We have practical experience with the Iridium sat phone. It is a practical, though expensive, solution to communicating with the rest of the world from really remote areas.
Since our land on Taurus Mesas in South Brewster County is so remote, the only telephone that will work without a land line is the sat phone. No chance at all of a cell phone working. Internet is through a 9-mile highly directional WiFi lash up from a DSL line on the highway, but you cannot move around with that. The sats are all over the place - you don't need just a southern sky. I get a usable signal about 90% of the time when I turn it on. If not, just wait a few minutes and another sat comes into view. You do have to have clear sky overhead - won't work well under an overhang or in the tropical jungle (tree cover messes up the signal), but what the hey - this is the Big Bend or the Guadalupes. There, it is quite reliable. And it works everywhere in North America and the Caribbean. I've used it in the Black Hills, Death Valley, Montana, and elsewhere (like between Carlsbad and Terlingua - once away from the interstates cell coverage becomes squirrely). Actually, all over the world, but we would have to buy greater coverage. Remember, I was used to remoteness in the Big Bend and Lower Canyons in the 60s and 70s. Paddled like hell for 2 days to get a snake-bit companion out. With a really serious injury, you would die. No chance for any communication out - you were on your own. I admit the communication capabilities of the modern world are nice to have available for emergency situations, especially as I become more mature. But I really like being away from being linked in. It ain't cheap. If I had to buy it and the service just to have for emergencies on cave or back country trips, I would not do it. There is a greater chance of your getting whacked in your truck on the highway in more populated areas. There, cell phone is more likely to work. Additionally, someone else will probably come along with one that will. DirtDoc
