If satellite phone rates, mainly Iridium and Inmarsat, have not evolved in the United States., this is not the case in France. After storage removal of products remained on the shelves, new supplies from distributors saw a sharp increase. Indeed, the combined action of Euro decline and French VAT rise obligated to a significant prices increase, both the material as communication SIM vouchers, prepaid or postpaid.
The tables below show the prices charged by one of the best-placed French suppliers.
Above 10% increase for Iridium 9575 "Extreme" (with SIM card), more than 13% for an IsatPhone 2 (with SIM card), 16% for an Iridium prepaid plan 200 minutes / 6 months, The bill is heavy.
The Iridium GO! (with SIM card) increased by 10% down to 979 €.
All of this is not very positive at the beginning of boating season for boaters who wish to equip themselves to offshore navigations. Satellite phones remaining the best mean to receive weather files and maps in open seas.
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