Globalstar introduction of Static IP and VPN enhanced services further solidifies company’s position in the growing mobile satellite data industry
MILPITAS, Calif., January 10, 2006 –
Globalstar, the world‘s most widely used handheld satellite phone and a provider of satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it has launched Static IP (Internet Protocol) address and virtual private network or VPN capability for its satellite data customers throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. The new services are possible due to enhancements at various gateway ground stations located throughout North America.
Once Static IP is set-up, a single IP address is assigned to a customer’s Globalstar modem, delivering a constant address and affording greater communication possibilities through the Globalstar network. With the introduction of the Static IP service and associated data modems, Globalstar customers will now be able to initiate the transmission of data information or poll their various fixed and mobile assets located throughout North America, even when those assets are located in remote areas, well beyond standard terrestrial wireless or wireline coverage.
The Globalstar Static IP address modems will communicate to specific IP addresses using the new VPN service and the introduction of the VPN service will provide Globalstar customers with an enhanced level of security when making use of the Internet.
“This is another important step for Globalstar, as we continue to meet our customer’s demands and grow our suite of satellite voice and data solutions,” said Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar LLC. The new services are ideal for large corporate customers who require VPN email access. Customers with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and other telemetry monitoring requirements will also be able to use the service to initiate access to their various remote assets.
With these announcements, Globalstar continues to position itself as a leader in the mobile satellite industry in general and the satellite data arena in particular. Monroe went on to add, “the satellite data industry is one of the fastest growing areas of our business, with our simplex data customer base growing by approximately 300% in 2005. These duplex data announcements will only continue to strengthen our overall position in the marketplace.”
GLOBALSTAR ACQUIRES INDEPENDENT SATELLITE
Acquisition to improve service to customers and further demonstrates Globalstar’s continued commitment to the expansion of its mobile satellite voice and data business.
MILPITAS, Calif., January 05, 2006 -
Globalstar, the world‘s most widely used handheld satellite phone and a provider of satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of Globalstar Americas Telecommunications, Ltd., Globalstar Americas Holdings Ltd., and Astral Technologies Investments, Ltd. These three companies are currently privately held and are authorized by
Globalstar to provide
Globalstar service throughout Central America, including Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. They also own and operate the Globalstar satellite gateway ground station located near Managua, Nicaragua. The gateway provides Globalstar satellite customers with access to the local public telephone system throughout the region.
The transaction is expected to close in mid-January 2006 and upon closing will be effective for financial purposes at the close of business on December 31, 2005.
“This announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to improve Globalstar service for both our international customers working in the region, as well as domestic users throughout much of Central America,” said Steven Bell, Senior Vice President, International Sales, Marketing and Customer Operations for Globalstar LLC. Bell also added, “By acquiring this operation, Globalstar onceagain demonstrates the commitment to our corporate strategy of providing unique and uniform satellite voice and data services to our customers by expanding our capabilities in various regions throughout the world.” Globalstar will now look at various ways of improving service for its satellite customers in the Central America region, by evaluating the potential introduction of various product solutions and roaming pricing alternatives already in place in North America and other regions around the world. The company will also evaluate potential service realignment options to improve service for the region.
Today’s announcement illustrates the ongoing fulfillment on Globalstar’s corporate strategy to profitably grow its satellite voice and data business throughout the Americas and around the world. This Globalstar LLC acquisition, the fifth acquisition of an independent Globalstar operator to date, also creates unified service for most of the Americas increasing the quality of service and simplicity of pricing and product offerings for international and local users throughout the region. In addition, Globalstar announced in November it was expanding its simplex data service into parts of Central and South America. This news was preceded by other Globalstar growth activities in 2005 including the development of the Wasilla, Alaska gateway, the introduction of service from its Sebring, Florida gateway, a US$140 million agreement with QUALCOMM for the manufacture of current and next-generation fixed and mobile
satellite phones and the release of new product, pricing and service offerings.
