New system allows researchers in Antarctica to use cellphones

Previously, researchers in Antarctica were forced to use what essentially were walkie-talkies if they wanted to communicate with each other long distance. This is because there was no network coverage in Antarctica, but fortunately this has changed. Thanks to a new system from Range Networks, researchers in Antarctica can communicate with each other, and the rest of the world, using their cellphones.

While cellphone networks have managed to cover large swaths of the six most-populated continents, making a call from Antarctica isn’t so easy. Now, though, researchers in parts of Antarctica have a mobile communication option that goes beyond pricey satellite phones. A new system from Range Networks allows researchers to use ordinary cellphones to connect with one another, and even to the rest of the world, thanks to a satellite connection located at the base station.