Iridium, the troubled satellite phone operator facing an August 11 potential showdown on its finances, has another worry on the horizon - its first real competitor, Globalstar.
Globalstar will be using the major European telecommunications event, Geneva Telecom, which opens on October 10 for an eight-day run, to launch its satellite phone service commercially on a global scale.
Like Iridium, Globalstar is based around a series of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, but Globalstar's key advantages are that it has a higher power output from the satellites - making for smaller handsets - and a faster data capability of 7.200 bits-per-second (bps) as against Iridium's 2,400bps facility.
The first handset for Globalstar has already been launched, the Ericsson R290, which tips the scales at 350 grams - around half the weight and size of a typical Iridium unit. Despite the (relatively) small size, the R290 handset supports GSM (global system for mobile communications) 900 for terrestrial networks and the Globalstar system for when GSM 900 services are not available.
Interestingly, Globalstar has been signing up roaming agreements with dozens of carriers worldwide this last six months, meaning that R290 users will only need to subscribe to a GSM 900 terrestrial network for their phone to work terrestrially, roaming on to the Globalstar satellite network when required.
At Geneva Telecom, Globalstar will shatter Iridium's plans with a variety of satellite-based phone products, including lightweight portable phones, a maritime fixed phone, a car kit, and a series of payphones designed for use in remote areas.
Qualcom has developed tri-mode (Globalstar/code division multiple access/AMPS) phone for the Globalstar launch, while Telital has developed a dual-mode (Globalstar/GSM) handset. Schlumberger, meanwhile, has designed a range of pay phones for use on the satellite phone network.
Globalstar's service will be delivered through a 48-satellite LEO constellation that will provide wireless telephone service in virtually every populated area of the world. To date, Globalstar says it has 32 satellites in orbit and with this number will be able to initiate a progressive regional roll-out of service this fall. The gameplan is for an additional 20 satellites to be launched through the remainder of the year, so increasing system capacity and coverage, and forming Globalstar's final 48-satellite constellation with four spares.
Globalstar has already successfully conducted its first series of voice calls, testing the satellite air interface, gateways, telephone units, and PSTN (public service telephone network) interconnects. The company has also been talking quietly with distributors about its planned pricing. Unconfirmed reports suggest that call rates of roughly half those of Iridium's post-July 1 rates are planned. |
