For 15 years I’ve been leading expeditions into Australia’s most remote deserts – the Simpson, the Gibson, the Great Sandy and Great Victoria – and out there, having reliable communication isn’t just ‘nice to have’ – it can be a matter of life or death.

Since they first became available in the early 1980s, I’ve always been a fan of satellite phones over the alternatives, even though the first examples were a bit cumbersome to use. Necessary steps included locating satellites with a hand-operated mini communications dish!

Nowadays, using a satphone is as simple as using a mobile. Yet not all satphones and networks are the same. On a recent expedition to the Gibson Desert, we took two phones. One was an Iridium 9505 connected with Telstra from Landwide Satellite Solutions, the other…well, it doesn’t really matter.

In the heart of the Gibson, the 9505 quickly became the preferred unit, with the other satphone dropping out in the middle of conversations, or even failing to make contact in the first place. Not exactly what we wanted with unseasonably hot temperatures over the 50 degree mark always a lurking threat to expedition members’ wellbeing!

Another plus for Landwide Satellite Solutions was the fact that company principal John Booth was on hand to answer any technical questions about operating the phone – just a call away. Not that we ended up having any questions; the Iridium 9505 was simplicity itself to use.

Thanks again Boothy, for your assistance on the Patience Well Expedition 2004.

Ian Glover