I use the Iridium network on my Inreach for outdoorsy stuff in the middle of nowhere. It can take a few minutes to get a weather report or send a text. It's way more basic than what the direct-to-cell services are working on. I'm fine with slowing down and disconnecting like that, but it could be an issue in an emergency.

It feels like the clock has been ticking on Iridium. More people who I hike with have satellite connections straight to their phone, and they're getting more usable and reliable every year.