The satellite phone market has changed significantly in the past two years. Here's what's actually worth buying in 2026 — and why the answer depends on what you're trying to do. Satellite phones used to be expensive, bulky, and confusing. You needed a specialist to set one up, a separate contract to run it, and a decent amount of patience every time you wanted to make a call. That's no longer the case. The devices available between 2010-2026 are faster, smarter, more connecte

Three brands dominate the South African video intercom market. One of them does something the others can't. Here's the honest breakdown before you spend your money. Walk into any security retailer in South Africa right now and you'll see the same three names on the shelf: Hikvision, Commax, and increasingly, Fanvil. The price points look similar. The boxes all promise HD video, remote door unlocking, and crystal-clear audio. So how do you actually pick the right one? We stock

If you've been searching for a satellite phone in South Africa, the first thing you'll notice is the price range is huge — from R15,800 all the way to R47,000+. So which one do you actually need, and where can you save money without compromising on coverage? This guide breaks it down simply. The Cheapest Option: Thuraya XT-LITE — R15,800 The Thuraya XT-LITE is the most affordable satellite phone available in South Africa right now. It comes with a SIM card and 10 units of air

The Starlink Situation: Why You're Still Waiting If you're reading this in South Africa, you've likely been waiting for Starlink since Elon Musk first tweeted about "coming soon" in 2021. Here's the reality check: Starlink is still not legally available in South Africa as of early 2026 , and the earliest possible launch is now late 2026 or 2027—assuming no litigation delays. The BEE Roadblock Explained The delay isn't technical—it's regulatory. South Africa's Electronic Commu

The Affordable Satellite Phone South Africans Have Been Waiting For For years, South Africans looking for an affordable satellite phone had limited options. Many devices available locally were expensive, often overkill for basic voice communication, and priced for heavy commercial users rather than everyday adventurers, farmers, or security teams. But that has now changed. The Thuraya XT-LITE  has officially become the most affordable satellite phone option available in South

In South Africa, we’ve all heard the stories. Armed robbers arrive at a remote site. Within seconds, cellphones lose signal. Two-way radios go silent. CCTV stops streaming. The team on the ground is cut off. Signal jamming is no longer a theory. It’s a real-world tactic used to isolate a location before a break-in, hijacking or coordinated attack. This is where satellite communication changes the game. If you are running security at a remote farm, mining site, logistics yard,

Dashcams are no longer niche accessories reserved for fleet vehicles or ride-hailing drivers. In 2026, they have become a near-essential upgrade for everyday motorists in South Africa. Rising insurance fraud, staged accidents, smash-and-grab incidents, and disputed accident claims have made video evidence one of the most powerful tools a driver can have. While there are dozens of dashcams on the market, one model continues to stand out as the most practical, reliable, and bes

Overview: What the Iridium GO! exec Is (and Isn’t) The Iridium GO! exec is a portable satellite communications hub  built on Iridium’s Certus 100 network. Unlike older satellite hotspots, it combines Wi-Fi data, direct voice calling, and messaging  in a single rugged unit designed for marine, expedition, aviation, and remote land use. It is not  designed for streaming, video calls, or heavy browsing. Instead, it excels at: Reliable email and messaging WhatsApp text and voice

If you spend any time working, travelling, or adventuring outside reliable mobile coverage in South Africa, you’ll already know the problem: when cellular signal ends, connectivity usually ends with it . For years, satellite phones filled that gap for voice and basic text. But modern life demands more than just calling home – we need email, messaging, weather updates, logistics coordination, and emergency data access. That is exactly where the Iridium GO Exec Satellite Inter

When we first unpacked the Reolink Duo 2 PoE 4K Camera , we expected a good camera. Reolink has built a solid reputation for affordable but reliable security solutions. But after spending time installing it, testing it at day and night, and comparing real-world performance with what other reviewers have reported, our impressions quickly shifted. This camera isn’t just  good. It’s one of the most impressive wide-angle outdoor security cameras we’ve tested—and the value for mo

When it comes to home security in South Africa, most of us think of the basics first: a sturdy gate, an alarm, maybe a camera or two. And while those are all important, there’s one highly underrated upgrade that makes a massive difference to your personal safety —a video intercom for your driveway gate . For years, traditional audio-only gate intercoms were the norm. You press the button, you hear a voice, and you decide whether to open. Simple, yes. But in today’s world, sim

If you’ve spent enough time on South African trails—whether it’s the Drakensberg, the Cederberg, the Otter Trail, or even the quieter forests of Mpumalanga —you already know one uncomfortable truth: cell phone signal disappears exactly when you need it most . It’s almost predictable. The moment you think, “Let me quickly message someone to say we’re running late,” the network vanishes. For most hikers, this is just an annoyance. But for anyone who has faced an emergency in th

South Africans are far more security-aware than most countries in the world — and with good reason. Whether you live in a freestanding home, a townhouse complex, a smallholding or even a gated estate, one reality is universal: you need to know exactly who is at your gate before opening it. Gone are the days of walking outside to check, shouting through the gate, or relying on old-school intercoms with crackly audio. A video doorbell intercom  has now become one of the most pr

If you’ve ever driven through Joburg traffic during load-shedding chaos, navigated a long N1 trip through the Karoo, or parked your car overnight in areas where “smash-and-grab” isn’t just a rumour — you’ll understand why a reliable dash cam is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using the Garmin Dash Cam Live  as my everyday in-car camera. After testing it in real South African conditions, I can confidently say: this is the most complete,

When Garmin releases a new watch, you know it’s going to be something special — but the Garmin Venu 4  surprised even us. After spending several weeks testing it in real-world conditions, from morning runs and gym sessions to everyday office life, we can confidently say this is one of the most complete health-focused smartwatches Garmin has ever made. It doesn’t just track your steps; it helps you genuinely understand your body and your habits . We’ve worn, charged, trained,

Imagine sailing across the ocean, driving deep into the desert, or working in the middle of nowhere — and still being able to send a WhatsApp message, check your email, or get a weather update. That’s exactly what the Iridium GO! Exec  delivers — true global internet connectivity  through satellite, even when there’s absolutely no cell coverage for hundreds of kilometres. Available now from SatComms South Africa , the Iridium GO! Exec is more than just a satellite communicati

In South Africa, where businesses often operate across remote regions, farms, mines, and rugged terrain, efficient field team coordination can make or break productivity. Connectivity is not always guaranteed — especially in rural areas where mobile networks fade. That’s where Garmin GPS devices from SatComms  step in as essential business tools, not just outdoor gadgets. Why Field Teams Need Dedicated GPS Devices Modern smartphones rely on cellular networks to deliver locati

When Garmin announced the new Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus , we knew we had to put it to the test. As South Africa’s go-to specialists in satellite communication and rugged outdoor tech, we rely on Garmin gear every day — from tracking overland routes in Namibia to testing SOS coverage in the Drakensberg. So we spent the past few weeks testing the H1i Plus in real-world conditions — dusty trails, mountain ridges, and even deep valleys with no cell coverage. Here’s what we found. Fi

Satellite phones remain indispensable lifelines in 2025, despite the widespread adoption of 5G technology. While testing satellite...

In a twist of irony, South Africa — the birthplace of Elon Musk — remains one of the few countries in Africa where Starlink is still not...