The Impossibility Of Containing The Other Satellite Services

Times of unrest, such as those experienced recently in countries like Egypt, are opportunities for the countries government to try to stifle organizational attempts by the opposition and spread the word to everyone concerned about what is really going on. These events have led Egypt for example to shut down the country's internet service and halt all organizing on a massive scale. These governments always play the "threat to national security" card and blame the internet and other electronic devices for fueling much of the trouble and is an official real threat.

The truth is that many different types of communication can actually be very easily cut off. The government can pull the plug or block many things quite easily and then have it's citizenry isolated for the most part from the outside world. The people can't communicate with others either inside or outside of the country and that can really slow things down when they really want for people to know what is happening and to gather numbers to protest.

Egypt successfully stopped all internet, cell phone, home phone, satellite and cable TV communication to the outside world as well as communication between members of the opposition. Factors like the vast expanse of desert and the absence of other country coverage spillover, as well as an agreement between all telecommunications companies working within Egyptian borders to shut down all communications whenever the government deems it necessary, for any reasons. Egypt is not alone in holding such agreements should any other country see the need to take similar actions against its population.

It is a whole other story though when they technology they are trying to silence is satellite based. Turning off cell phones and the internet does not affect a satellite phone or satellite broadband internet service. That fact alone makes satellite services very attractive.

The huge and heavy cost of a sat phone is enough to keep many people from having the phone and the ones that do have them handy have enough money so they are usually not the cause for the internal problems toward the countries government leaders. Another fact to consider is that most all satellites being put up belong to and are funded and owned by large international companies and governments, who have no problem turning off the services when necessary.

Satellite phones will not be hampered during most any type of situation. There is also satellite broadband that gives incredibly reliable connectivity as well.