Globalstar USA Announces Free Trial of Its New Short Messaging Service (SMS)
Satellite Communications Customers Can Now Send 19-Character Text Messages To Globalstar USA
GSP-1600 Phones During Introductory Period With No Charge
SAN FRANCISCO, Jun 18, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Globalstar USA/Caribbean, a leading
provider of satellite-based mobile communications, today announced an expansion of its data communications
product family to include Short Messaging Service (SMS). For a limited time during an introductory trial period, all
Globalstar USA and Caribbean users can receive 19-character text messages using a GPS-1600 handset
anywhere in their home areas free of charge.
"This new offering is another key expansion of the communications options available to Globalstar customers," said
Dennis McSweeney, vice president and general manager of Globalstar USA. "Now they can enjoy the great voice
quality that is a foundation of our service or, for brief exchanges, take advantage of SMS to communicate quickly
and inexpensively."
Messages are sent via the Internet from the Globalstar USA home page at www.globalstarusa.com. After
accessing the Web site, customers enter the 10-digit satellite phone number of the intended recipient. They then
enter the 19-character message (alpha, numeric, spaces and symbols are accepted in English, Spanish and French
characters). After pressing the "Send Message" button, the Web page will show the delivery status of the message
("OK," your message has been accepted, or "Problem"). Based on the status report, the sender will know if
transmission has been successful, or if they should try again. Messages can also be sent from any standard email
service. The destination phone number (Globalstar USA phone number @msg.globalstarusa.com) indicates the
recipient and the message is contained in the subject line.
Messages are immediately delivered to the handset when in satellite mode. Undelivered messages will be stored in
the network and delivery attempts will be made for up to five days. The GSP-1600 satellite phone has the capacity
to store up to 90 messages of 19 characters each (more than 1,700 total characters). After the storage capacity is
reached, the oldest message will be automatically deleted and the incoming message will be added. Messages can
be locked on the phone to retain them in memory.
"We want our customers to try this new service free of charge in the home area for a few months to see how easy it
is to use," McSweeney said. "Meanwhile, we are working to upgrade the service to 200 characters or more in the
future."
Individuals and businesses can purchase Globalstar mobile satellite phones through Globalstar USA and Globalstar
Caribbean distributors. A list of more than 700 dealer locations through the U.S. and the Caribbean can be found
by visiting our Web site at: www.globalstarusa.com. Phones can also be purchased by calling 877-SATPHONE
(877-728-7466) or 925-988-4499.
About Globalstar USA/Caribbean
As the exclusive Globalstar service providers in the United States and the Caribbean, Globalstar USA and
Globalstar Caribbean are responsible for marketing, selling and distributing mobile satellite communications service,
including billing and customer care operations, as well as building and operating the United States and Caribbean
ground stations, or "gateways," which switch calls to and from the satellite to the land-based public switched
telephone network. Globalstar USA and Globalstar Caribbean are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Vodafone Group
Plc., which is a partner of Globalstar Limited Partnership, the partnership of the world's leading telecommunications
service providers and equipment providers that built, owns and operates the satellite network. For more
information, visit our website at globalstarusa.com.
Source: Globalstar USA |
