Hurricane Phone Available for $4,995

[geothorn]

Hurricane Phone Available for $4,995

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 7, 2006
Filed at 7:12 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- Southerners worried a hurricane will leave them without phones can now buy a ''Personal Hurricane Kit'' for just $4,995.

The kit, launched last month by Assemble Communications LLC of Davidson, N.C., comes in a watertight suitcase and features a battery-powered Inmarsat satellite antenna and handset. It also comes with cables to connect a computer to Inmarsat's broadband Internet service.

The price includes 400 minutes of talk time that don't expire until used and 150 megabytes of Internet access -- enough for about two days of average surfing.

Those who don't need broadband access or don't want a six-pound kit may be satisfied with cheaper, standalone satellite phones.

Assemble Communications LLC web site.

Hurricane Preparedness Broadband Communication Kit web page.

It appears that, once again, "Necessity is the mother of invention," or, perhaps, 'Attacks of panic may cause panic spending.'

I don't, as yet, have a so-called "Hurricane Phone," but, I believe that it could function as a multiple catastrophe phone, for possible use in earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, car accidents, 'routine' emergencies, etc. It looks like a good idea, if one might live in a natural or manmade disaster-prone area.

However, one has to wonder how well others' phones, including 911 telephone services, will be operating, in a widespread local or national emergency. In a large-scale emergency, would satellite phones be less likely to get tied-up by usage overloads than cell or landline telephones...?

GeoThorn

 

[Midget]

i think, in light of hurricanes and similar natural disasters, 5 grand could be a lot better spent than on a phone. maybe for a plane ticket. or disaster insurance. or a better salary for rescue workers.

 

[kamkazmoto]

I don't think that 911 services would be available since that would depend on locan phone service to contact the police, fire ect. 5 grand is a lot of money to call you grandma and let her know that you are OK, better to spend 5 grand on a BOB/survival kit and a place to run to. That being said, I WANT ONE!!!!

 

[geothorn]

I agree with you guys. $4,995 can buy a lot of other emergency/survival gear, beyond a telephone, and I never have been one to call for help.

If, after I feel completely prepared, with "too much food and water," etc. and I still have an 'extra' $4,995 laying around, then my next purchase would be the satellite phone.

GeoThorn

 

[mad cow]

I have got satillite phone service through Globalstar,about $70 a month for 150 minutes,a buck a minute if I run over.Larger and smaller plans are available and you can switch them when you want,e.g. going to a smaller plan for a few months a year during slack times.

The phone was about $400 or so,I bought a bunch of stuff with it to make calls from the inside of a steel boat but it works just fine by itself if I walk out on deck with it.I believe service is world wide and it can be charged up with 110 V or 12 volt DC,just like any cell phone.

I have no idea what that dude is trying to sell for five grand but Sat phones and service,while not exactly cheap,aren't that ridiculous.

 

[beefangusbeef]

That's not a bad deal at all on the satellite phone. I went on a hunt and there was this CEO from mexico who spent 4-5 hours a day on it. I was amazed it must have cost a boatload, but when you leave your job for 2 months to complete a non-stop grandslam I guess it's worth it!

 

[warrior24]

Hmmm and the satisfaction of spending 5 grand on a phone priceless.

Its a waste of money

 

[Gollnick]

That's not a bad deal at all on the satellite phone.

Exactly. And there are a lot of people for whom one phone call made at the right time may easily be worth $50,000 or $500,000 or more. So, five grand to be able to make that call when everything else is in shambles may very well be worth the cost.