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Globalstar
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 Globalstar
was
launched in spring 2000. The initial coverage was so restricted that
Globalstar was nick-named "Localstar," but lately the coverage has
greatly improved.
By signing up with local service providers around the globe, Globalstar
has
expanded rapidly and should have worldwide coverage within the
next couple of years.
In 2003, Globalstar also significantly reduced the price of their handsets (app. $500) and the
call cost (down to $0.17/min for large volumes), beating competition
solid where the Globalstar coverage applies.
 Globalstar
still lacks technology to cover areas below 70 deg south and above 70 deg
north at the present. As
expeditions to Himalaya, Arctic and Antarctica can't use Globalstar due
to lack of coverage, the satellite system has not yet become popular
with the high-end adventure
community. The situation in North America and South America is
another story however. Globalstar is the fastest growing
satellite provider in those areas.
Globalstar transmits data at a true 9.8 kb/s and has been used successfully
in the high north,
all the way up Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska.
There are 48 satellites in the constellation, orbiting the earth at an
altitude of 1400 km (LEO). The Globalstar system uses "bent-pipe"
technology meaning your call is relayed by the satellite to an earth station (terrestrial gateway). Compare with Iridium where
one satellite can actually relay to another satellite.
Whilst the Globalstar's lack of coverage is a big downside for expeditions, there
are some advantages:
1. Minimal delay, and clear sound.
2. All terminals are double- or triple-band. The terminal will
automatically switch over to GSM or other cellular nets if available,
lowering your cost.
3. It has SMS (short messaging), enabling you to send and receive short
text messages without hooking up to a computer.
4. Price, price, price.
Globalstar is a perfect second phone for trips outside mobile
connectivity in the US and South America.
Coverage and more |
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