BROWSING: Globalstar
Public-safety card gives MSS industry more spectrum
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission late last week granted idle 2 GHz mobile satellite service spectrum to ICO Satellite Services and TMI Communications and Co., a stinging defeat with potential competitive implications for the mobile-phone industry. As part of its decision, the FCC agreed to...
Action on MSS auction
The Federal Communications Commission should auction the 24 megahertz of spectrum at 2 GHz that mobile satellite service companies gave back to the government. To do anything else would set a bad precedent for spectrum policy.The spectrum in question was returned to the FCC...
Globalstar to build Alaskan gateway
MILPITAS, Calif.-Globalstar LLC. has signed on with New Horizons Telecom Inc. to construct a new satellite gateway that will enhance satellite voice and data services throughout Alaska and the Yukon region.The gateway will be located in Wasilla, Alaska, and is expected to be operational...
MSS spat at 2 GHz escalates
WASHINGTON-While sparks fly on Capitol Hill over wrestling free 700 MHz spectrum from TV broadcasters, a lower profile feud with high stakes for mobile-phone carriers is escalating at the Federal Communications Commission. The debate is over whether the remaining two 2 GHz mobile satellite...
Qualcomm to supply Globalstar hardware
MILPITAS, Calif.-Satellite phone manufacturer and service provider Globalstar L.L.C. announced a $140 million multi-year agreement with Qualcomm Inc. to produce next-generation voice and data products.The deal expands on an existing relationship under which the chipmaker manufactures Globalstar handsets, fixed units and data modem hardware....
Globalstar touts successes one year after bankruptcy
MILPITAS, Calif.-Satellite carrier Globalstar heralded its successes a year out of bankruptcy, claiming new products and services, expanded coverage, reduced costs and a growing subscriber base. "Globalstar has delivered on and even exceeded every growth metric we set one year ago," said Jay Monroe,...
Globalstar touts successes a year after bankruptcy
MILPITAS, Calif.-Satellite carrier Globalstar heralded its successes a year out of bankruptcy, claiming new products and services, expanded coverage, reduced costs and a growing subscriber base."Globalstar has delivered on and even exceeded every growth metric we set one year ago," said Jay Monroe, the...
Wireless association asks FCC to delay Globalstar’s ATC application
WASHINGTON-The Wireless Communications Association asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay action on Globalstar L.L.C.'s application to add an ancillary terrestrial component into its mobile satellite service system until it can be determined whether broadband wireless licensees would be protected from harmful interference. Globalstar...
Globalstar applies for new Fla. gateway
MILPITAS, Calif.-Globalstar L.L.C. said it filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission seeking authority to operate a gateway in Sebring, Fla.The gateway would improve service on the fringes of the company's North American service area, particularly at sea, said Globalstar. The company expects...
Globalstar applies with regulators to add land-based service
WASHINGTON-Satellite service provider Globalstar L.L.C. said it filed an application today with the Federal Communications Commission for authority to offer ancillary terrestrial service in conjunction with its mobile satellite services. Globalstar is the second MSS operator to seek approval for ATC, which allows a...
Airbus test system to allow in-flight mobile use by 2006
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus successfully completed the first in-flight trial of GSM mobile phones and plans to allow passengers to use phones in flight by 2006, the company announced Wednesday.Equipment and software developed by Airbus and Icarelink, a French satellite communications firm, were used...
UTStarcom provides softswitch for Qualcomm airline test
ALAMEDA, Calif.-UTStarcom Inc. said it provided its wireless softswitch solution for Qualcomm Inc.'s proof-of-concept test to allow passengers aboard an American Airlines commercial flight to place and receive voice calls and text messages.The solution, known as MovingMedia 2000, works in Qualcomm's third-generation picocell network...
Cell phones, laptops give new twist to air-to-ground communications systems
With cell phones, pagers and even wireless computers nearly ubiquitous, dozens of agencies are working to open the door for airline passengers to be able to use wireless communications at 40,000 feet. First, though, they must define the problem with such communications."One of the...
Qualcomm demos in-flight cell-phone service
Qualcomm Inc. successfully tested an in-cabin voice communications system using CDMA mobile phones, the company announced Thursday.Passengers, including reporters and government representatives, were able to place and receive phone calls and text messages during the proof-of-concept demonstration on board a two-hour American Airlines flight...
Satellite players satisfied with FCC's spectrum-sharing plan
WASHINGTON-The two main players in the mobile satellite services market reacted favorably to the Federal Communications Commission's spectrum-sharing plan.The FCC approved a plan for Iridium Satellite L.L.C. to share 3.1 megahertz of spectrum in the 1.6 GHz band with Globalstar L.L.C. to meet increasing...
FCC carves out 200 MHz for broadband deployment
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission last week opened up a huge swath of spectrum for wireless broadband services, creating incentives for businesses to invest in a third digital pipe to homes and businesses across the country.In doing so, the agency found a new home-the 2.5...
FCC opens 2.5 GHz spectrum for wireless broadband
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission today opened a huge swath of spectrum for wireless broadband services, creating incentives for businesses to invest in a third digital pipe to homes and businesses across the country. In doing so, the agency found a new home-the 2.5 GHz...
MSV looks for first-to-market advantage with hybrid MSS
WASHINGTON-Mobile Satellite Ventures, despite legal and regulatory challenges, is aggressively moving forward with its business plan and appears poised to be first to market with a potentially disruptive technology comprised of satellite and land-based facilities that will bring wireless signals to areas of the...
Globalstar extends Equant contract
WASHINGTON-Globalstar announced a contract with Equant for Internet Protocol virtual private network services through February 2007, marking an extension of the one-year contract the company signed with Equant in December 2002 to upgrade its legacy network with the Equant IP VPN solution. "The...
Satellite shifts to be part of hybrid system
Satellite is spreading its wings. The sector appears to be aligning itself with other wireless technologies in hopes of becoming a significant part of a hybrid wireless network.John Kealey, chief executive officer of iDirect, a networking equipment company that makes routers that allow customers...
Globalstar to emerge from bankruptcy
Mobile satellite services provider Globalstar announced it has completed its financial restructuring and will emerge from bankruptcy following the closing of the acquisition of its main business operations and assets by Thermo Capital Partners L.L.C.Following the acquisition, which was announced in December, Thermo owns...
Globalstar to track driverless race
SAN JOSE, Calif.-Mobile satellite services company Globalstar has been chosen to provide real-time vehicle tracking for a driverless vehicle competition sponsored by the U.S. government's Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) taking place this month in the Mojave Desert in California.For the DARPA Grand...
Carriers take FCC to court over 'terrestrial' MSS use
WASHINGTON-Top mobile-phone operators told a federal appeals court the Federal Communications Commission went astray of the law by awarding additional mobile satellite service licenses despite the sector's desperate financial condition. In its opening brief, AT&T Wireless Services Inc., Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and Verizon Wireless...
Globalstar ready to launch with new MSS owner
New ownership has provided mobile satellite services company Globalstar L.P. with hope in the new year.The company last month announced plans to be acquired by equity investor Thermo Capital Partners L.L.C. for $43 million. "We think this really restores our credibility," said Globalstar President...