Hi All:
This news isn't out everywhere, big spot it's missing is Yahoo.com.
Globalstar USA Adds Eight New Key Distributors to Growing Nationwide Network
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Nov 23, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Exclusive Globalstar North American Service Provider One Step
Closer to Launch of Service
Globalstar USA, the exclusive provider of Globalstar's
satellite-based communications services in the United States, today
announced the addition of eight distributors to its growing list of
agents and resellers licensed to sell phones and service to customers.
Globalstar USA, a division of Vodafone AirTouch Plc., is preparing for
full commercial service, scheduled for the first quarter of year 2000.
The company is currently conducting limited user trials.
Initially, Globalstar USA will target industrial vertical markets,
including utilities, oil and gas, mining, maritime, government and
transportation. Globalstar USA will penetrate the industrial vertical
markets by aligning with those distributors that currently serve these
segments. The company will also provide cellular extension service for
wireless phone users who regularly travel beyond wireless boundaries.
The Globalstar system is a state-of-the-art mobile satellite service
that extends the coverage of today's analog and digital wireless
services and allows phone calls to be made and received virtually
anywhere in the world. The system will eventually offer data
capabilities, allowing for e-mail and short messaging.
A Growing Distribution Network for Satellite Phone Service
Leveraging its wireless expertise and the extensive network of agents
and resellers that exists within Vodafone AirTouch, Globalstar USA has
secured agreements with:
-- AirTouch Paging - the only nationwide U.S. paging company that
provides service to 3.5 million customers and operates in 44 of
the top 50 U.S. markets. AirTouch Paging is part of the Vodafone
AirTouch Group, the world's largest wireless communications firm,
based in the United Kingdom.
-- Day Wireless Systems - with more than 40 sales and service
centers and 450 employees in Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
California and Nevada, Day Wireless Systems is the largest
Motorola Service Station (MSS) in the world.
-- ICC Public Communications, Inc. - offers a complete line of
satellite telephone enhanced products and services under the name
SATPLUS. ICC's SATPLUS products include credit card satellite
payphones, satellite emergency telephone systems, satellite
telephone rentals, wireless public Internet terminals, and other
wireless communication products.
-- Manhattan Microwave - committed to global communications since
1985, Manhattan Microwave has delivered service locations
throughout the world. Clients include Walt Disney Pictures,
AMBLIN Entertainment and the St. James Club in Antigua West
Indies. Manhattan Microwave will approach the media segment of
behalf of Globalstar USA.
-- MVS USA - MVS, a mobile satellite communications company, is
making Globalstar services a key component of its Extreme Sports
division. The company expects that the addition of Globalstar to
its portfolio will allow it to expand to the general sports and
recreation market and bring its mobile products to consumers.
-- Norsat International - designs, engineers and distributes premium
products for use in the satellite wireless communications and
cable television industries. The company's Norsat America Inc.
subsidiary operates a network of 14 branch offices across the US.
-- Progressive Concepts - Progressive Concepts Inc., (PCI)
established in 1974, is the largest independent wireless reseller
in the United States. PCI serves the cellular extension and rural
segments as well as serving a specific geography that includes
Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
-- Seven Seas Communications, Inc. -- a provider of satellite
services and equipment to the fishing, yachting, mining,
construction and oil and gas industries throughout the world.
Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Seven Seas serves customers
through its offices in Washington DC, Seattle, Anchorage, Houston
and an international dealer network.
"Having these distributors on board as our partners is an important
step towards commercial service," said Mike Kerr, vice president and
general manager of Globalstar USA. "With these in place, and our
infrastructure of gateways, billing mechanisms, and customer care
quickly nearing completion, we are very close to being fully tested and
ready for commercial service."
The addition of these eight distributors brings the total number of
Globalstar USA distributors to 13. Other distributors include AirTouch
Cellular, Airstar, GMPCS Personal Communications Inc., O'Gara Satellite
Systems and The Wireless Store.
About Globalstar USA
Globalstar USA, a Vodafone AirTouch Plc. subsidiary, has exclusive
rights to sell Globalstar satellite service in United States and is
responsible for building the satellite gateways and interconnecting
with the phone network, development and management of billing and
customer care systems, sales, product distribution and marketing.
Globalstar USA's business strategy focuses on superior service delivery
and is based on a customer-focused model of quality, simplicity and
value.
Globalstar USA is making Globalstar service commercially available to
customers in the United States in the first quarter of 2000. For more
information, visit our new web site at www.globalstarusa.com, or call
1-877-SATPHON.
About Globalstar
Globalstar, led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications, is
a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service
providers and equipment manufacturers, including Qualcomm Incorporated,
Alcatel, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace,
Elsacom (a Finmeccanica company), France Telecom, Hyundai, Space
Systems/Loral and Vodafone AirTouch Plc. For more information, visit
Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.
About Vodafone AirTouch Plc.
Vodafone AirTouch Plc. is the world's largest wireless communications
firm, based in the United Kingdom. It has mobile operations in 24
countries on five continents, with more than 28 million proportionate
cellular customers.
Parent company Vodafone AirTouch is the service provider for Globalstar
in a total of 15 countries across North America, Europe, Australia,
Canada, Mexico and South Africa. Vodafone AirTouch has an approximate
eight percent share in the Globalstar Limited Partnership.
Copyright (C) 1999 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
Distributed via COMTEX.
CONTACT: Vodafone AirTouch Satellite Services
Toni Carinci, 925/274-4966 or 925/997-6225 (cell)
toni.carinci@airtouch.com
or
GCI Group
Donna Berry, 415/974-6200 or 415/377-5177 (cell)
dberry@gcigroup.com
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