COVINGTON, La., April 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals today responded to the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Report and Order regarding the use of mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum for terrestrial mobile broadband use.
In the Report and Order dated April 6, 2011, the FCC stated, "We extend the Commission's existing secondary market 'spectrum manager' spectrum leasing policies, procedures, and rules that currently apply to wireless terrestrial services to the use of MSS/ATC [mobile satellite services/ancillary terrestrial component] spectrum for the provision of terrestrial services." The FCC added, "We anticipate issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking on subjects raised in the MSS NOI, including possible service rule changes that could increase investment and utilization of the band in a manner that further serves the public interest."
With the release of this Report and Order, the Commission continues to implement the recommendations outlined in the National Broadband Plan. This Plan recommended that the FCC accelerate terrestrial deployment in Mobile Satellite Spectrum. Specifically, the Plan provided that the FCC should accelerate efforts to rationalize ATC-authorized L-Band spectrum to make it usable for broadband ATC service and grant licensees flexibility under the ATC regime in the Big LEO band to make this spectrum permanently suitable for terrestrial broadband service. The FCC began these considerations last July by issuing a Notice of Inquiry.
"Now that we have successfully completed the FCC licensing proceedings for our second generation constellation, we look forward to participating in these future MSS flexibility proceedings wherein the FCC will consider further implementation of the recommendations from the National Broadband Plan," said L. Barbee Ponder, General Counsel and VP of Regulatory Affairs, Globalstar, Inc.
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
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CONTACT: Globalstar, Inc. Dean Hirasawa (985) 335-1505 Dean.hirasawa@globalstar.com Skyya Communications Susan Donahue (646) 454-9378 Susan.donahue@skyya.com
