Globalstar L.P.’s worldwide service rollout took another step last week, bolstering its presence in Mexico where Globalstar de Mexico and Mexican cellular operator Iusacell formed a marketing agreement.
According to the deal, Iusacell, Mexico’s second-largest carrier, will sell Globalstar satellite phone services to its customers-on Code Division Multiple Access terrestrial network technology within its coverage area and on Globalstar’s satellite network outside its footprint.
Globalstar first launched service in Mexico Jan. 17 through telephone orders, expecting it would announce a full dealer network later in the month. Globalstar de Mexico’s gateway is in San Martin Texmelucan Puebla and shares the U.S. gateway in Clifton, Texas.
Earlier this month, Globalstar Northern Europe officially opened its gateway in Karkkila, Finland, adding Scandinavia and the Baltic nations to its worldwide footprint. Commercial service from the Finnish gateway is expected to begin in April.
These positive announcements closely follow the news that Craig McCaw is leading an investor group in the bailout of the struggling Iridium L.L.C., the bankrupt first-to-market satellite-based mobile phone service company. Such announcements have served to renew investor confidence in the satellite sector recently, a trend that many hope will continue once Globalstar launches full commercial service in the United States, expected before the end of the quarter.
