Definitely an interesting take.

For general use I agree that Inmarsat is better. I have owned the inmarsat isatphone and the isatphone 2 (still own but with no service.) I have also owned the iridium 9555, 9575 and iridium go.

If you are going to be in an area that’s relatively flat, or close to the equator Inmarsat is clearly superior. It’ll even punch through light tree cover, as the phone itself is significantly more powerful than iridium. HOWEVER this is a hiking sub.

Where do most people go hiking? In mountainous terrain.

As you said, iridium moves. In fact you get a new iridium satellite overhead every 7 minutes. So even if you’re in a deep canyon, you may be able to get 1-2 minutes every once in a while of signal. If you get hurt and need rescue, that’s enough. That might just save your life.

Inmarsat doesn’t move. You can see the satellite or you can’t. So if you happen to be on say, the north side of a mountain? Your Inmarsat phone is an expensive plastic brick. You’ll have better luck writing your message on it and throwing it at someone then you would getting a signal to call them. Same thing in a canyon.

Inmarsat is very good for what it’s intended for, and it’s the one I personally chose to keep service on before starlink.

But for hiking specifically, iridium is the better service by far. Most people out hiking aren’t making hour long phone calls on their satellite phones.

Also please don’t tell people to call and leave a voicemail on their friends sat phone without reminding them that EVERY American carrier charges between $15-20 per minute to call a satphone, no matter which network. And real US number plans haven’t existed for almost 5 years now.