VODAFONE LAUNCHES SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA
Source URL: library.northernlight.com
Story Filed: Thursday, March 30, 2000 2:58 AM EST
SYDNEY, Mar 30, 2000 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- Telecommunications giant Vodafone has launched its long-awaited low orbit satellite phone service which will provide 100 per cent mobile coverage in Australia for the first time.
Vodafone Globalstar was officially unveiled today, giving users access to mobile coverage from anywhere in the country as well as up to 200 nautical miles off the Australian coast.
The service will be available from today in New South Wales, southern Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
The rest of Australia will be fully operational in May this year.
The multi-million dollar system has been built by Vodafone, with the backing of its parent Vodafone AirTouch, over several years and uses 52 low orbiting satellites.
Federal Communications Minister Richard Alston launched the service in Sydney, hailing it as a "fantastic breakthrough" for communications in the bush.
"With the advent of satellite based systems such as Vodafone Globalstar, Australia's sparsely populated rural and remote regions will now also have access to world class mobile telephony systems - fully destroying the `tyranny of distance'."
While the Globalstar service is more expensive than regular mobile coverage, it offers the only alternative for many rural customers.
Presently, only five to seven per cent of Australia's total landmass has access to mobile phone services.
The Globalstar service integrates satellite with regular GSM mobile coverage. The handset automatically switches over to satellite services when GSM is no longer available.
"The launch means that Vodafone Globalstar customers will now be able to make or receive mobile calls and send messages even when in the most remote parts of the country," Vodafone chairman Rob Ferguson said.
Globalstar handsets start at $A1,099 ($US674.13) on plan. As an introductory offer, they are being sold at $999 or $733 tax exempt for primary producers.
Vodafone said satellite calls would range from $1.80 per minute to $1.62 per minute.
The Globalstar service will be delivered through Vodafone's existing GSM network and 52 low-orbiting satellites, including four spare satellites.
It has built "gateways" in Dubbo, NSW; Mt Isa, Queensland; and Meekatharra in Western Australia which will switch calls from the satellites into other networks.
(C) 2000 Asia Pulse Pte Ltd |
