Satellite Phone Rental Center

Satphones give you reliable communications whether you’re on an adventure in the back country or high seas, working at a remote job site, or preparing for a hurricane. If you want the confidence that comes with reliable communications, having a satellite phone with you is critical. Renting a satellite phone gives you a flexible and affordable way to keep connected without higher upfront and ongoing cost of ownership.

Deciding whether to rent or buy a satphone comes down to weighing how the benefits apply to your situation. Here are some clear benefits of renting a satphone:

• Renting gives you low upfront costs – just the price of the rental itself and the cost of any usage after your rental. For a month’s rental or less it’s certainly more affordable to rent than to buy.
• Renting gives you the ability to try different satphones. The right phone for one situation might not be right the next time you need one. Renting lets you choose a different phone as you need it.
• Renting gives you the chance to try before you buy. You can make sure that the phone has the features and coverage you need before committing to a purchase.

So, when is it right to buy a phone instead of renting? Here are some advantages of purchasing a satellite phone from Pulsar instead of renting:

• You know which phone will work for you long term.
• You will keep your phone active more than 1 month per year. Pulsar plans have no commitment after the first month of service.
• You want to keep things simple. If you know you’re going to use a satphone every year, avoid the shipping and just buy one, suspend it when you don’t need it and reactivate it (for free) when you do.
• You want access to higher usage plans and free incoming calls. Pulsar purchase plans have more options than the rental plan.
• You want to keep your same number over time (even after suspending service). Pulsar lets you save your local number for $5/month and reactivate at any time with no reactivation fee for up to 6-months within a 12-month term. Whether you rent or buy only Pulsar gives you a true local number that works just like a cell phone in the US, UK or Canada.

There are a few companies that rent satellite phones, but not many. Doing it right takes expertise and dedication. Here are things to look for in a rental provider:

• Daily rates – Some companies round up by the week. We charge daily after the first week, so if you use it for 8 days, you only pay for 8 days.
• Target-date Shipping: Get your phone when you need it. We send phones ahead of your target date with 2-day shipping to ensure the phone has arrived and ready when you are.
• Easy, flexible returns: Pulsar includes a prepaid shipping label with all rentals making returns quick and easy.
• No security deposit
• Local Phone Number – Every other satphone provider gives you a long number that makes it difficult for people to call you – it’s like dialing another country, literally. Only Pulsar gives you a satphone number that looks, dials and works exactly like a regular cell phone number. This makes it easy to remember, and affordable for others to dial.
• Free incoming text messages – Go ahead and give out your number. Incoming texts are free, and because you’ll have a local country number, your contacts can send you a message exactly as if they were texting your cell phone. Outgoing charges apply.
• Free support and test calls – Calls to Pulsar are always free so you can manage your account or get support from the field. Test calls are also free, this is useful to make sure you’re familiar with dialing the phone and make sure it’s working before an emergency.
• Clean gear: Pulsar delivers phones that are fully refurbished (or sometimes new). All phones are tested, fully charged, and sanitized.
• Purchase Credits: Pulsar gives you a purchase credit based on your rental price at the end of the rental term – this gives you the best of both worlds: the flexibility of renting up front, with a reduced purchase price when you’re ready to commit.

1. Place your order online
   • With Pulsar you get the rental of the phone and access for one price and pay only for the minutes you use.
2. What’s in the box? Each rental product specifically includes:
   • Satellite Handset/Device
   • Charged Battery
   • AC/DC Charger with international adapters
   • Instruction Manual
   • Dialing Instructions
   • Custom Satellite Phone Hard Carry Case
   • Pulsar SIM Card
   • Copy of Rental Contract
   • Return Shipping Label
3. Make your first call – Satphones are similar to cell phones – but not the same. Make a free test call from home or office to be sure you’re familiar with how it works before you’re in the field.
4. Use the Phone – Make and receive calls just like you would on a cell phone. You can monitor your usage online at selfcare.pulsarbeyond.com and if you have any questions or need support, contact us at +1-865-379-8723 or by email at info@pulsarbeyond.com.
5. Return the phone - Every phone comes with a prepaid return shipping. You can also choose to renew your rental, rent a different phone, or purchase it.

It’s important to understand when, where, and how you will use your satellite phone rental. Choose the wrong phone and you could end up frustrated or with a phone that will not work for you. Let us help you find the right rental device for you. Call us for a free satellite phone rental consultation.

The main things to consider are:

Where will you use the satphone? Satellite phones need a clear view of the sky in order to register and connect to the satellite constellation. Each satellite network constellation orbits differently providing advantages and disadvantages depending on where you use their service.

Bottom line: If you’re going anywhere mountainous, or on land in the far north or south, rent an Iridium device. On the water or near the equator you will get excellent performance and save some money with the Inmarsat IsatPhone 2, or in Africa, Europe, Middle East, or Australia consider Thuraya.

How will you use the satphone? Voice only? Text messages? If so, a little or a lot? Weather forecasts and email?

Bottom line for voice and text messages: If you want to keep it simple with voice calls and a few texts, get any of the handheld phones, based on your coverage and budgetary needs.

Bottom line for heavy texting, weather forecasts and email: The Iridium GO! Works with your smartphone and uses apps to text or give you weather updates and even email. It takes some setup and reliance on your smartphone, which might not work in extreme cold or with gloved hands, but if you prioritize those services over ruggedness, it’s an easy and affordable way to get the services you need.

How much will you use the satphone? If you are just using a satellite phone for emergencies, you will want a phone that gives you the most reliable service when in crisis mode. All of the handheld satellite phones provide access to emergency services that can be a literal lifesaver if set up properly. Also consider how many minutes you will use since different products have different airtime pricing.

• Pulsar Rental Application Form (.pdf)
• Pulsar Rental Terms and Conditions (.pdf)