Globalstar announced Tuesday that its South Africa subsidiary, Globalstar Satellite Services (Pty) Ltd., has received a value-added network-services license from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
Under the license, Globalstar Southern Africa can now proceed with its plans to provide satellite voice and data services to the region. The company, established last March, filed its application for a license with the ICASA in May.
In 2000, a Globalstar satellite ground station was constructed in Delareyville, South Africa, with the intent to provide satellite service to South Africa and its neighboring countries and coastal waters.
Although the facility was completed and tested, commercial service was never initiated because of a number of unresolved regulatory and licensing issues. The gateway, now owned by Telkom South Africa, has been dormant since 2002.
