What is LTE which works alongside inReach on the new Garmin Fenix 8 pro?
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The new Garmin fēnix 8 Pro adds two independent radios—LTE-M (cellular) and inReach satellite, so you can message, LiveTrack and trigger SOS without your phone, falling back from LTE to satellite when you’re off-grid.
A quick guide
How it works (the gist):
- The watch prioritises phone → LTE → satellite (in that order). Messaging goes via the Garmin Messenger backend; SOS goes to Garmin Response. Traditional phone calls/SMS are not generally supported (it’s app-based messaging and voice clips).
- LTE coverage is country-limited (Garmin partners and bands; historically no roaming on older LTE watches). Satellite uses the Iridium network for near-global reach, subject to local laws (some countries ban satellite communicators).
Current UK pricing (monthly):
Garmin’s new inReach consumer tiers (which cover LTE + satellite features on fēnix 8 Pro) are widely reported as: Enabled £7.99, Essential £14.99, Standard £29.99, Premium £49.99 per month. UK/EU pricing aligns with $/€ equivalents. (Activation fee currently waived at launch for many buyers.)
Speeds & latency (what to expect):
- LTE-M (Cat-M1): peak ~1 Mbps, typical a few hundred kbps; great for short voice clips/messages and LiveTrack.
- Satellite (Iridium SBD): short messages (~340 bytes payload) with ~30 sec–5 min delivery in normal conditions. Don’t expect web or rich media over satellite.
Pros (my view):
- Phone-free safety & tracking that actually works off-grid (satellite fallback).
- Simpler setup than carrying a separate inReach; one device, one plan.
- Better LiveTrack reliability when training/racing (LTE beats flaky phone-Bluetooth links).
Cons (my view):
- Ongoing subscription cost; higher tiers needed for heavier use.
- Coverage caveats: LTE works only in supported countries; satellite is restricted/illegal in several nations (e.g., India, parts of SE Asia/Middle East).
- Not a phone replacement: no general voice calls/SMS; messaging flows through Garmin’s system.
A more in-depth technical guide
With fēnix 8 Pro, Garmin has built both LTE-M cellular and two-way satellite messaging (inReach) directly into the watch. When your phone isn’t around (or dies), the watch can still share your live location, send/receive texts or 30-second voice clips via Garmin Messenger, and trigger an interactive SOS to Garmin Response. The watch prefers your phone if present, then LTE, and finally satellite if there’s no mobile signal.
From a hardware standpoint, this is a bigger step than past LTE Garmins (like the Forerunner 945 LTE) because the satellite radio is on the wrist; you no longer need to carry a separate inReach device for off-grid messaging.
What you can actually do without a phone
- LiveTrack (share a link that updates your location in near real-time) over LTE or satellite.
- Two-way text and short voice messages via Garmin Messenger (not standard SMS) over LTE, and text over satellite when out of coverage.
- SOS to Garmin Response over LTE or satellite, with interactive back-and-forth.
Opinion: This is the right compromise for an adventure watch—reliable safety and comms without pretending to be a smartphone on your wrist.
Plans & pricing (UK)
Garmin has reworked consumer inReach plans in 2025 and is tying the watch’s LTE + satellite features to those tiers. Early reporting and Garmin’s plan pages point to the following UK monthly prices:
| Tier | Core allowance (short) | UK £/month |
|---|---|---|
| Enabled | Service active; pay-per-use | £7.99 |
| Essential | Unlimited check-ins; modest text bundle | £14.99 |
| Standard | Larger text/track bundles | £29.99 |
| Premium | Highest bundles; frequent tracking | £49.99 |
Notes:
- Garmin has been waiving activation fees at launch; check the checkout flow for your account.
- Expect overage charges per message/trackpoint on lower tiers (consistent with inReach norms).
- DC Rainmaker reports the base £7.99 level is enough to “enable” LTE + satellite, with higher tiers increasing allowances.
Coverage & restrictions
LTE-M (cellular):
- Coverage depends on Garmin’s carrier partners; historically, Garmin’s LTE watches worked only in specific countries and didn’t support roaming between regions. Expect a similar model at launch; confirm country support in the Garmin app before you rely on it abroad.
Satellite (Iridium):
- Operational almost worldwide, including oceans and polar regions, but subject to local laws. Several countries ban or tightly regulate satellite communicators (e.g., India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, parts of the Middle East). Travellers have been detained for carrying inReach in India—don’t take one there. Always check local laws before flying.
Performance: how fast is it really?
LTE-M (Cat-M1) is a low-power cellular tech meant for reliable, mobile IoT devices—perfect for mapping pings and short clips:
- Peak throughput: up to ~1 Mbps; typical a few hundred kbps. Latency is low enough for snappy LiveTrack.
Satellite (Iridium SBD): deliberately modest bandwidth for reliability anywhere:
- Message size: roughly ~340 bytes payload per message.
- Delivery time: often 30 sec–1 min in good sky view; can be several minutes in cover/valleys.
Translation: LiveTrack over LTE feels near real-time; satellite LiveTrack and texts are “near-real-time enough” for safety, not social media.
Battery impact (high level)
Garmin’s early hands-on coverage indicates LTE and satellite do consume more power than Bluetooth-to-phone operation; the MicroLED model exists partly to offset that with a brighter but efficient display. Real-world hours will vary with GNSS mode, screen, and how often you transmit. If you’re running multi-day efforts, budget extra margin when LiveTrack is continuous.
Setup tips (UK)
- Activate a plan in your Garmin account and link it to the watch. Confirm UK coverage for LTE in the app.
- In Garmin Messenger, define trusted contacts for LiveTrack and SOS. (They receive links/messages from Garmin’s servers.)
- Test check-ins locally. For satellite, go outdoors with sky view; allow a minute for the first fix and message. (Garmin advises this can take up to ~5 min in poor conditions.)
What it’s brilliant for
- Solo long runs/fell days where you want LiveTrack to “just work,” even if your phone is off or left at home.
- Mountain days & ultras where a separate inReach was previously mandatory—now the watch covers basic two-way messaging and SOS itself.
Where it’s not perfect
- Not a phone on your wrist: calls/SMS are generally not supported; it’s all through Garmin’s messaging system. If you need regular voice calling, bring a phone.
- International trips: LTE may not work where you land; satellite may be illegal to possess. Plan ahead.
- Subscription math: Budget realistically—£7.99/mo keeps it enabled, but active users will want Essential (£14.99) or Standard (£29.99).
My verdict (for Outdoor GPS Shop customers)
If you value safety, LiveTrack reliability and phone-free training, the fēnix 8 Pro’s LTE + satellite is the most meaningful Garmin upgrade in years. It’s not trying to be an Apple Watch; it’s a serious adventure tool with smart, layered connectivity. The catch is the subscription and coverage fine print—but for UK trail and ultra runners venturing into patchy signal, I’d take this every time over a phone-tethered setup.
The two watches with this technology built in.
- Garmin Fenix 8 Pro - 47 mm AMOLED Sapphire
- Garmin Fenix 8 Pro - 51 mm AMOLED Sapphire
Sources & further reading
- Launch/feature overviews: The Verge; DC Rainmaker; Tom’s Guide; The5KRunner.
- Plan pricing (UK/EU/US): Notebookcheck; Garmin plan pages; DC Rainmaker hands-on.
- LiveTrack and message behaviour: Garmin Support.
- Satellite legality/travel cautions: Garmin Support; ExplorersWeb; Scottish Sun case report.
- Tech background on LTE-M speeds/latency: Zipit Wireless; Hologram; AWS whitepaper.
- Iridium/SBD message size & timing: Datawell SBD brief; Garmin Support.
