GLOBALSTAR EXTENDS SATELLITE DATA SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA
Australian Ground Station Enhancement Continues Expansion
of Globalstar Simplex Data Coverage to Various Regions
Around the World
Globalstar, the worlds most widely used handheld
satellite phone and a provider of satellite voice and
data services to business, announced today that its
independent gateway operator Globalstar Australia Pty
Limited plans to offer simplex, or one-way, data services
to its customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
This asset tracking and enhanced data processing capability
is the result of hardware upgrades to the ground station
or satellite gateway operated by Globalstar Australia.
The satellite gateway is used to provide Globalstar
customers with access to the ground based telephone
network via the Globalstar satellite constellation.
Globalstar recently purchased a number of new gateway
appliqués in order to expand its simplex data
coverage to various operators around the world. Todays
announcement combined with the recent press release
that Globalstar is already deploying simplex data service
throughout parts of South and Central America, demonstrates
the companys commitment to continued expansion
of its satellite data network.
The Globalstar simplex data service has been available
in the U.S and Canada since 2003, and throughout Europe,
the Middle East and across the north Atlantic region
since earlier this year. It is one of the fastest growing
Globalstar segments with the number of simplex data
subscribers expected to increase in 2005 by approximately
300% to over 20,000 users, with a similar rate of growth
forecasted for 2006.
The Globalstar simplex data offering is a low cost,
one-way satellite data service that allows customers
to use Globalstar simplex modems and integrated back
office management solutions to track mobile assets --
such as vehicles, trailers, cargo containers and marine
vessels, using GPS or other location-based software.
Because of this, it is an ideal solution for marine
and fishing vessel monitoring applications. The Globalstar
simplex data service can also be used for a wide variety
of industrial and security applications to monitor and
send information from fixed assets, such as environmental
measuring instruments and utility meters, or report
the state of various mobile devices and their locations.
Using the Globalstar Satellite network and an approved
integrated simplex modem solution, companies will be
able to economically monitor their assets from virtually
anywhere within the Globalstar simplex coverage area.
The data is sent back to a customer's control and monitoring
facility via Globalstar's constellation of low-earth-orbiting
satellites. This information can be received at any
time from remote installations far beyond the reach
of ground-based communications systems.
This investment demonstrates the commitment of
our independent gateway operators to providing Globalstar
customers with a low-cost simplex data option
said Jay Monroe, CEO and Chairman of Globalstar LLC.
This service will provide a low cost, satellite-based
data acquisition tool for industries that demand the
ability to remotely monitor assets such as tractor trailers,
shipping containers or fixed infrastructure, using a
simplex data device and a single satellite network across
major portions of the world.
Commencing in the first quarter of 2006, Globalstar
Australia will begin conducting extensive customer field
trials of its simplex data offering, through its gateway
in Meekatharra, Western Australia. Upon successful trials
additional upgrades may be planned for further roll
out of the asset tracking service in the second quarter
of 2006. Globalstar Australia expects to offer full
commercial service across Australia and New Zealand
by midyear 2006.
This service enhancement once again demonstrates Globalstars
commitment to introducing new product and pricing solutions
designed to meet the dynamic requirements of the satellite
voice and data marketplace
|