AT&T Introduces Satellite-Enabled Smart Phone

crimeandpunishment writes "Here's one way to deal with spotty cell phone coverage: backstop the network on a satellite. AT&T is now selling its first satellite-enabled smart phone....which could be invaluable for boaters, forest rangers, and others who regularly leave regular cellular coverage areas. But the TerreStar Genus comes with a hefty price tag: $799.....and the data costs are as sky-high as the satellite....400 times more than a standard plan. It also has to have a clear view of the southern sky, which means it can only be used outdoors."

Yawn...

[Anonymous Coward]

I've given up on AT&T.. Their service sucks. Their plans suck. I wouldn't even have a freaking cell phone if it weren't for my wife and family. I don't want to text message strange women, or receive funneh jokes via text. In fact I freaking hate text messaging. Also, I don't want to run around with my head up my ass looking up junk on Google on my phone while I could be doing something productive like say.. having a real conversation with someone. Meh. I hate cellphones.

Re:Texting

[Anonymous Coward]

SMS sucks. Why not email? Latency and bandwidth wouldn't be issues.

Re:Texting

[timeOday]

SMS sucks. Why not email?

I agree completely. Why somebody felt compelled to invent a bastardized version of email in the first place is beyond me.

799?

[Anonymous Coward]

799 is a hefty price for a gadget?? remind me how much nexus was going for on google site? and with regards to data costing 400 time more - excuse moi, i don't know where are you from, but here in canada rogers beats any satellite plan hands down.

Re:Texting

[Charliemopps]

Because people pay it.

Re:Texting

[Anonymous Coward]

For extremely brief messages, SMS is faster and the recipient doesn't need to have their chat or email client open. As long as their phone is on, they'll get the message. This is useful for messages like, "Answer your goddamn phone. We need to talk now!" or "I'm watching you sleep."

Re:Texting

[DarthBart]

In my experience with satellite phone users, there's two types:

1) The guys who are going camping way out in the middle of Nowhere. They wont use their phone unless someone is dying. At that point, I don't think they care about per-minute costs. Usually, those folks have bought $50-100 prepaid airtime cards.

2) Businessmen who need to be in contact with home base no matter what. That includes oil/gas industries, or senior-level executives. The folks in accounting get the bill and the end user just knows to dial, press send, and then carry on.

Source: Me, having to provide sales & support services to Irridium and INMARSAT users.

Re:uh no

[iowannaski]

Good for you.

When I'm in the middle of the forest or out in a boat is it's because someone is paying me to do work out there. I often need to communicate with people back at the office in those situations, and texting is often the easiest way to do that.

Re:Texting

[genik76]

Why should things be priced based on their actual cost to the provider? It makes much more sense to demand a price, which maximizes the profit. If you decide to use the service, it's obviously worth the price and both parties have gained something from the transaction.

Re:Texting

[shentino]

If there was actually a bit of competition in the area I'd be satisfied with that explanation.

But when a long term contract means I'm locked into whatever they see fit to hide in the fine print, I'm not exactly at liberty to take my business elsewhere, now am I?

Re:So let me get this right...

[TheRaven64]

The point is that no one wants to use an Iridium phone as their primary phone, because it's insanely expensive. No one wants to take an Iridium phone with them in case they go out of the coverage area. On the other hand, if you find yourself in the middle of nowhere where there is no mobile phone signal, then you might decide that it's worth paying $5/minute to be able to make a call.