I came across a news article saying that a new GSM phone (TerreStar Genus) with a back-up satellite coverage (not the whole world) should probably hit the market soon. It doesn't look like complete replacement for PLB or dedicated satellite phone to me. They should have made it at least rugged (unless it is rugged). But interesting nonetheless.

http://www.terrestar.com/genus.php

I would be hesitant to buy into this technology.

I work in this industry, and know for a fact that GSM will begin to be phased out before or during 2012. Currently UMTS is replacing or has replaced GSM in all but rural areas of North America, and LTE is already being deployed. In fact our current joke is by the time the UMTS deployment is complete in late 2011, it will be obsolete due to the LTE deployment.

LTE will be in totally different frequency bands so the older devices just won't work, hence the overlap between UMTS decommissioning, and LTE deployment.

Sat phones and UMTS do not work and play well together due to timing issue, so unless this company can make the jump from GSM to LTE (not likely), this phone will reach obsolescence long before your contract runs out.

Additionally, there are some misnomers running around out there:

GSM = 2.5G
UMTS = 3.0G
LTE (1st edition) = 3.5G
LTE = 4.0G

In 2000 when many North American carriers lauded GSM as 3G, it was really just catching up with the rest of the planet which started with GSM.

If you want a SATPHONE, get a SATPHONE 'tis the moral of the story.

Thanks for the explanation.
At least this phone should support 3G from what I read.