Need advice on satellite phones for AK trip (Wasilla: to rent, safety)

[RMD3819]

Wife and I and one friend are RVing to AK this summer in two RVs. We have all made this trip before.

Recognizing there are huge sections of the AK highway without cell service we have decided to rent satellite phones for the trip. Research seems to indicate some providers have better coverage than others but no one carrier has total or at least the best coverage.

Any advice? We are willing to get two different carriers in order to get the most comprehensive coverage.

[Northrick]

Is this for safety, or do you want to be able to talk to people? If the former, an InReach might be the best option. If the latter then I think Iridium is your best bet. That said, satellite phones never seem to work as well as you want.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by Northrick

Is this for safety, or do you want to be able to talk to people? If the former, an InReach might be the best option. If the latter then I think Iridium is your best bet. That said, satellite phones never seem to work as well as you want.

Safety. I can see the value of the InReach but would want two way voice calls.

[OurNextAdventure]

Honestly, it isn't really necessary. With the Canadian border opening up to vaccinated tourists, I predict this summer being busier than ever with tourists. We have cell service in a lot more places now. Between Wasilla and Denali, I think I lost service for less than a half hour. There will be so many people on the road, if you did have an issue, I doubt you will be alone for long without someone coming across you.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by OurNextAdventure

Honestly, it isn't really necessary. With the Canadian border opening up to vaccinated tourists, I predict this summer being busier than ever with tourists. We have cell service in a lot more places now. Between Wasilla and Denali, I think I lost service for less than a half hour. There will be so many people on the road, if you did have an issue, I doubt you will be alone for long without someone coming across you.

How about the AK Highway? There are huge areas with no cell service in the Yukon and BC.

[Frostnip]

Disregard if you're already familiar with the Covid restrictions, but just in case: are you aware that Canada is only allowing travel by road between the Lower 48 and Alaska if someone is moving house, traveling for work, or a handful of other similarly necessary situations?

[ejisme]

I'll add a question: We have On-Star in the Chevy Truck. It's supposed to work most anywhere, but have never had to push the blue button, except to test it once in the middle of nowhere Idaho. It worked. Does On-Star work on the Alaska Hwy and around Alaska for emergency communication?

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

Disregard if you're already familiar with the Covid restrictions, but just in case: are you aware that Canada is only allowing travel by road between the Lower 48 and Alaska if someone is moving house, traveling for work, or a handful of other similarly necessary situations?

Is that still the case? I thought they relaxed those restrictions a while back. Of course, with omicron running around, all bets are off as to what's going to happen in 2022.

[riceme]

They did. Here are their travel requirements/restrictions


https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/tr...s/wizard-start

[OurNextAdventure]

Originally Posted by RMD3819

How about the AK Highway? There are huge areas with no cell service in the Yukon and BC.

I wouldn't say huge. Not anymore. I did the trip in March of this year. There are spots, but it's so much better now.