I have gotten a lot of email recently about satellite phones for possible use in an emergency. With GMPCS http://www.gmpcs-us.com/ now selling Globalstar phones on Ebay for $375, many are becoming interested. As a Globalstar distributor/reseller they also offer an Emergency Rate Plan with a $50 set-up fee, $240 annual fee and then 1.99 or 2.99 per minute use charges. This may be very appealing to some.

I have no experience with the company, but they are an authorized Globalstar dealer and have been around the boat and aviation shows for a few years now.

Note a few things:

Globalstar coverage in the continental U.S. and is good, as well as most of lower Canada, Europe, South America and Australia, but there are still many holes in their coverage worldwide. If worldwide coverage is required, Iridium is a better bet. Be sure to check a current coverage map if this is a concern.

Iridium is used by the U.S Government and Military, thus do not be too surprised if they hog bandwidth in the event of a conflict or other emergency.

Like all wireless devices, there are limits to the number of users at the same time using the same receivers / satellites / etc. While offering more options than cell or land line in an emergency, they are not foolproof.

Unless the phone you are calling is also a satphone number, all calls must eventually be routed through conventional landlines, with the possibility of disruption by events or overload.

Hope this helps some.