Globalstar Demonstrates Dual Use Phone

CONSTELLATIONS

Globalstar Demos Dual Use Phone

ready to come down to earth

San Jose - July 24, 2002
Globalstar has demonstrated a wireless phone that can use the same radio spectrum to connect to both satellite and terrestrial communications networks. If introduced commercially, this system could further increase the utility of satellite phones while at the same time making far more efficient use of existing radio spectrum.

The new technology is generically referred to as Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC), a method that allows existing satellite phone spectrum to also be used over dedicated terrestrial networks, with call capacity managed and reallocated, in real time, between satellite and terrestrial networks via a common control center. Calls can be made over either network using the same phone handset, offering users truly universal service over a single phone system.

Today, satellite phones provide telephone service in even the most remote locations, but indoor environments and dense urban areas have always posed a challenge, since tall buildings can often block satellite signals. ATC meets this challenge by supplementing satellite service with a ground-based network to provide a "back-up" signal in and around buildings where satellite signals cannot reach. And by using the same radio frequencies for both systems, scarce wireless spectrum can be much more efficiently used, and re-used, across an entire continent.

Globalstar's satellite service today is providing a highly resilient, ubiquitous service that has proven itself during national emergencies such as September 11 and the recent forest fires in the western U.S. where the terrestrial infrastructure was either damaged or simply unavailable.

The combination of satellite and terrestrial infrastructure in a single system provides for an attractive solution for public safety and other applications that require dependable communications, both indoors and out, along with universal compatibility, where a single mobile phone unit can connect with virtually any other phone anywhere.

"Other satellite phone companies have talked about ATC, but Globalstar is the only company to have developed this technology into an actual working prototype," said Olof Lundberg, chairman and CEO of Globalstar.

"Our approach is exceptionally attractive to Public Safety agencies and any wireless service provider who would like to provide truly nationwide coverage with high reliability."

Demonstrations of Globalstar's ATC system were conducted this week in Washington D.C., with similar demonstrations to be held next week in New York. The demonstrations employ Telit Model 650 Globalstar phones that have been modified to use Globalstar's existing satellite spectrum for cellular calls. The Model 650 is a second-generation Globalstar phone that is fully one-third smaller than earlier Globalstar phones.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission recently granted Globalstar a license to allow the use of existing mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum for experimental ATC use, and the Commission is currently evaluating the full commercial use of ATC in both current and next-generation MSS spectrum.

CONSTELLATIONS

Globalstar Contracts for New Constellation Using 2 GHz Spectrum

San Jose - July 17, 2002
Globalstar, the world's most popular handheld satellite phone service, has awarded a contract to Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for the design and future construction of its 2 gigahertz (GHz) satellite system, which will provide greater capacity and enhanced Globalstar services when the new constellation is fully deployed toward the end of this decade.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.