What Should ‘Flagfall’ Mean On My Satellite Phone Airtime Contract?
Hi. My name is John Whitley and I’m the founder of SatellitePhoneSales.com.au, Australia’s number one online satellite communications store.
In this post I would like to answer one of the most frequent inquiries I get through any individual looking into satellite handsets in Australia, “What should ‘flagfall’ imply on my satellite telephone airtime agreement?”?”
At the time of writing, the two networks available in Australia are Thuraya and Iridium.
Thuraya can only be purchased through an Optus authorised satellite phone dealer. When you look at their airtime policies you will find the word ‘flagfall’.
The Iridium network can be purchased from a number or dealers including Telstra, Pivotel, SatellitePhoneSales.com.au and Iridiumdirect.com.au, to name just a few.
With all these dealers, dig a little deeper into their airtime contracts and you’ll find costings for flagfall.
‘Flagfall’ is a industry term for the connection fee charged for making a call from your satellite cell phone to any individual: landline, mobile and even another satellite phone. These consist of 40c to 60c each call.
“That’s very little,” I hear you say and you’re right. That it is not much for one call. That it is not much for one call. However depending on how often you use your satellite phone, this can really accumulate~{However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up}~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up~However depending on how frequently you use your satellite phone, this can really add up}.
What happens is you think you are paying one price for each 30secs of your call, but the truth is you will pay a higher charge for the first 30secs because of the flagfall.
My advice regarding this? Customer warning.
Look for a satellite dealership such as SatellitePhoneSales.com.au that will not cost a flagfall. That way you know what you’re in for and you won’t be getting bills that are higher than you expected.
The next issue I frequently get is, “What if the connection breaks and I need to redial, do i get billed the flagfall again?” The answer is ‘yes’.
To summarise, a flagfall is really a connection fee, therefore every time you connect you'll be charged that fee.
Will every satellite service provider and dealer charge a flagfall?
The answer is ‘no’. Most do but you tend to find the online retailers don't. This may be down to lower overheads or a different business mentality. Be sure you shop around.
I have faith you found these details useful. If you’d like to know anything more about satellite phones and how to save money on yours, please contact us.
We’ll be happy to help you.
See our website for more free advice and to learn all you need to know about satellite phones.
Visit www.SatellitePhoneSales.com.au or call us on 1300 197 600.
Tagged: iridium 9555, iridium 9555 satellite mobile phone, iridium 9555 satellite phone, iridium satellite phone, rent a satellite phone, rent iridium satellite phone, rent satellite phone, sat phone, satellite, satellite communication renta, satellite communication rental
Got something to say? Click here to reply
