The RCR research and editorial staffs have compiled this list of mobile satellite carriers based on interviews with industry contacts. The chart is arranged alphabetically because most of the companies are not yet offering service and cannot therefore be ranked by subscribers.
Many of the networks plan to provide wireless telecommunications services to both fixed and mobile terminals. Companies planning to provide service mainly to fixed terminals were excluded. They include: Hughes Communications Inc., Teledesic Corp. and Motorola Inc.’s Celestri project. Companies that resell service from other companies already on the list also were excluded. Qualcomm Inc.’s OmniTracs division resells service from GE Americom, a video distribution system not on the Top 20 list.
Two planned systems were abandoned by their creators last year. TRW Inc. dumped its planned Odyssey system and dissolved Odyssey Telecommunications International Inc. The company will return its license to the FCC to focus its efforts on ICO Global Communications instead. Also, Starsys Global Positioning Inc. no longer exists. Several other companies pushed back their expected start up date by at least a year.
On the other hand, several other companies progressed closer to launch. Orbcomm Global L.P. said it has completed satellite coverage across the Western Hemisphere and ICO Global Communications said it raised half of the $4.5 billion needed to launch its network, expecting to follow with a public listing this year to raise the rest.
Iridium L.L.C. now has 46 of its planned 66-satellite constellation in orbit, two-thirds of the entire system. Also, the Motorola-led consortium filed with the Federal Communications Commission to secure the appropriate licensing to launch and operate an additional satellite constellation to provide global advanced digital two-way voice and data communications, such as e-mail delivery and Internet access, called Macrocell MSS.
The RCR Top 20 Mobile Satellite Carriers is the property of RCR Publications Inc. and should not be construed as an endorsement for the companies listed. Information concerning company ranking cannot be reprinted without written permission from RCR.
