Seems to be a little speculation (misinformation) about the
Globalstar/ Ericsson OMC Division phone on the Q thread(s)
Perhaps this will help. ....
Ericsson Press Releases
Original Press Release (( Old ))
ERICSSON SIGNS CONTRACTS WITH GLOBALSTAR WORTH USD 204 MILLION
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Date: Apr 03, 1998
Ericsson OMC Ltd. has signed two contracts totalling USD 204 million
(SEK 1,630 million) with US based company, Globalstar for the supply
of hand-held and stationary satellite phones. The contract values
are USD 120 million and USD 84 million respectively. These are the
first contracts for satellite phones that Ericsson has signed with a
global satellite operator.
The hand-held terminals can be used in two modes: satellite and GSM.
The satellite communication mode enables the terminal to be used
even in remote areas where there is little or no GSM coverage,
whereas the GSM mode can be used in areas of good reception. The
hand-held terminals are suitable for users who need to make and
receive calls at all times, no matter where in the world they are
located. They are ideal for people who are on the move and who are
likely to travel to remote places.
The stationary telephone terminals are suitable for remote areas
where previously telecom operators have not installed a mobile or
wired system due to the large investment required. The terminal, for
example, could be situated in a small remote village in a phone
booth for the villagers' use. It also interfaces to ordinary
telephones, pay-phones, data ports and fax machines.
Globalstar is a satellite-based, wireless telecommunications system
designed to provide voice, data, fax and other telecommunications
services to users worldwide. It will sell access to a worldwide
network of regional and local service providers, including strategic
partners. Globalstar anticipates having the system working by
mid-1999.
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries.
Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones
and infocom systems makes Ericsson a world leading supplier in
telecommunications.
Additional information about Ericsson and its products can be found
on the World Wide Web at ericsson.com
Additional information about Globalstar and its products can be
found on the World Wide Web at globalstar.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Kathy Egan, Vice President, Communications, Ericsson Inc.
Tel. +1 212 685 4030
Per Bengtsson, Vice President, Investor Relations,
Ericsson Inc.
Tel. +1 212 685 4030
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THE PHONE ITSELF --
ericsson.se
CONTACT No. 11 1999
The new R290 Satellite phone will initially be a niche product. Professional users who work or travel in isolated regions and need reliable communications are expected to be an important customer group.
Smallest satellite phone on the entire market
Ericsson in the lead in earth stations
This is the market's smallest and Ericsson's first telephone for global satellite networks, Now you can take an Ericsson phone anywhere in the world and stay in touch. The new phone, which was launched last week at CommunicAsia 99 in Singapore, will be available at the end of this year.
The new phone is no larger than what was considered too small for a mobile phone just a few years ago, but slightly larger than what we have become accustomed to today. The R290 Satellite, which is the newest addition to Ericsson's family of phones, weighs 350 grams. It shares the same design as other Ericsson models introduced this year but has a satellite antenna that makes it just a bit larger.
In short, the R 290 Satellite is a dual-mode GSM 900/satellite phone with all the features that demanding consumers have come to expect but with the important addition that it will switch over to Globalstar's satellites when no GSM coverage is available.
"We know that there is an excellent market for the R290 Satellite. Although more and more people have access to mobile phones, there are still large land areas without cellular coverage or even a fixed network. In these areas, Ericsson's new phone will be ideal," says Tord Nybleus, marketing manager for satellite phones at Ericsson.
The R 290 Satellite weighs only 350 grams and has all the features that users expect. In addition, it switches over to satellite when no GSM coverage is available.
The satellite phone is not expected to be a consumer product but rather a niche product in Ericsson's portfolio. The R 290 Satellite is aimed primarily at professional users who work or travel in isolated regions without cellular coverage and need simple and reliable communications. As phone prices and call charges come down, the market will grow. Another customer group are active outdoor enthusiasts who readily adopt new technology and want to use the very latest.
Globalstar is working extensively with traditional mobile operators around the world. In many markets, customers can receive a single invoice for both satellite and conventional GSM calls. One telephone, one number and one invoice. Globalstar is not competing with operators in the same way as Iridium. Instead, operators can offer their customers a more comprehensive service with Globalstar's help.
The R 290 Satellite was developed at Ericsson's research and development unit in Basingstoke in the U.K., where a unit for fixed satellite telephony has also been established. The phone will be sold through an OEM contract with Globalstar.
"Development of the R 290 Satellite phone went very quickly and smoothly," reports Staffan Reinefjord, who heads Ericsson's satellite phone efforts. "Despite the technical challenges faced by the team in Basingstoke, it was gratifying to see how everyone was focused on the task at hand and how well the different units worked together. Without these many contributions, we would not have produced such a great result in so short a time."
Patrik Lindén
patrik.linden@lme.ericsson.se
www.globalstar.com
TELECOM GIANTS BEHIND GLOBALSTAR
Globalstar's history began in 1986. A number of companies had similar ideas at that time and after several mergers and continued development, Globalstar was formed.
Today the company can count telecom giants such as Alcatel and France Telecom among its owners, who also include American operator Airtouch, British operators Vodafone and Elsacom.
The first satellites were launched in 1998, and in October of this year, the system will be opened for commercial service. There are already 24 satellites in low-earth orbit at an altitude of 1,400 km. The system will be extended and strengthened successively.
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