globalstar The Globalstar network is said to cater more to the business traveler than other satellite services due to its remarkable flexibility. It's a safe assumption that in this day and age, most business professionals are attached to some kind of cellular service be it through their business, personal or both. Therefore, wouldn't it be convenient if business travelers were able to utilize a cellular service and a mobile satellite service through a single device? Globalstar thought so. Globalstar designed a tri-band handset that was capable of working with cellular AMPS and CDMA networks, as well as their own network of 48 low earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites. The most incredible feature of the tri-band handset is its ability to switch from cellular network to satellite network automatically, even during a call. This is an important feature because you might be able to get cellular service in an area where you generally wouldn't expect to find it; and considering that the costs of satellite service far outweigh the costs of cellular service, it is a feature that could end up saving you hundreds of dollars. (The satellite service can only be activated when no cellular network is available) Although this service flexibility can save you hundreds of dollars, it also has a downside; that being its coverage area. Due to the fact that Globalstar operates on both the AMPS and CDMA systems, their service is limited to the locations in which these standards are supported; this includes the Americas, some parts of Asia and Russia. By the same token, they are also limited to the coverage area provided by their 48 satellite network, which includes approximately 100 countries and numerous territorial waters and Oceans. Globalstar has comparisons with both its main rivals, Iridium and Inmarsat. Like Iridium, Globalstar's network is comprised of a large number of LEO's, and because of that, is more likely to lose a signal due to the fact that the signal is transferred via more than one satellite link. Another similarity between the two systems is that both declared bankruptcy in 1999 only to reinvent themselves and return in 2001. Like Inmarsat, Globalstar offers higher data transfer rates than Iridium, allowing for greater data/fax transfer capabilities. Through the utilization of a PDA or laptop, both email and Internet services are possible, however they can only offer limited coverage. The following is a list of some of the available Globalstar products and their respective prices: Globalstar Mobile Satellite Phone GSP-1600 Handheld $599.00 9,600 KBps CDMA packet data 3.75 hrs of talk time / 19 hrs standby Globalstar Fixed Satellite Phones GSP-2900 $1999 - $2599 Voice & Data Capable FAU-200 $999.00 Voice services only ============================================================================ > > > Get information regarding other SATELLITE PHONE SERVICES ============================================================================

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