GLOBALSTAR - THE NEXT GENERATION

Alcatel Alenia Space to begin study for design of Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation

 

Globalstar, a world leader in providing mobile satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it has signed a study agreement with European satellite systems leader Alcatel Alenia Space, for the design of the service provider’s next generation satellite constellation.  Under the agreement Alcatel Alenia Space will conduct a study to evaluate a new Globalstar low-earth orbit or LEO satellite system, designed to replace the company’s current constellation.

 

Because Alcatel Alenia Space had a significant role in the design and production of the current Globalstar satellite system, the company already has a strong appreciation of Globalstar’s system requirements.  Alcatel Alenia Space will perform an analysis of the company’s future requirements and propose a conceptual design for a next generation LEO constellation. 

 

"Globalstar is pleased by Alcatel's strong commitment to our rapidly growing business”, said Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Inc.  Mr. Monroe went on to add, “Alcatel Alenia Space is uniquely positioned to provide Globalstar with a cost effective solution for a second generation LEO satellite system. Alcatel's demonstrated satellite and network telecommunications capabilities combine to offer Globalstar a highly competitive solution for meeting our future service needs."

 

Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space stated, “Alcatel has been partnering with Globalstar from the very early days. We are delighted to have been selected and this announcement demonstrates the continued confidence and trust that Globalstar has in our company.”  Mr. Sourisse added, “As the only Space and Telecom expert, Alcatel is also very pleased to be given the opportunity to participate in Globalstar’s future Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) service and to assist with an integrated satellite and terrestrial network.”

 

The current Globalstar constellation provides satellite voice and data service coverage to over 120 countries around the world.  The relative proximity of the LEO constellation enables the Globalstar signals to travel quickly, resulting in clear and reliable communications, without any perceptible voice delays.  Alcatel Alenia Space participated in the design of the complete first generation Globalstar system and was responsible for the supply of satellite payloads, structures, heat control elements and part of the gateways as well as satellite integration. 

 

Full Press Release: http://www.globalstar.com/

Inmarsat launches BGAN service

07-12-2005 - Industry leader introduces the first mobile communications service to provide voice and broadband data simultaneously through a truly portable device on a global basis

Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has announced the successful launch of its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service. Six years in development, BGAN is the world's first mobile communications service to provide both voice and broadband data simultaneously through a truly portable device on a global basis. It is also the first to offer guaranteed IP data rates on demand.

Downloads speeds up to 500k Globally

Click for Full Pre Release

GLOBALSTAR LAUNCHES EMERGENCY SATELLITE RATE PLAN

MILPITAS, Calif. -- (March 02, 2006) – Globalstar LLC, a world leader in providing mobile satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it is launching a new rate plan targeted specifically for use in the United States in the event of an emergency. The Globalstar Emergency Plan will be priced below $30 USD per month.

“The past two years we’ve seen devastating hurricanes hit the US Gulf coast, and many individuals and business owners have requested that we introduce an emergency rate plan that does not include a monthly airtime bundle or the associated monthly cost for those minutes, especially when the airtime may not be required on a regular basis”, said Dennis Allen, Senior Vice President, US Sales and Marketing for Globalstar LLC. Mr. Allen went on to say, “the Globalstar Emergency Plan meets those demands while still delivering all the value and peace of mind only a satellite phone can provide. It is an ideal solution for government, business, and private consumers who are looking for a proactive emergency preparedness solution. Now these customers can be prepared in the event the standard terrestrial lines of communication are significantly damaged or destroyed.”

Although the new rate plan is targeted towards those government, business and private consumers concerned about emergency preparedness or business continuity, it can be used by a host of additional potential users of satellite phones who require a low cost price plan combined with a limited monthly commitment.

FCC Approves Globalstar ATC development

Globalstar has received FCC approval to develop and operate an Ancillary Terrestrial Component, or ATC system. Using terrestrial ATC base stations and/or repeaters to complement the satellite service, Globalstar will be able to offer services in indoor or downtown urbanized areas that have traditionally limited mobile satellite coverage. Globalstar’s primary ATC applications will be the enhancement of wireless service in urban areas, where buildings and other infrastructure can physically block satellite signals, and the provisioning of self-contained, transportable local area networks for remote locations or where communications are disrupted during disasters and emergencies.

GLOBALSTAR ACQUIRES INDEPENDENT SATELLITE GATEWAY OPERATOR IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Globalstar, the world‘s most widely used handheld satellite phone and a provider of satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of Globalstar Americas Telecommunications, Ltd., Globalstar Americas Holdings Ltd., and Astral Technologies Investments, Ltd.

These three companies are currently privately held and are authorized by Globalstar to provide Globalstar service throughout Central America, including Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. They also own and operate the Globalstar satellite gateway ground station located near Managua, Nicaragua. The gateway provides Globalstar satellite customers with access to the local public telephone system throughout the region.

The transaction is expected to close in mid-January 2006 and upon closing will be effective for financial purposes at the close of business on December 31, 2005.

Complete Press Release:
http://www.globalstarusa.com/

Globalstar To Provide Italian Govt Satellite Voice And Data Services

Globalstar (Elsacom) gets a major 20 Million Euro contract with the Italian Government to provide voice and data services! This is a big win for Globalstar over it's competitors.

Full Article: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/globalstar-05d.html

Iridium Announces Subscriber and Revenue Results

Interesting information on the number of actual subscribers on their Satellite Service. Comparing with the latest numbers I have heard from Globalstar it appears Iridium has approx 10%-15% fewer subscribers.

Iridium Satellite LLC, the global supplier of mobile satellite services, today said that it has approximately 137,500 subscribers as of September 30, 2005. The new total represents a 22% increase over the total number of subscribers at the end of the third quarter last year. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was up 24% over the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

“Iridium added approximately 10,500 subscribers in the third quarter of 2005,” said Carmen Lloyd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Iridium Satellite. “Increased usage by first responders engaged in relief efforts in the U.S. Gulf Region in September contributed to our strongest quarter for subscriber growth and equipment sales.”

Lloyd said, “Since our network does not rely on land-based infrastructure, Iridium was able to operate during the hurricanes when flooding and winds disabled conventional telephone and cellular systems, as well as radio systems, in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. We are pleased to have played a key role for first responders during this crisis.”

Complete Press Release: http://www.iridium.com/corp/iri_corp-news.asp?newsid=173

Globalstar to Launch New Satellites

This is a major announcement from Globalstar that they're moving forward with upgrading their satellite constellation.

Globalstar is pleased to announce plans to launch eight spare Globalstar satellites to enhance the current Globalstar Low-earth Orbit system, providing the world’s most reliable and highest quality mobile satellite services for years to come. Deploying these new satellites will provide increased lifespan, redundancy and reliability by supplementing our current satellite configuration.

The tremendous demand and growth for Globalstar services around the world have made this move possible, and these satellites will allow for that growth to continue for the foreseeable future.

Launches are currently slated for the first quarter of 2007 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

As a Globalstar dealer, it is through your efforts promoting and selling Globalstar that we are able to continue to improve our industry-leading system, and exceed customer expectations for reliability, convenience and value.

This is only the latest of a string of major investment in the Globalstar network including new Globalstar gateways in Sebring, Florida and Wasilla, Alaska, the announcement of a $140 million dollar manufacturing agreement with QUALCOMM, Inc., the addition of data appliqués to provide asset tracking and other one-way data services worldwide, and the expansion of packet data services throughout the Globalstar network.

Full Press Release: http://www.globalstar.com/

Primary Satellite Phone Companies

1. Iridium - Iridium provides true worldwide coverage with one per minute rate no matter where you are. Portable handset and fixed units. Data rates up to 9.6kbps

2. Globalstar - Covers most major global regions. Has better call quality than iridium and lower "home area" pricing per minute. Portable handset and fixed units. Data rates 9.6kbps

3. Inmarsat - Covers most of the earth with the exception of the poles. Laptop size phone and not as portable as Iridium or Globalstar. Capable of high speed data up to 64kbps. Also has fax capability built in.

4. Thuraya - Portable phone with coverage in most of Europe, Northern Africa, Middle East and western Asia (No North American Coverage). Smaller than Iridium or Globalstar and GSM cell capabilities built in for dual usage. Not as secure as Globalstar or Iridium. Averaqe voice quality.