"A progressive rollout of commercial Globalstar services
began at the end of 1999, and it is anticipated that
completion of the basic network rollout will be achieved
by Q1 2001, at which point Globalstar service will be
available in over 120 countries served by 38 gateways.
With today's commercial service launch in the UK, there
are now 37 countries in full service*, with limited service
initiated in a further nine countries."
Well, let's see, as long ago as May 10, G* Press Release said they were in commercial service in 38 countries
globalstar.com
Since when does 38+1=37?
On a brighter if hardly more believable note, today's PR says 38 GWs on line by 3/31/01. That will be interesting to watch...
Right now we can count 18 Gateways as operating (though not necessarily commercially):
1. Avezanno (Italy), Elsacom, 11/99
2. Presidente Prudente, (Brazil) Globalstar do Brazil 11/99
3. Aussaguel, (France) TESAM, 12/99
4. Clifton, (between Dallas and Austin Texas, USA) AirTouch, 12/99
5. Smith Falls, (Ontario,Canada) Cancom/AirTouch/Loral, 12/99
6. Yeo Ju (S. Korea), DACOM, billable service underway "now" as of 10Jan SEC filing
7. San Martin Texmelucan Puebla, (Mexico) JV of AirTouch/Loral/TelAutrey, 15Jan
8. High River (near Calgary, Alberta, Canada), Cancom/AirTouch/Loral , 19Jan
9. Karkkila, (Finland) Globalstar Northern Europe, formal opening 2/9/00, start of service 4/00
10. Los Velasquez, (Venezuela) TE.SA.M , formal opening 2/15/00, billable service start in April
11. Bosque Allegre (central Argentina, near Corduba), TESAM, said to be operational in 2/18 G* PR
12. Beijing, (China) China Telecom, in service as of 2/22 per GNE
13. Managua, (Nicaragua) Globalstar Americas
14. Delareyville (S. Africa), Vodafone , GW ready, waiting on license for S. Africa service
15. Dubbo (New South Wales, Australia), Vodafone, 3/30/00
16. Moscow, (Russia), Globaltel (JV of Globalstar and Ros Telcom), "April" per GNE map of 3/15
17. Meekatharra (Western Australia), Vodafone, 5/1/00
18. Mt Isa (Queensland, Australia), Vodafone, 5/1/00
Another 13 are pretty firmly sited and/or have recently updated announcements:
19. Lurin (Peru), TESAM, May, per TESAM at ITU TA2000 conf "April" per GNE map of 3/15
20. Petrolina, (Brazil) Globalstar do Brazil, July, per G* do Brasil
21. Ogulbey (near Ankara, Turkey), TESAM, service start 7/00, per 2/7 cc
22. Khabarovsk, Russia, Globaltel (JV of Globalstar and Ros Telcom), August 1 per s/h speech of 5/16; 3rd Qtr per website
23. Novisibersk, (Russia) Globaltel) (JV of Globalstar and Ros Telcom), August 1 per s/h speech of 5/16; "April" per GNE map of 3/15
24. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, TATCOM, by June 30, per GNE map of 3/15
25. Lanzhou (China) China Telecom, after June 30, per GNE map
26. Puerto Rico, G* USA, "summer" per G* USA, August per ICC
27. Manaus, (Brazil) Globalstar do Brazil, September, per G* do Brasil
28. Guangzhou, China Telecom, 3rd Qtr 2000 (1)
29. Bahrain, Globalstar Middle East, by y/e Y2K according to GNE list dated 3/15
30. Senegal, TESAM, "few months" following 2/00
31. New Zealand, Vodafone, unknown
To get to 38 GWs, seven of the following locations (or some others to be announced) would have to come on line:
32. Chicunta (Columbia), TESAM, by June 30, according to GNE Map of 3/15, but not on list, other indications are this is delayed
33. Taiwan, Chunghwa Telecom 3rdQtr2000, per CEUT
34. Viet Nam, TESAM, y/e 2000, per 2/99 interview
35. East Africa (Kenya and seven others), MTA, unknown
36. Malyasia, Vod/AirTouch/SimeDarby, unknown
37. Indonesia, Airtouch/PTIS, unknown
38. West Africa, Globaltouch Holdings (could use TESAM Senegal GW?)
39. Thailand, Loxley Group, unknown (covered by VietNam GW? Said by IR in late April to be online by y/e Y2K)
40. India 1 service provider TBA, y/e 2000 per 10/99 interview
41. India 2 service provider TBA
42. India 3 service provider TBA
43. Shanghai (China) China Telecom, unknown
44. Iceland/North Atlantic, Martel [will provide service initially using France and Canada GWs] |
