If one of the main complaints about Iridium was the size and weight of its phones – and they are invariably described as being the size and weight of “a brick,” especially in consumer-oriented publications – Ericsson and Asia Cellular Satellite Co. (ACeS) are not leaving themselves open to the same ridicule.

At the recent CommunicAsia Conference and Show in Singapore, they are holding public trials of the smallest satellite phone yet devised, the Ericsson R190.

Ericsson said it weighs only 210 grams or about 7.4 ounces. And its dimensions – at 130 x 50 x 32 mm or about 5.12 x 1.97 x 1.26 inches – are hardly much more than a conventional cellular phone.

The phone will operate on GSM cellular systems and switch automatically to satellite mode when its is outside of a GSM service area. It offers 2.67 hours of talk time and up to 47 hours of standby in GSM mode and 42 hours of standby in satellite mode, Ericsson and ACeS said.

Among its features are a snap-on, GSM-only antenna, for use when the subscriber is within GSM coverage for an extended time, and an ultra slim battery. Adapters will allow it to be used for data and fax services, as well as voice.

ACeS also plans a relatively low price for service–the equivalent of U.S. $1 per minute. “We have worked very hard with our partner Ericsson to develop a first-generation handset that delivers the reach and performance of satellite telephony in a package that doesn’t compromise user’s size and weight expectations,” said Adi Adiwoso, president-director and CEO of both ACeS and its largest shareholder, PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara [PSNRY] of Indonesia.

“We have been using the R190 for several months, making thousands of test calls on the ACeS network, and I can say that the Ericsson team over-delivered in creating an extremely high-quality product,” Adiwoso said.