Communications

The information below supplements that given in Chapter Norway, 5. Communications, some of which also applies to Svalbard.

VHF and SSB

During the first part of the passage to Svalbard, you will be within VHF range of Coastal Radio North relay stations in Bodø. As you approach Bjørnøya, contact is again possible via a relay antenna on the island, and when nearing Hornsund the Polish Polar Station can be reached on VHF.

There is a gap in VHF coverage between the Polish Polar Station and Coastal Radio North’s relay antenna at the entrance to Isfjorden.

Beyond the range of the Ny-Ålesund antenna, communication is limited to SSB MF, using Coastal Radio North relays via antennae on Spitsbergen and Bjørnøya.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phone coverage is available across most of Isfjorden, around Ny-Ålesund, and in northern Bjørnøya if you can connect to Telenor towers. Check your mobile plan carefully, as roaming charges can be very high.

In Ny-Ålesund WiFi and Bluetooth must be switched off to avoid interference with sensitive research equipment.

Satellite Phones

When choosing between a satellite phone and relying only on emergency beacons and VHF, remember that a satellite phone allows rescuers to speak to you directly in an emergency. This is not possible with beacons, and with VHF only works when rescue units are very close.

Iridium

Iridium is the only widely used satellite phone system that offers full coverage at high latitudes, as its satellites operate in polar orbits.

Starlink

People with cabins outside the settlements were early adopters of Starlink, using the antennas at their cabins during winter and moving them aboard their boats for summer cruising. Starlink dishes are also increasingly common on buildings in Longyearbyen.

Starlink has now become standard equipment on many cruising yachts worldwide, used for work, downloading weather data, and staying in touch with family and friends. We use Starlink on board Polaris Helvetica and have found it to be very reliable, including in Svalbard waters.