Originally Posted by
GarageYears 
I keep seeing questions related to why the SATCOM system was sent pings, etc, and discussion related to ACARS use, MAS subscription to the ACARS reporting service to Boeing (or not), but isn't it also the case that the SATCOM transceivers at ALSO available for voice comms?
Yes, 777 cockpit SAT comms out of the tin, and optionally, in-seat passenger satellite linked phone service.
Ah, thanks for the confirmation.
Right, so that puts to bed the occasional "well-if-they-aren't subscribed to Boeing's data monitoring... why does the satellite ping them" comment I've seen. The pings are there just as much for the cockpit voice comms link, as any data that may or may not be sent over the same link.