Globalstar USA Announces Free Trial of Its New Short Messaging Service (SMS)

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2001 /PRNewswire/ - Today Globalstar USA/Caribbean, a leading provider of satellite communications announced an expansion of its data communications product family to include Short Messaging Services (SMS). During an introductory trial period, for a limited time, all Globalstar USA and Caribbean users may receive anywhere in their home areas free of charge, 19-character text messages using a GPS-1600 handset.

"This new offering is another key expansion of the communications options available to Globalstar customers," said Dennis McSweeney, vice president and general manager of Globalstar USA. "Now they can enjoy the great voice quality that is a foundation of our service or, for brief exchanges, take advantage of SMS to communicate quickly and inexpensively."

Short messages are sent via the Internet from the Globalstar USA home page at www.globalstarusa.com. After a customer accesses the Web site, they enter the 10-digit satellite phone number of the recipient they intend to send a message to. Then they enter the 19-character message (alpha, spaces, numeric, and symbols are accepted in English, French and Spanish characters). After you press the "Send Message" button, the Web page will provide the delivery status of the message ("OK," your message has been accepted, or "Problem"). The sender will know if their message was successful or if they need to try again based on the status report. Messages can also be sent from any standard email service. The destination phone number (Globalstar USA phone number @msg.globalstarusa.com) indicates the recipient and the message is contained in the subject line.

When the phone is in satellite mode the messages are immediately delivered to the handset. All the undelivered messages will be stored in the network and delivery attempts will be made for up to five days. The GSP-1600 satellite phone will store up to 90 messages of 19 characters each (more than 1,700 total characters). The oldest message will automatically be deleted and the incoming message will be added after the storage capacity has been reached. To retain your messages in memory you can lock them on the phone.

"We want our customers to try this new service free of charge in the home area for a few months to see how easy it is to use," McSweeney said. "Meanwhile, we are working to upgrade the service to 200 characters or more in the future."

Businesses and individuals can purchase Globalstar mobile satellite phones through Globalstar USA and Globalstar Caribbean distributors. Visit our Web site at: www.globalstarusa.com for a list of more than 700 dealer locations through the U.S. and the Caribbean . Phones can also be purchased by calling 877-SATPHONE (877-728-7466) or 925-988-4499.

About Globalstar USA/Caribbean

Globalstar USA and Globalstar Caribbean is an exclusive service provider in the United States and the Caribbean . They are responsible for selling, marketing and distributing mobile satellite communication services, including billing and customer care operations, as well as operating and building the United States and Caribbean ground stations, or “gateways.” This calls to and from the satellite to the land-based public switched telephone network. Globalstar USA and Caribbean are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Vodafone Group Plc. Vodafone Group Plc is a partner of Globalstar Limited Partnership, which is of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment providers that built, operates and owns the satellite network. Visit www.globalstarusa.com for more information.