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Happy 21st Birthday to Mobell !!
February 16, 2010
It was exactly 21 years ago we took delivery of our first five mobile phones.
They were Motorola 4500x “transportable” models. They weighed 3.5Kg and cost £350 each. Just two weeks later we bought our first “hand portable” phones, the NEC 9A. At less than 1Kg these were the lightest on the market, and cost £649 each.
These phones were on the Vodafone network (called Racal-Vodac at the time), but disappointingly there was no Vodafone signal at our office, so we had to drive them all out to a nearby hill in order to test them between rentals! 
New Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro
February 15, 2010
Inmarsat recently announced details of it’s new IsatPhone Pro handheld satellite phone.
This will be Inmarsat’s first handheld sat phone and is aimed directly at taking market share from Iridium and the ailing Globalstar network.
Benefits:
Global coverage
Robust handset
Long battery life
Easy to use
Reliable connection
Clear voice quality
Panic Over!
August 26, 2008
Some of you may have noticed that we have been offline for the last 2 days, due to technical problems. We’re OK now, but please accept our apologies if it caused you any inconvenience.
What is D-AMPS?
July 14, 2008
Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System
D-AMPS is designed to be compatible with the older analog AMPS technology, which is widely deployed in the U.S. TDMA is used as an enhancement to the AMPS network by the use of dual band AMPS / TDMA (or D-AMPS) phones. Use of these phones gives the widespread coverage of the AMPS networks along with some advantages of digital systems in areas where TDMA networks are available.
International Websites
July 10, 2008
In order to serve our international customers we have websites for residents of America and Japan. Please note neither Mobell Communications Ltd or Mobal Communications Inc are in any way associated with the U.S. Bell Telephone Companies.
Cellular phone rental for Japanese residents
Based in Tokyo, Mobell Japan offers international phone rental with English speaking customer support.
Cell phone and satellite phone rental for US residents
Based in New York, Mobal offers cellular and satellite phone rental, as well as GSM purchase packages.
European cell phone service
Mobal’s service for visitors to Europe. Flat-rate prices mean that it’s simple for the European traveler to keep on top of costs.
What is GSM?
July 10, 2008
Global System for Mobile Communications
The GSM network was developed in response to a need for a system, which could be used all over Europe and would allow its users to receive and make calls from a number which was not attributable to any geographical area. The GSM system was designed to also enable the customer to be billed by just one operator and pay for only one line rental.
GSM is the most widespread mobile system and is now used by more than 50% of the phones worldwide, which was largely as a result of early standardisation by the European authorities. It is available in over 170 countries, although there are now four different frequencies upon which it operates; 450, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz.
New Counter Opened in Narita Airport, Japan
July 10, 2008
Mobell Japan has opened a new counter in Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.
Located by Departures in Narita’s Terminal 1, the counter provides flexible mobile communication solutions for business travellers and tourists alike.
From the new counter, you will be able to either purchase or rent GSM mobile phones and Mobell SIM cards.
Take the hassle out of travelling
For frequent travellers, the offer to purchase a GSM mobile phone and Mobell SIM card before you travel will help take the hassle out of all your future trips.
You will receive just one phone number that will not change, no matter where you are calling from. You will have to make just one initial payment for the handset and SIM card, after that you only pay for your call charges. There are no monthly line rental costs.
For travellers needing a mobile phone for a short period of time, Mobell will offer an easy to use rental service.
All you pay for is the rental of the handset and the call charges. Again, you need only one phone number and there are no monthly line rental costs. There is no need to reserve in advance, just visit the store and go.
For both the rental and purchase offers, bi-lingual support is available in Japanese and English.
If you are travelling from Narita Airport and need to keep in contact then visit our counter and take advantage of these great services.
Satellite Phones help develop ‘Backpack Journalists’ in Iraq
July 7, 2008
Sending journalists out to report on unrest in the Middle East is not a new concept for the media; news articles from the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq have dominated recent times.
However, the difference in Iraq is the technology they are using to file their reports, it has undergone something of a technological revolution. Access to specialist satellite equipment is open to more people than ever before.
MOBELL EQUIPS FRONT LINE REPORTERS
Mobell has helped equip the only two Midlands based journalists with some of the hardware they need to report ‘up to the minute’ news from the front lines in Iraq.
Deputy editor Keith Harrison and photographer Alan Evans of the Express & Star have hired an Iridium Satellite phone to use alongside their RBGAN satellite modem and Apple G3 laptop computer in the Gulf as part of their standard equipment.
Using the Iridium network of 66 satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 450 miles, the journalists will be able to speak to their news desk back in England without having to rely on the Iraqi telephone networks that could become a military target. Express & Star deputy editor Keith Harrison with Iridium satellite phone
SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES USER FRIENDLY
The use of satellite phones is not a totally new development for war reporters, they were used in the Gulf War back in 1991, the difference lies in the size and availability of satellite phones. Today, instead of having to operate 40kg units that needed generators or mains power, journalists are able to use handsets like the Iridium satellite phone that weighs a much friendlier 382g and, operates much like a standard mobile phone.
Also, as is the case with all technologies, the more developed they become the lower the prices go. Now it is not just the media market leaders that can afford to use satellite technology but many freelancers and smaller companies as well.
REATER MEDIA COVERAGE
The term ‘Backpack Journalist’ has been coined to describe this new generation of reporters who are using compact, light weight satellite technology such as the Iridium satellite phone; one person with one pack can carry all the equipment needed to file news reports. As a result it is easier for them to operate from the thick of the action.
What this means for people back home is more spontaneous, independent and ‘up to the minute’ information from the world’s danger zones.
Cell Phone Shopping
July 7, 2008
A guide to cell phone shopping online
Finding cell phones that suit your needs takes time. However, ever since the launch of HandCellPhone.com, shopping for free cell phones has become an easy and fun task. Simply browse their website, pick the phone that you like and pay with your credit card.
Brick and mortal wireless shops sell latest phones that cost from $49.99 to $300 dollars. At HandCellPhone.com, you can get the latest pda phones, music phones and GPS phones for free. The website also has a very handy comparison feature allowing you to compare several phones side by side.
Besides that, you don’t have to worry about losing your current wireless phone number – HandCellPhone.com allow you to keep your phone number without interrupting your service. Visit their web store to check out latest free cell phone offers.
Satellite Phone Saves Explorer’s Lives
July 7, 2008
The rescue of two explorers from the notoriously dangerous and icy waters of the Antarctic pays testament to the invaluable service that an Iridium Satellite Phone provides.
RECORD ATTEMPT
When making provisions for their attempt to land a Robinson R44 Raven helicopter at the South Pole, the two experienced adventures, Steve Brooks and Quentin Smith, looked to Mobell to supply the solutions to the communication problems that arise when travelling in one of the world’s most inhospitable climates.
Not only does the Iridium Satellite Phone provide a reliable and truly global telephone service but also, and of equal importance, it provides peace of mind.
LIFE SAVING PHONE CALL
Thus when Brooks and Smith were forced to ditch their helicopter and bail into a life raft, they were able to raise the alarm by using the Iridium Satellite Phone to call Steve’s wife 8,000 miles away in London.
Nine hours adrift later they were picked up safe and sound, save for a bit of a chill, by the Chilean Navy. Without the valuable satellite link the consequences could have been fatal.
IRIDIUM NETWORK
The service is possible from such remote locations by utilising a network of 66 different satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 450 miles and, travelling at a staggering 16,832 miles per hour. At that speed the planet can be completely circled every 100 minutes by each satellite.
Such is the configuration that an Iridium handset can be in contact with at least one of those satellites from anywhere on the globe. The only constant that the user has to adhere to is that the handset antenna must always have a clear line of sight to the sky.
In areas such as the Antarctic, mobile phones linked to conventional networks would be completely unusable.
So if like Steve and Quentin you are thinking of embarking on adventure, be it the South Pole or just the South Downs, by taking an Iridium Satellite Phone you can be safe in the knowledge that help is only a call away, and you never know, It could make the difference between life and death.
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