Surge in satellite phone rental to yachting market

~ Online mobile retailer reports growing interest in phones for remote areas ~

Online mobile phone retailer mPhone has reported increased interest from the yachting market in rental satellite phones this autumn. This increased awareness of satellite phone technology is believed to be the result of safety concerns, coupled with reluctance to buy the expensive phones, which can cost over £1000 each.

In contrast to the traditional model of buying a phone and paying for calls and line rental, mPhone offers simpler, more affordable rental solutions. The user pays a deposit before the phone is delivered and then post-pays the bill when the phone is returned. If the average usage surpasses a low, pre-agreed, level the line rental becomes free – otherwise it’s as little as one pound per day.

“We very much encourage our customers to actually use the phone and not pay line rental as a result,” explained Ali Mahmoud, managing director of mPhone. “If the user was on a long trip, say fifty days, and used the phone every day to the pre-agreed level, the cost would still only be 5% of the cost of buying a satellite phone. Furthermore, if you buy a phone you still have to pay call charges and rental on top of the purchase price. Finally, unlike a regular mobile phone, incoming calls to satellite phones are free,” explained Mahmoud.

“In addition, renting a satellite phone is much easier than people think,” he continued. “All the customer has to do is fill in a brief form on our Web site and click send. They will be sent a document to sign and return by fax or post. A couple of days before their trip a courier will arrive with the phone - it’s as simple as that,” continued Mahmoud.

“It makes sense to book the phone well in advance though. By doing this you can have your number supplied early on. As a result, you are able to let all the interested parties have it in plenty of time. This ensures the logistics of the journey run smoothly,” he concluded.

Satellite phones are rugged and mobile telephones designed for use in remote areas or situations where a normal mobile phone wouldn’t be able to provide network coverage. Most models offer SMS functionality similar to a regular mobile phone as well as data capability, allowing users to access e-mail and surf the Web wherever they are. The mPhone range includes the Inmarsat mini-M, with voice fax and data services and the Iridium satellite phone, one of the smallest phones on the market.

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For further information contact: Ali Mahmoud,
mPhone Ltd, 191-192 Temple Chambers, London, EC4Y 0DB
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7583 6859
Fax: +44 (0) 870 7500 755
e-mail: ali@mphone.co.uk
www: www.mphone.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk

About mPhone Ltd: mPhone is a service led online mobile phone retailer, specialising in SIM free mobile phones but also providing contract phones, rental phones, insurance, ring tones and accessories. Brands include i-mate, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Siemens, Sony Ericson and Panasonic.

Ref: MPH007/08/06