Satellite Phone Loan Program
Global Safety offers a free satellite phone (SAT phone) loan program for Penn Staters traveling to remote global locations for academic purposes.
This program is available to those traveling alone or leading groups to remote or rural areas with limited or no cellular service, thereby ensuring a continuous line of communication should an emergency arise.
Application Form
Applicants are required to complete a SAT Phone Request form, which includes a description of previous international travel experience, the proposed travel for which the SAT phone will be needed, and how the SAT phone will contribute to the traveler’s health and safety.
Approved applicants must be briefed by Global Safety staff on the proper operation and usage of the device before receiving their SAT phone.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current, full-time faculty, staff, or students at Penn State University whose international travel is defined as University-Affiliated International Travel. Applicable international travel must be registered and successfully processed through the Global Safety Network (GSN) or through Education Abroad before requesting a SAT phone. The trip must be scheduled to start within one month of the request. The international destination must be a remote or rural location with inconsistent, very limited, or no cell phone coverage.
Usage
SAT phone devices connect to your personal cell phone via Bluetooth. Once paired, these devices allow you to make texts or e-mails via your personal device by connecting your phone to a worldwide satellite network. SAT phone messaging should only be used in the event of emergency.
Watch this short video to learn how having a SAT phone can help in an emergency situation!
Application Review Process
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Following the application review, a Global Safety representative will contact the recipient with more details. Recipients will be expected to return their SAT phone to Global Safety within one week of their travel end date.
Questions can be directed to Global Safety at globalsafety@psu.edu or +1-814-863-8788.
This program is available to those traveling alone or leading groups to remote or rural areas with limited or no cellular service, thereby ensuring a continuous line of communication should an emergency arise.
Application Form
Applicants are required to complete a SAT Phone Request form, which includes a description of previous international travel experience, the proposed travel for which the SAT phone will be needed, and how the SAT phone will contribute to the traveler’s health and safety.
Approved applicants must be briefed by Global Safety staff on the proper operation and usage of the device before receiving their SAT phone.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current, full-time faculty, staff, or students at Penn State University whose international travel is defined as University-Affiliated International Travel. Applicable international travel must be registered and successfully processed through the Global Safety Network (GSN) or through Education Abroad before requesting a SAT phone. The trip must be scheduled to start within one month of the request. The international destination must be a remote or rural location with inconsistent, very limited, or no cell phone coverage.
Usage
SAT phone devices connect to your personal cell phone via Bluetooth. Once paired, these devices allow you to make texts or e-mails via your personal device by connecting your phone to a worldwide satellite network. SAT phone messaging should only be used in the event of emergency.
Watch this short video to learn how having a SAT phone can help in an emergency situation!
Application Review Process
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Following the application review, a Global Safety representative will contact the recipient with more details. Recipients will be expected to return their SAT phone to Global Safety within one week of their travel end date.
Questions can be directed to Global Safety at globalsafety@psu.edu or +1-814-863-8788.
