You could be entitled to a satellite phone subsidy

THE FEDERAL Government’s Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme helps people living, working or travelling for extended periods outside areas with handheld terrestrial mobile phone coverage to purchase satellite mobile phones.
With some existing telecommunications networks being affected by the extreme flood conditions, mobile communications, particularly satellite phones, are a valuable option.
The scheme helps improve the affordability of satellite phones; it provides a subsidy of up to $1000 for eligible people and organisations.
“Before buying a satellite phone handset, I encourage people to check their eligibility for a satellite phone subsidy,” said the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
Eligible consumers include individuals, small businesses, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, indigenous corporations, emergency service organisations, health organisations and educational institutions.
In August 2009, the Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme was made more accessible for regional health and emergency service organisations, and for Australians living, working and travelling outside of areas with handheld terrestrial mobile coverage.
More information on the Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme, including the locations of registered dealers, is available online at www.dbcde.gov.au/satphone by emailing [email protected] or by calling 1800 674 058.