Globalstar USA Introduces Roaming Service Beyond North America; Users Can
RELATED SYMBOLS: (QCOM)(ALA)(FTE)(DCX)(VOD)(LOR)
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Apr 17, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Globalstar USA, a
subsidiary of Vodafone AirTouch plc (VOD), today announced its first overseas
roaming agreements, covering Southern Brazil and parts of Europe. As of today,
Globalstar USA customers can place outbound calls from Southern Brazil to
anywhere in the world for $1.99 plus long distance charges,(1) and make both
inbound and outbound calls from 17 countries in Europe for $1.79 plus long
distance charges. ((1)Prices may vary slightly due to exchange rates.)
"All systems are go for Globalstar USA customers who need to make calls from
these regions," said Mike Kerr, vice president and general manager of Globalstar
USA. "Agreements are in place with the Globalstar service providers serving
these areas, and their gateways have been prepared."
Globalstar USA customers already have in- and outbound roaming capabilities
throughout North America, covering all of Canada, the continental United States
and Mexico.
Countries and regions included in the expanded roaming service include:
Southern Brazil:
Districto Federal, Minais Gerais, Rio De Janerio Rio Grande De
Sul, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo
Europe:
Albania, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Romania, San Marino,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and the Vatican City
Globalstar's service offers a call quality that is equivalent to, if not better,
than cellular. "Several of my friends have commented that it sounds better than
my home phone when I'm talking with them on my Globalstar phone," said Jerry
Stuber, a Globalstar customer and one of the service's earliest adopters. "I'm a
stockbroker, so it's essential that I'm available to my clients at all times, no
matter where I am. I use my Globalstar phone every day to talk with many of
those clients."
Globalstar USA Service
Globalstar service is designed to supplement cellular service, not replace it.
While cellular use is growing in reach every year, 45 percent of the U.S. is
still without comprehensive wireless coverage. It is also estimated that more
than 50 percent of the world's population still does not have access to basic
phone service. Globalstar can fill in the gaps where cellular does not exist or
is "sketchy," and allows communications access for those individuals regularly
outside coverage areas or who travel to places where phone service is not
readily available.
Globalstar USA's Satellite Phone Products
Globalstar USA offers a range of products designed by Qualcomm: a Globalstar
handheld tri-mode phone which operates in satellite mode, but also in digital
and analog cellular modes wherever cellular service is available; a hands-free
car kit is designed for use in conjunction with the Globalstar tri-mode portable
phone; and a fixed satellite phone, which can be mounted on a wall or placed on
a table or desk.
Globalstar USA Domestic Pricing Plans
Globalstar USA offers the following domestic price plans (without promotional
discounts) based on a monthly service charge and fees for satellite connection
and use. The Beyond Basic plan is $29.99 per month plus $1.69 per minute for
satellite airtime. The Beyond 50 plan is $99.99 per month and includes 50
minutes of satellite airtime; additional minutes are $1.59. The Beyond 100 plan
is $169.99 per month and includes 100 minutes of satellite airtime; additional
minutes are $1.49. The Beyond 250 plan is $369.99 and includes 250 minutes of
satellite airtime; additional minutes are $1.39.
New and existing customers who sign up for service through any Globalstar USA
distributor between April 1 and May 15, 2000 will receive 30 percent off regular
monthly access fees and domestic airtime through the July 15 billing cycle.
Availability
Individuals and businesses can purchase a Globalstar phone and service through
Globalstar USA's distributors located throughout the United States. A list of
more than 400 dealer locations throughout the U.S. can be found by calling
Globalstar USA at 1-877-SATPHONE (877-728-7466), or by visiting Globalstar USA's
web site at www.globalstarusa.com.
About Globalstar USA
Globalstar USA (GUSA), an indirect Vodafone AirTouch Plc. subsidiary, has
exclusive rights to sell Globalstar satellite service in the United States and
is responsible for building the satellite gateways, interconnecting with the
public phone network, development and management of billing and customer care
systems, sales, product distribution and marketing. For more information visit
Globalstar USA's website at www.globalstarusa.com.
About Globalstar L.P.
Globalstar L.P., led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications, is a
partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and
equipment manufacturers, including Qualcomm Incorporated, Alcatel, Alenia, China
Telecom (HK), DACOM, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Elsacom (a Finmeccanica
company), France Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone AirTouch
Plc. For more information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.
Globalstar service is already available in 37 countries, and is planning to
introduce service in over 80 countries by the end of the year.
About Vodafone AirTouch Plc.
Vodafone AirTouch Plc. is the world's largest wireless communications firm,
based in the United Kingdom. "Vodafone AirTouch" has mobile operations in 24
countries on five continents, with more than 35.5 million proportionate cellular
customers. Parent company Vodafone AirTouch, through its subsidiaries and joint
ventures, is the service provider for Globalstar in a total of 15 countries
across North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Vodafone AirTouch has an
approximate eight-percent holding in the Globalstar Limited Partnership. For
more information on Vodafone AirTouch Plc., visit www.vodafone-airtouch-plc.com.
Distributed via COMTEX.
Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
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CONTACT: Globalstar USA
Toni Carinci, 925/274-4966 or 925/997-6225 (cell)
toni.carinci@globalstarusa.com
or
GCI Group
Donna Berry, 415/974-6200 or 415/717-1384 (cell)
dberry@gcigroup.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL EUROPE LATIN AMERICA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NETWORKING
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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