Re-opening this topic. Need to organise something.

Thanks for the comments so far.

I don't think I have actually ever used a satphone so have no idea about them. As said did carry Claydogs and know how to turn it on and make a call. But never used it.

I do like the idea of being able to run on a standard card's data allowance. Especially if say a prepaid card with a data allowance worked. No need to=hen to pay for a monthly subscription for an un-necessary satphone when not needed. I did ask about this in a Telstra shop and 1. they probably have no idea about it, and 2. if they do won't tell you. My plans with Telstra all now have a Australia only restriction for both calls and data. And even the Telstra shop tells people to buy an overseas mobile phone instead of using your Aust Telstra mobile account.

So, does anyone have any more recommendations, makes, models etc to have a detailed look at? Thanks .