeal to adventurers, expedition users, remote workers and survivalists who want an independent means of voice communication outside ordinary mobile coverage.
The important distinction compared with a compact messenger such as ZOLEO is again voice.
If you need to have an actual conversation with another person rather than exchange short messages, a full satellite phone is the more appropriate tool.
Best for: Adventurers, survivalists, expedition travel and emergency kits where voice communication is important.
Satellite Phone vs Satellite Communicator: Which Do You Need?
This is probably the most important decision to make.
A satellite phone allows voice communication. Depending on the handset, it may also provide SMS, GPS and emergency functions.
A satellite communicator such as ZOLEO is primarily designed around messaging and SOS rather than voice calls. ZOLEO explicitly states that its device doesn’t support voice calling.
For a major expedition or comprehensive emergency-preparedness kit, I would favour a genuine satellite phone.
For a hiker or cyclist who wants an emergency lifeline while minimising weight, a satellite messenger is arguably the more practical choice.
Why Carry an Emergency Sat Phone?
Satellite communication becomes valuable precisely where your smartphone becomes least reliable.
Potential users include:
- Hikers and mountaineers
- Bikepackers and adventure cyclists
- Sailors
- Overlanders
- Remote workers
- Expedition teams
- Campers travelling beyond mobile coverage
- People preparing emergency or disaster kits
It can also provide another communications option if terrestrial networks are unavailable following a major emergency.
However, don’t think of satellite communications as magically working everywhere regardless of conditions.
Satellite devices generally need a good view of the sky. ZOLEO, for example, specifically advises users that the communicator is designed for outdoor use with a clear line of sight to the satellites.
Dense buildings, terrain and other obstructions can interfere with satellite communications.
What Should I Look for in an Emergency Satellite Phone?
Satellite Network
Find out which satellite network your chosen device uses and examine its coverage for the places where you intend to travel.
Don’t assume every satellite service provides identical coverage.
SOS Button
A dedicated SOS feature is particularly valuable because an emergency is exactly when you don’t want to be navigating complicated menus.
ZOLEO, for example, can transmit an SOS and coordinates to a 24/7 emergency response centre.
Battery Life
Long battery life matters if you’re travelling somewhere where charging opportunities are limited.
Consider carrying an appropriate power bank or solar charging setup on longer expeditions.
Durability
Outdoor emergency equipment should be able to cope with the conditions in which you’re likely to need it.
Look at water resistance, operating temperature and impact resistance rather than simply buying the cheapest device.
Airtime and Subscription Costs
This is easily overlooked.
Buying the hardware doesn’t necessarily mean your satellite communications are ready to use indefinitely. Satellite phones require airtime, while communicators such as ZOLEO require an active service plan to access satellite services.
Check activation requirements, prepaid credit expiry and subscription charges before buying.
Can I Use a Satellite Phone Anywhere in the World?
Not necessarily.
Satellite networks can provide extremely extensive geographical coverage, but local laws and regulations can restrict the possession or use of satellite communications equipment in some countries.
ZOLEO itself advises travellers to check applicable local restrictions and licensing requirements.
If you’re travelling internationally, check the rules for every country on your itinerary before packing a satellite phone.
Best Emergency Satellite Phone: Final Verdict
For a serious emergency satphone, our first choice is the BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Kit. It’s a genuine satellite telephone with voice communications plus SMS, GPS tracking and emergency functionality.
The OSAT Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 is another option worth considering for adventurers, remote workers and survivalists.
For hikers, cyclists and lightweight adventurers, however, we’d seriously consider the ZOLEO Satellite Communicator instead.
It isn’t an emergency sat phone because it doesn’t make voice calls. But its compact 150g design, two-way satellite messaging, GPS functionality and dedicated SOS capability make it an attractive emergency communications device when travelling beyond mobile coverage.
Whichever system you choose, activate it, understand how to use it and test it appropriately before heading somewhere remote. Emergency communications equipment is something you want to be familiar with long before an emergency actually happens.
