FAQ

There are several ways to track satellite phones. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco nonprofit, has written about the potential risks journalists face when using satellite phones for reporting. Some satellite phones can be tracked using radio frequency emissions, which are easily received by a trained technician. Another method is to use a tracking device, such as an Iridium Extreme, to send position reports on a scheduled basis. In order to track a satellite phone, the phone must be powered on and registered with the network.

The technology for tracking a satellite phone is fairly accurate. It looks at the world from space and combines the signals of cell towers and other devices to determine the exact location of the device. However, consumer-grade tracking devices are rarely accurate enough to pinpoint the exact location of the phone to within a few inches. They're often off by 32 to 98 feet, or 10 to 30 meters, or as much as 164 feet. The professional-grade trackers are more reliable.

The accuracy of satellite-based tracking depends on several factors. Because of the large number of users and different types of phones, not all phones are capable of being tracked by satellite. For example, some cellular phones don't have the hardware to track by a satphone, while Treo and BlackBerry are popular brands that can be tracked by satellite. In addition to the limitations of a satellite-based tracking device, smartphones without a trilateration chip rely on WiFi and cell towers to get the location.

Although the technology used to track satellite phones is fairly accurate, it is rarely accurate enough to pinpoint a phone's position to a few inches. The most accurate consumer-grade trackers are about 32 to 98 feet off, and as high as 164 feet. Military and professional-grade trackers generally perform better. They do not require the assistance of a third-party. If you have a smartphone, satellite phone tracking may be a great option.

As long as a satellite phone is within range of a GPS tower, you can use a satellite phone tracker to track its owner. Most consumer-grade trackers work in countries around the world, but they are not very accurate. These devices must be placed where they can be seen. In addition, they can also be used to monitor an individual's location in a foreign country. They work by a line of sight.

As long as a phone is within the range of the satellite, the device will be able to track the user. The technology is very accurate. Some consumer-grade trackers can trace the user's location to within an inch. If a satellite phone is within range of a cellular tower, the tracking service is more accurate than the cellular tower. Some smartphones have the hardware necessary to be tracked by satellite.