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Globalstar Continues To See Red
Globalstar Revenues Continue to Grow as Subscribers and Usage Increase Company Achieves Milestones in New Product and Technology Development Globalstar, the world's most popular handheld satellite telephone service, today announced its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2002. Both revenue and subscriber numbers continued to climb during the quarter, accompanied by significant progress in consolidation of international operations, expense reduction, and new product development. On August 19, the company acquired the sales and technical operations of Globalstar USA (GUSA), the Globalstar service provider in the United States. As a result, financial figures from August 20 forward include revenues and expenses which previously accrued to Vodafone Group Plc, GUSA's previous owner. Figures given for prior quarters do not include GUSA revenues and expenses. For the quarter, Globalstar L.P.'s net loss applicable to ordinary partnership interests declined to $14.6 million, a reduction of 31% from the previous quarter and a decline of 89% from the same quarter in 2001. Third quarter operating losses were $14.7 million, a decline of 30% from the previous quarter and a decline of 46% from the third quarter of 2001. These results are consistent with the company's expectations during this restructuring period. Globalstar recorded a total of 10.1 million minutes of use in the third quarter, representing a 31% increase in traffic from the previous quarter and a 36% increase from a year ago. The estimated number of mobile and fixed subscribers at the end of September was 80,000, an increase of 6% over the previous quarter and a 37% increase from a year ago. "This quarter included some crucial developments in our restructuring, most notably the completion of our acquisition of Globalstar sales and marketing operations across North America and parts of Europe," said Olof Lundberg, chairman and CEO of Globalstar. "This has already resulted in a dramatic improvement in our revenue stream, and we were able to rapidly consolidate these operations while still reducing monthly cash requirements. "Meanwhile, our business continues to branch out into new areas and new markets, supported by a growing portfolio of products and services. We are also currently in advanced discussion with possible investors, and we expect to have an announcement on this in the weeks ahead, clearing away the last remaining obstacle to completing our reorganization and to the rapid, successful growth of our business." Total revenues for the third quarter of 2002 were $7.8 million, a 66% increase over the second quarter, and a 434% increase over the same quarter in 2001. Service revenues for the third quarter were $5.7 million, up 73% over the previous quarter and up 292% over the third quarter of 2001. The company also recorded $2.1 million of equipment sales revenue from the sale of handsets and related equipment in the United States and Canada. As of September 30, 2002, Globalstar had approximately $22.6 million in cash on hand. The company is currently in discussions with potential investors, with the objective of raising sufficient funds to achieve cash flow breakeven operations, although the outcome of these discussions cannot be assured at this time. Globalstar expects that debtor-in-possession financing will likely be required to sustain operations through the completion of its chapter 11 case. Globalstar, L.P.'s $14.6 million loss for the quarter converts to a loss of $0.12 per share of Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. During the third quarter, Globalstar achieved several milestones in the areas of acquisitions, product development and new applications. These included:
Globalstar's satellite constellation has generally continued to perform well. Since early 2001, a number of satellites have experienced operating anomalies, but in most cases the satellites successfully recovered and were returned to service. To date, only two satellites have been declared failed, and they have been replaced with on-orbit spares. Currently, three satellites out of Globalstar's 48-satellite constellation are out of service, undergoing diagnostic testing and recovery operations. As a result, users may experience brief service outages a few times a day, depending on their location. Since the current anomalies appear similar to those experienced on satellites that have been successfully recovered, Globalstar is using its earlier experience to work toward further recoveries, although no fixed timetable for recovery of these satellites can be assured at this time. Related Links Globalstar SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Frost and Sullivan Compare Globalstar and Iridium San Jose - Sep 19, 2002 In an independent technical study, Globalstar, the world's most widely-used handheld satellite phone service, has been shown to consistently outperform its main competitor in both voice and data transmission.
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