Sales: 800.444.2581 Support: 281.334.1174 Fax: 281.334.3320
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Sales: 800.444.2581 Support: 281.334.1174 Fax: 281.334.3320
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Constellation Update and Advisory
GLOBALSTAR SATELLITE CONSTELLATION UPDATES On October 19, 2010 Globalstar successfully launched the first six new, second-generation satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. * The launch paves the way for three additional launches of six satellites each. * Globalstar plans to complete all four launches by summer 2011. * The 24 new second-generation satellites will be integrated with the eight first-generation satellites that were launched in 2007, to form a 32 satellite constellation. The launch of 24 satellites by mid 2011 paves the way for the Company's return to offering high quality, high revenue generating mobile satellite voice and duplex data services. Once the first six new Globalstar satellites become operational, service availability and reliability improvements will benefit those customers who use the Company's voice and duplex data services. With each subsequent launch, these customers can expect a progressive return to the high quality system access and data session performance metrics customers enjoyed before 2007
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION Concerning the Globalstar Satellite Constellation
Two-Way Voice and Duplex Data Services - Temporary Limitations
As previously announced, many Globalstar satellites are experiencing an anomaly
resulting in degraded performance of the amplifiers for the S-band satellite
communications antenna. The anomaly is adversely affecting two-way voice and
data services. Customer service continues to be available, but at certain times
at any given location it may take substantially longer to establish calls and
the duration of calls may be limited. Until the new second-generation Globalstar
satellite constellation is operational, Globalstar is offering its customers a
web-based Call Times Tool, on its customer Internet sites, which subscribers may
use to predict when one or more unaffected satellites will be overhead at any
specific geographic location.
Simplex Data and Asset Tracking Services – Fully Operational
The Globalstar constellation is completely stable and fully operational in
supporting Globalstar Simplex data satellite products and asset tracking
services. Recent monitoring tests indicate that the Simplex data network is
currently operating at a successful transmission rate of greater than 99
percent. And because Globalstar's Simplex data products are also designed to
work with the second-generation satellite constellation, they are expected to
provide customers with years of high quality reliable service well into the next
decade and beyond.
2007 Spare Satellites Launches
In 2007 Globalstar launched eight spare satellites for its existing
constellation with a view to reducing the gaps in its two-way voice and data
services pending commercial availability of its second-generation satellite
constellation. These eight satellites will also be integrated into the Company's
second-generation constellation which was contracted for in late 2006.
Fall 2010 Globalstar Second Generation Satellite Update
Manufacturing of the second - generation satellites continues and constellation
deployment is expected to begin shortly with the first launch of six new
satellites scheduled for October 19, 2010. Globalstar has taken delivery of the
first six satellites from Thales Alenia Space and the new spacecraft are
currently undergoing pre-launch integration and testing at the Baikonur
Cosmodrome in Khazakstan.
Four launches of six satellites each will be conducted by launch services
provider Arianespace using the highly reliable Soyuz launch vehicle. The Soyuz
has been used to successfully launch Globalstar satellites on eight previous
occasions. Globalstar plans to integrate the 24 new second-generation satellites
with the eight first-generation satellites that were launched in 2007, to form a
32 satellite constellation.
Once the first six new Globalstar satellites are in operational orbit, the most
immediate service improvement will benefit those customers who use the Company’s
voice and Duplex data services. With each subsequent launch, these customers can
expect a progressive return to the high reliability and service quality enjoyed
before 2007.
The second-generation satellites are designed to support, and are compatible
with, Globalstar’s current lineup of voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and
services including the Company’s lineup of SPOT retail consumer products. The
advanced constellation combined with the Company’s next-generation ground
network, expected to be installed by 2012, is also designed to provide
Globalstar customers with enhanced future services featuring increased data
speeds of up to 256 kbps in a flexible Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS)
configuration. Products and services supported are expected to include:
push-to-talk and multicasting, advanced messaging capabilities such as
multimedia messaging or MMS, geo-location services, multi-band and multi-mode
handsets, and data devices with GPS integration.
For the latest updates regarding the launch of the new satellites please visit
the following link. www.globalstar.com
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