A New Era in Wireless Communications

Globalstar has been granted authority from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer Ancillary Terrestrial Component services (ATC) in the U.S. along with its mobile satellite services. The FCC stated that “GLLC is authorized to operate ATC base stations and mobile terminals in accordance with the terms, conditions, and technical specifications set forth in its application.” The FCC also said “will service the public interest, convenience, and necessity.” Globalstar will now be capable of developing ATC service along with its satellite constellation using a small lightweight dual mode handset with satellite mode and ATC mode.

Globalstar now has the authority to use 11 MHz of its 1.6/2.4 GHz satellite radio frequencies for the terrestrial wireless service. This would allow the phone to work in dual mode. While using the phone outside the phone would work in satellite mode while using the phone in a building or in a vehicle the phone would work in terrestrial or ATC mode.

The ATC service was demonstrated in Washington and New York in July 2002 by using modified dual mode satellite/cellular phone with a base station. The ATC base station is similar to cellular base stations and can be transportable or a fixed device. Globalstar can move forward by offering the ATC service to the first responders and commercial customers who need seamless satellite and terrestrial voice and data access for emergency back up communications when the local telephone infrastructure is disrupted.

Currently with the Globalstar satellite service you must use the phone outdoors with an 80% view of the sky or use an external antenna on the building or vehicle. While in satellite mode you must have line of site to the satellite to be able to receive a signal. This limits the use of the portable phone to be primarily used outside. The Globalstar phone in satellite mode cannot be used like a common cellular phone in a building or vehicle. If Globalstar moves forward in developing the ATC service customers will have the best of both worlds a phone that can be used anywhere in the U.S. indoors or outdoors. Wow! A hand held phone that works everywhere “NO DEAD SPOTS.” If Globalstar is able to develop this complete blanket of communication with a truly from anywhere to everywhere voice and data communication they would have a customer base that would explode. Adding broadband data and multi media applications in a seamless blanket of communication we could see a new era in wireless communications.

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