Globalstar Seeks Fixed Line Partners - Brazil
February 11, 2000
Brazilian satellite operator Globalstar do Brasil is seeking fixed line partners to develop satellite telephone services in remote areas of the country, Globalstar do Brasil president Pedro Maisonnave said.
"We don't have a license to operate fixed line telephony," Maisonnave said, "but we can negotiate use of our infrastructure with operators to meet conditions set by [Brazilian telecommunications regulator] Anatel."
Meanwhile, Globalstar is already testing its equipment with the Brazilian Navy and Federal Police, while the Army and environmental task force Ibama have also requested trial equipment.
Globalstar do Brasil is a consortium of Loral (NYSE: LOR), DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, and Brasilstar Telecom. It is the Brazilian operator for the Globalstar service.
Source: Folha News (Brazil)
Globalstar to Launch Caribbean Ops Feb.15 - Regional
February 11, 2000
United States-based international satellite mobile operator Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSTRF) plans to launch operations in the Caribbean on Tuesday, February 15, with a service that will cover Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, Martinique and Guadalupe, according to Globalstar Venezuela representative Maritza Escalona.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez will inaugurate the system with a call from Rio Chico on Tuesday.
Globalstar plans to invest some US$5mn this year in operating expenses and advertising, and forecasted gains of between 7,000 and 10,000 users within the first year of operation. The company invested US$30mn in the region to build three tracking antennae at Rio Chico, Venezuela.
Globalstar will market two types of handset, for US$1300 and US$1600 respectively, and will charge calls at US$1.50 per minute. The system will operate using Global System for Mobile (GSM) technology via a code division multiple access (CDMA) network and will offer value added services such as email and stock quotes.
The company is still conducting trials and users who subscribe now will have free service until the start of commercial operations in April, Escalona said. Globalstar will next launch a base station at Manaus, Brazil, adding to other existing stations in Brazil, Argentina and Peru.
The company also plans to install 1,000 public telephones, principally in areas where there is a lot of tourism.
Source: El Nacional (Venezuela)
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