Satellite operators Asia Cellular Satellite (ACeS) and Euro-African Satellite
Telecommunications (EAST) have joined forces with industry leaders Ericsson
Mobile Communications, Lockheed Martin and Matra Marconi Space to create a
satellite air interface standard named GMSS (Geostationary Mobile Satellite
Standard). The GMSS will be developed from GSM, the world-wide cellular
standard.
This groundbreaking initiative by satellite system operators, satellite
manufacturers, terminal vendors and system manufacturers will enable mobile
phone users to communicate in all parts of the world where the standard is
operating. GMSS will be made available to all parties interested in
implementing the standard.
Consumers will benefit by being able to use mobile phones that are compatible
with several satellite systems in any country where the GMSS is offered. Phone
manufacturers will benefit by supplying products in larger volumes to many
markets, which will enable economies of scale. GMSS will ensures a more rapid
market penetration and allow service providers to attract new subscribers
while increasing and developing their service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Benny Norling, Manager, Product Management
Ericsson Mobile Communications
Phone: +46 8 404 2863
Peter Bodor, Press Officer
Ericsson Mobile Communications
Phone: +46 8 46 8 757 00 0
Note to Editors:
Satellite mobile communications using mobile phones comparable to the size of
today's cellular phones is the starting point of a new era within wireless
communications. A number of satellite systems are on the verge of being
launched, using different standards. The systems are either global or
regional. This initiative links the regional systems together to effectively
form a world-wide system.
Regional systems already in production or planned will cover Europe, Middle
East, Africa, Central Asia, South-East Asia and the Far East. Services using
this standard will start in 1999 in South East Asia. Other systems extending
the standard are planned to enter service in 2001.
The implementation of satellite mobile communications systems will also
facilitate wireless communications in remote areas of the world where land
based mobile networks have not been deployed. The GMSS will make it possible
to use one phone in multiple regional satellite systems - a great benefit to
the mobile phone user.
PT Asia Cellular Satellite (ACeS) is developing the first Geo stationary
satellite-based, handheld digital mobile telecommunications system designed
exclusively for the Asia Pacific region, in the first phase of operations.
Scheduled to commence commercial service in late 1999, ACeS will offer dual-
mode (Satellite mode along with GSM / AMPS) voice and data services and global
roaming capability to business users at a competitive cost. ACeS is co-owned
by Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara
(NASDAQ: PSNRY) of Jakarta, the Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company
and Jasmine International Overseas Company Limited of Thailand. ACeS has
National Service Providers in 9 countries with additional countries signing
up. ACeS's strong group of technology partners includes Lockheed Martin
(satellite and subsystems technology) and Ericsson (mobile handsets). For more
information on ACeS, please visit acesy.com.
Euro-African Satellite Telecommunications (E.A.S.T.) Limited is the satellite
operations company putting in place the EAST system, scheduled for roll-out in
2002. E.A.S.T. are procuring the turnkey system from an industrial consortium
led by Matra Marconi Space, who will be supplying the highly advanced and
extremely high capacity geo-synchronous satellite which the system utilises.
Offering a wide range of communications services to Europe, the Middle East,
Africa and Central Asia, E.A.S.T.'s system will provide: mobile services to
handheld terminals as an extension to terrestrial GSM cellular operators;
fixed services for infrastructure development and extension; support of high
data rates for Internet access and business applications. E.A.S.T.'s vision is
to use the advanced technologies available today as enabling tools, giving
national and regional operators the means to provide affordable
telecommunications infrastructure with unparalleled flexibility and quality of
service.
Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a highly diversified
enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and
services. The Corporation's primary businesses span space, telecommunications,
electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems
integration. Employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin
had 1997 sales surpassing $28 billion.
MATRA MARCONI SPACE, the joint venture company formed by LAGARDERE (France)
and GEC (UK), is Europe's leading satellite manufacturer. It employs 5,000
people, of whom 2,300 are in France and 2,700 in the UK. With a turnover in
1997 of US$1.5 billion, its activities cover science and Earth observation,
military observation and communications, telecommunications and ground
infrastructure, launchers, manned flight and orbital infrastructure.
------------------------------------------------------------
Please visit bit.se for further information
The following files are available for download:
bit.se
bit.se
|
