Chapter Four

Before we had wireless cell phones, we had satellite phones. Back then this was one of the main forms of communications. As the times went on it transformed into a telecommunication device. When the satellite phones first came out they were expensive and not many people could afford one. One other thing is that these phones are huge and could not be moved often. Inmarsat constellation of satellites was founded in 1979 and is known to be the first company to own satellite phones. As time progressed so did the technology of satellite phones and Inmarsat paired with another company called ACeS and together they created the first hand held phone. “Inmarsat initially operated11 satellites which covered most of the earth expect two regions.”  According to a class video posted, “satellite and portablecameras became more popular in use in 1991.” they have become more popular to use because of easy it is to use satellite devices

When it comes to photojournalist using satellite phones, it was convenient for them. One example I found was when photojournalist travel to different countries that aren’t up to technology like we are, bringing over new things can be beneficial. In Iraq they have a different system and for us to bring over satellite phones for them to see and get to know helps photojournalist over there become better, and gives them access to getting things out in the media faster. Also it gives them a new way of getting things out to their media and showing them new technology. They are able to call things in and get them to newspapers faster then word of mouth. Being able to communicate in multiple places at once really changed how things worked. This created mass communication, according to a youtube video.

Satellite technology was used before in the year 1991 during the Gulf War, according to this article I read it states, “The difference lies in the size andavailability of satellite phones. Today, instead of having to operate 40kgunits that needed generators or mains power, journalists are able to usehandsets like the Iridium satellite phone that weighs a much friendlier 382gand, operates much like a standard cell phone.” But since technology has evolved and made it easier to be used and controlled.

When it comes to using satellite devices to get pictures into the media and seems like it was a great idea at the time. Back when photojournalist had to use the Wet Plate process to even print one phone, which took multiple steps to complete. This process was used back during the civil war and at that time it was one of the best ways to get photos out so people could see them. With satellite has been recently been used since 1991 when it because portable, and once that happened it really changed photojournalism. Now you could take photos and have them and put them out in the media.

Photo By: John Konrad

http://gcaptain.com/satellite-phone-cheaper-att-verizon/

Photo By: Haje Jan Kamps

http://gcaptain.com/satellite-phone-cheaper-att-verizon/