Globalstar Responds to FCC Decision on Wireless Broadband Services

By Rahul Arora, TMCnet Contributor

Globalstar, Inc., a provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals, has responded to the recent U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to grant LightSquared (News - Alert) Subsidiary LLC (LightSquared), a conditional waiver of the Integrated Service Rule.

"With this order, LightSquared has been granted the authority to provide terrestrial-only wireless broadband services using mobile satellite spectrum,” said L. Barbee Ponder, general counsel and vice president of Regulatory Affairs, Globalstar (News - Alert), Inc., in a press release. “This relaxation of the gating criteria for LightSquared is necessitated by the explosive growth of spectrum-hungry mobile broadband devices. We look forward to the FCC (News - Alert) extending similar flexibility to other mobile satellite services providers including Globalstar.   

"We are also pleased with the FCC's continued recognition that the L-band portion of the mobile satellite spectrum is suitable for delivering mobile broadband to consumers and helping meet the Commission's significant spectrum objectives outlined in the National Broadband Plan," Ponder added. 

Globalstar has over 425,000 subscribers to whom it provides mobile satellite voice and data services. These services are offered to commercial customers and recreational consumers with coverage in more than 120 countries around the world. Globalstar's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger and flexible airtime service packages.

Thanks to the solutions from Globalstar, many satellite-based and maritime industries have benefited with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.  The company has also launched its second-generation satellite constellation designed to restore its industry leading commercial voice and duplex data services.

Kevin Martin, former chairman of the FCC, will give a keynote address on Wednesday, Feb. 2, during ITEXPO East 2011, being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Don’t wait. Register now.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf

(source: http://fixed-mobile-convergence.tmcnet.com/topics/mobile-communications/articles/140428-globalstar-responds-fcc-decision-wireless-broadband-services.htm)