The price of new technology starts out high but falls dramatically once they become mass-market. This is because manufacturers are able to achieve economies of scale. For example, think of how much the price of flat screen televisions have fallen the past 5 years. Unfortunately, the demand for satellite direct phones is still not that high. They are quite expensive, especially when compared to cellular ones. While you can get a cell phone for less than $20, satellite direct phones often cost hundreds. This high cost extends to the monthly plans, as companies must spread the high cost of maintaining dozens of satellite directs over significantly fewer customers. The discounts given tend to be large customers such as multinational firms and non-profits. It is possible to spend a great deal of money on a satellite direct phone plan if you don't know what you are doing. Here are some tips on saving money.

First of, you should consider buying a refurbished phone. There is a stigma to buying things used. But satellite direct phones are built to be durable because they are used in remote locations. So a used one is often just as good as a new one. Be aware though that phone technology keeps getting better. Newer ones are often much lighter and smaller than older ones. So if weight and mass is a priority, it might make sense to pay the extra money and get a new one.

No matter what, satellite direct technology going to be your most expensive option. If you can it might be worth it to use a combination of communication devices. For example, maybe you can use a cellular phone or Skype in a internet cafe by going into a town every week. That way you could just use your satellite direct phone for emergencies. If this is possible you could possibly go with a prepaid plan rather than an expensive monthly plan with a yearly commitment.