Globalstar will use the Geneva Telecom 99 starting October 10 as the official launch of its service, marking the first phase of its progress roll-out.
At the show, Globalstar will demonstrate a variety of satellite-based phone products, including lightweight portable phones, fixed application phones, and payphones, as well as maritime and car kit phones.
Representatives from Globalstar's worldwide service providers will be on hand to answer questions about service in their region, giving the booth a truly global feel.
Show attendees can sample Globalstar's telephones, including Qualcomm's tri-mode (Globalstar/CDMA/AMPS) phone, Ericsson's super-light R290 dual-mode (Globalstar/GSM) phone, Telital's dual-mode (Globalstar/GSM) handset and Schlumberger designed pay phones.
Globalstar's service will be delivered through a 48-satellite LEO constellation that will provide wireless telephone service in virtually every populated area of the world.
To date, Globalstar has 36 satellites in orbit and with this number will be able to initiate a progressive regional roll-out of service this autumn.
Sixteen additional satellites will be launched through the remainder of the year, increasing system capacity and coverage, and forming Globalstar 's final 48-satellite constellation with four in-orbit spares, with a capacity of 7.5 million users.
Globalstar has already successfully conducted its first series of voice calls, testing the satellite air interface, gateways, telephone units, and public switched telephone network (PSTN) connections.
Recent phone calls have successfully demonstrated Globalstar's patented path diversity function and have validated Globalstar's simple and reliable system design and architecture.
Based in San Jose, California, Globalstar is a limited partnership founded by Loral Space & Communications Ltd of New York City, and Qualcomm Inc, of San Diego, California, and includes twelve strategic partners representing the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers.
