IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Globalstar Successfully Completes First Commercial Second-Generation Satellite Call

COVINGTON, La., Dec. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals today announced that it has completed pre-operational testing of its first new second-generation satellite and the spacecraft has successfully processed its first commercial telephone call. The new satellite is the first of six that were launched earlier this fall and is now ready to fully support voice and duplex data services. Four of the satellites are planned to be operational in the next 6 weeks with the remaining two expected to be deployed near the end of the first quarter 2011.  
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

COVINGTON, La., Dec. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals today announced that it has completed pre-operational testing of its first new second-generation satellite and the spacecraft has successfully processed its first commercial telephone call. The new satellite is the first of six that were launched earlier this fall and is now ready to fully support voice and duplex data services. Four of the satellites are planned to be operational in the next 6 weeks with the remaining two expected to be deployed near the end of the first quarter 2011.  

"Following successful intensive testing of the new spacecraft by our satellite operations control center and engineering personnel, we are pleased to announce that the first Globalstar commercial call using our new second-generation satellite was processed for a customer calling in Korea and we are proceeding with testing and deployment of the remaining five satellites," said Tony Navarra, President of Global Operations for Globalstar, Inc. 

Globalstar also announced it is making final preparations to accept delivery of two new second-generation satellites from manufacturer Thales Alenia Space. Deliveries are expected to begin this month for the second batch of six Globalstar satellites due to be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the highly reliable Soyuz launch vehicle.

Mr. Navarra added, "Today's announcement and the anticipated deliveries of our new spacecraft for our second satellite launch represent further milestone achievements for our second-generation satellite operations. Once more I applaud our highly skilled global operations employees as well as those at Thales Alenia Space, who helped make today's announcements possible."

Globalstar signed a contract with satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space in late 2006 for the design, manufacture and delivery of its second-generation constellation satellites. In 2007 Globalstar contracted with launch services provider Arianespace for a total of four launches of six satellites each using the Soyuz. Globalstar plans to integrate the 24 new second-generation satellites with the eight first-generation satellites that were launched in 2007, to form a 32 satellite constellation. 

As each new Globalstar satellite becomes operational, service availability and reliability improvements will benefit those customers who use the Company's voice and Duplex data services. With each subsequent launch, these customers can expect a progressive return to the high quality system access and data session performance metrics customers enjoyed before 2007.  

The new satellites are designed to support Globalstar's current lineup of voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services including the Company's lineup of SPOT retail consumer products. The advanced constellation combined with the Company's next-generation ground network, expected to be installed by 2012, is designed to provide Globalstar customers with enhanced future services featuring increased data speeds of up to 256 kbps in a flexible Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) configuration. Products and services supported are expected to include: push-to-talk and multicasting, advanced messaging capabilities such as multimedia messaging or MMS, geo-location services, multi-band and multi-mode handsets, and data devices with GPS integration. 

About Globalstar, Inc.

With over 425,000 subscribers, Globalstar is a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Globalstar offers these services to commercial customers and recreational consumers with coverage in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ and flexible airtime service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar 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. 

For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at

The Globalstar, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8183

Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases

This press release contains certain statements such as, "The advanced constellation combined with the Company's next-generation ground network, expected to be installed by 2012, is also designed to provide Globalstar customers with enhanced future services," that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including demand for our products and services, including commercial acceptance of our new Simplex products, including the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger; problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by us or by independent gateway operators; the pace and effects of industry consolidation; changes in technology; our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel; worldwide economic, geopolitical and business conditions and risks associated with doing business on a global basis; and legal, regulatory, and tax developments, including changes in domestic and international government regulation.

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statements. Additional information on factors that could influence our financial results is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

CONTACT: Globalstar, Inc. For further media information: Dean Hirasawa (985) 335-1505 Dean.hirasawa@globalstar.com Skyya Communications Susan Donahue (646) 454-9378 Susan.donahue@skyya.com