What do we mean by portable? Portable and mobile are often used interchangeably in the satellite internet broadband context, and the water gets muddied even further when you bring satellite phones into the equation. For Ground Control, we define these three groups of products as follows:
- Portable: can be carried and deployed by a single person; delivers satellite broadband. Most terminals are capable of voice calls, too.
- Mobile: the device does not need to be pointed and can be used while in-motion – fixed to a car, truck or train, for example, or for rapid fixed deployment (while maritime and aviation applications can also be described as mobile, they have their own categories).
- Handheld: satellite phones. These are chiefly designed for voice rather than data, although some will deliver a small amount of data for tracking or short text messages.
Now that’s cleared up, let’s look at the best devices for your portable satellite internet needs. The key comparison points you should be looking at are:
Broadband speeds
While these portable devices cannot boast the sorts of speeds you can expect from a fibre broadband connection, they are typically used when there are no other terrestrial connections available. There’s a wide range of upload and download speeds available. If you’re not sure what speeds you’ll need, here’s a quick guide:
Devices |
Broadband Speed |
Good For |
|---|---|---|
| MCD-4800 Explorer 510 Hughes 9202M |
Up to 464 Kbps download 448 Kbps upload shared |
Phone services | Email | Instant messaging | Internet browsing | Live video broadcasting | Large file transfers | Video conferencing |
| Explorer 710 Hughes 9211 |
650 Kbps download streaming 650 Kbps upload streaming |
Faster file transfers | Video streaming connectivity | Class 1 terminals |
| MCD-MissionLINK | Up to 700 Kbps download 352 Kbps upload |
Faster file transfers | Multiple Iridium voice channels available |
| Toughsat Flyaway | 20 Mbps download 7 Mbps upload |
Live event broadcasting | Video streaming (Netflix and Youtube work well at this speed) | Multiple users | Speeds depend on size of individual networks and transmitter power |
Battery life
Self-explanatory, really; for how long will your device keep providing you with a WiFi hotspot before it needs recharging? All of the times listed below assume that the device is in active use; they have substantially longer standby times.
Devices |
Battery Life |
|---|---|
| Explorer 510 Explorer 710 |
3.5 hours |
| Hughes 9211 | 4 hours |
| MCD-4800 | 5 hours |
| Hughes 9202M | 5.5 hours |
| MCD-MissionLINK | 6 hours |
| Toughsat Flyaway | Mains powered |
Ingress Protection (IP) rating
If you’re going to be using your device outside, it’ll need some degree of ingress protection, and all of these devices are pretty robust. The Toughsat Flyaway is designed to be used outside in extreme environments, but the satellite router is designed for use indoors or in a protective IP rated enclosure.
Devices |
IP Rating |
Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Hughes 9202M Hughes 9211 |
IP55 | Not completely protected from dust ingress but will still function; will function if a water jet is pointed at it |
| Explorer 510 Explorer 710 MCD-MissionLINK |
IP66 | Completely protected from dust ingress; will function if a powerful water jet is pointed at it |
| MCD-4800 | IP67 | Completely protected from dust ingress; can be immersed in water up to 1m for up to 30 minutes |
Satellite connectivity
If you’re not familiar with how satellite orbits affect communication, it’s worth reading our blog post on the topic. The short version is that if you choose a geostationary orbit (GEO), you need to remember that the device usually needs to be pointed at the satellite (after which you’ll have a very robust connection), and that the device won’t work in the polar regions. A device connecting with satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) will work anywhere in the world, and doesn’t require pointing.
Devices |
Satellite Airtime Provider |
GEO or LEO |
|---|---|---|
| MCD-4800* Explorer 510 Explorer 710 Hughes 9202M Hughes 9211 |
Inmarsat | Geostationary |
| MCD-MissionLINK | Iridium | Low Earth Orbit |
| Toughsat Flyaway* | Ku Band VSAT Networks | Geostationary |
*These devices auto-point to the satellite
Price range
Remember that you’ll need to pay both for the device and for the airtime, so these estimates are a guide only.
Devices |
Price Range |
|---|---|
| Explorer 510 | <$2,500 |
| Hughes 9202M | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| Hughes 9211 Explorer 710 |
$4,000 – $6,000 |
| MCD-MissionLINK MCD-4800 |
$12,000 – $14,000 |
| Toughsat Flyaway | $16,000 – $20,000 |
So, it’s not a very satisfying answer, but with such a wide range of options and functionality, the best portable satellite device is the one that best meets your needs. If you need any help, that’s what we’re here for, so please get in touch.
Can We Help You?
With 20 years of experience, we can help you make the best choices for your remote renewables connectivity infrastructure.
We’re not invested in selling you a specific product or connections, just the best solution for your needs.
Call us on +44 (0) 1452 751940 (Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania) or 800 773 7168 (North and South America), complete the form, or email hello@groundcontrol.com.