Satellite phones used to be speciality devices until Smart made its SmartSat XT Lite satellite phone available to the public via its Lazada store. Yes, at PHP 38,500, it is still a niche product for a specific group of people in need of a satellite phone for their particular living/work situations. But, having a satellite phone is helpful if you need a device that can call and text even in the most remote areas in the country. This is great for people who work in industrial operations, venture out to the sea, and even during emergencies/calamities.
The device seems to be outsourced via
Thuraya, a company that specializes in global satellite operations and
communications. The Thuraya XT Lite has a rugged look with a 2.4-inch toughened
Gorilla Glass-protected outdoor display, IP55/IK05 water, dust, and shock-proof
resistance, and T9-keypad. It measures 128 x 53 x 27 mm and weighs 186 grams.
It offers an uninterrupted connection in
Satellite mode due to its advanced omnidirectional antenna. This ensures
seamless walk-and-talk functionality for calls on the go. It also has up to
80-hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of continuous talk time. It also
features an easy-to-use menu and interfaces with 12 languages available.
It also has call barring, call diverting,
conference calls, call waiting, closed user group, and voice mail. It also
features GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Alarm clock, calendar, calculator, stopwatch,
world clock, and a 2.5mm earphone jack. It can also store up to 255 contacts
using its phone memory.
Price and availability
- SmartSat XL Lite with Smart Satellite Prepaid SIM with USD 120 worth of load - PHP 38,500
- SmartSat SIM card w/ USD 225 worth of load - PHP 11,700
- SmartSat Top-up Card 100 - PHP 5,200
- SmartSat Top-up Card 250 - PHP 13,000
For those who are in the market for a
satellite phone, the SmartSat XL Lite, SIM card, and top-up cards are now
available via Smart's official Lazada store.
