GlobalCom now offers the Globalstar E-Star Emergency Plan
Customers have been asking for it and now it is here. Many customers have told us they want a phone for only critical emergency use, but do not wish to purchase a package of minutes. The
E-Star Emergency Plan is designed for this type of customer. This type of customer wants a “pay as you go” service. This will allow more customers to take advantage of this new low cost service. This new service will allow customers to have the peace of mind that they can stay in touch in the event the local telephone infrastructure is disrupted.
The E-Star Emergency plan is very affordable at only $29.95 per month. Calls are a simple flat rate of $1.49 per minute from anywhere in the U.S. and Caribbean to everywhere in the U.S. Voice mail is a option for $7.95 a month and Express Data is a option for $9.95 a month. The reliable Globalstar satellite service offers phone service in areas where landline and cellular is not available or disrupted. The Emergency plan will have 60 second rounding of the voice minutes instead to the 30-second rounding available on the other plans after the first full minute. There is no package minutes included with this plan. The customer simply has a “pay as you go” service. A minimum of two lines of service must be initially activated with the Emergency plan. A one year service agreement is required. Customers can combine the Emergency Plan with any other active line of service. If a customer’s contract has expired they can change to the Emergency Plan with no penalty.
Why must there be two phones activated with service? When trying to establish communication in an area where the landline and cellular networks are disrupted a satellite phone will not be able to make an inbound calls into a landline or cellular network that is not functioning. With this in mind to establish completely reliable communication you must bypass the telephone systems that is disrupted. The Globalstar satellite system does not rely on terrestrial telephone systems when communicating from satellite phone to satellite phone. A number of satellite phone users did not understand this after hurricane Katrina. When using a satellite phone to call a disrupted landline it does not make the disrupted landline suddenly function. Communicating between satellite phones would bypass the disputed area of terrestrial telephone service. The way is works when communicating from
Globalstar phone to Globalstar phone the signal starts from the handset or fixed site unit goes to anywhere from one to four of the 48 Globalstar satellites in the constellation where it is relayed to a ground station where it is sent back up to a the satellite constellation and then down to the other handset of fixed site unit. This way is does not use the terrestrial landline or cellular telephone service in anyway. This is why satellite communication is critical to emergency communications. For more information no how the Globalstar system works to go this link
Globalstar Satellite Phones
Approval paves way for Globalstar to offer seamless satellite/terrestrial wireless solutions for government and industry
MILPITAS, Calif., January 23, 2006 – Globalstar LLC (GLLC), a world leader in providing mobile satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it has been granted authority from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer Ancillary Terrestrial Component services (ATC) in the U.S. in conjunction with its mobile satellite services. In its release, 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 went on to say that the decision “will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.”
Globalstar is now capable of developing and offering ATC over its existing satellite constellation, using small portable lightweight, fully featured, dual mode handsets.
ATC authority allows Globalstar to use 11 MHz of its 1.6/2.4 GHz satellite radio frequencies for a complementary terrestrial wireless service permitting the company to develop integrated mobile voice and data solutions virtually anywhere including urban areas and indoors. With ATC approval, Globalstar can offer a ubiquitous and seamless wireless solution for various voice, broadband data, and multi media wireless applications. Globalstar may potentially offer an all IP overlay network to various terrestrial wireless operators who currently only offer voice and low rate data services. Globalstar will then have the capability to offer enterprise business solutions with reduced dependence on the wireline network and decreased or eliminated, corresponding long distance charges.
Globalstar demonstrated the feasibility of ATC service in New York and Washington in July 2002 by pairing a modification of its dual mode satellite/cellular phone with a small, transportable base station. ATC base stations will be similar in size and cost to cellular base stations and can be either fixed in one location or transportable for temporary operation.
Using terrestrial ATC base stations and/or repeaters to complement the satellite service, Globalstar will be able to offer services in indoor or downtown urbanized areas that have traditionally limited mobile satellite coverage. Globalstar’s primary ATC applications will be the enhancement of wireless service in urban areas, where buildings and other infrastructure can physically block satellite signals, and the provisioning of self-contained, transportable local area networks for remote locations or where communications are disrupted during disasters and emergencies.
FCC approval for ATC will also provide Globalstar with the opportunity to develop increased capacity, a broader customer base, and consequently economies of scale and increased pricing flexibility, not available to a satellite only provider. Globalstar is also currently participating in various foreign regulatory forums in order that it may apply for similar ATC products and service type approvals in other countries.
Globalstar can now accelerate the development of its ATC service for first responders and other government and commercial customers who may require seamless satellite and terrestrial voice and data access, either temporarily or as part of their telecommunications infrastructure.
Because of its ability to provide both cellular type and satellite communications, ATC product has the potential to become a valuable tool for emergency first responders, especially when challenged with disruptions in the local terrestrial or cellular networks. “The five successive hurricanes of 2004 plus the severity of last year’s hurricane season underscored the need for reliable communications in the event of an emergency,” said Jay Monroe, CEO and Chairman of Globalstar LLC. Monroe went on to add, “we are extremely pleased with the decision made by the FCC, for it will allow Globalstar to continue its leadership role in the development of inexpensive, innovative communications solutions for emergency preparedness and worldwide business applications. It will also provide Globalstar with the mandate to continue to grow the overall satellite marketplace by expanding the scope of voice and broadband data solutions.”
