COVINGTON, La., Jan. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE MKT:GSAT) and the leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, announced today that its SPOT products have been used to initiate over 600 rescues in 2014 and over 500 in North America. Since the technology's launch in 2007, over 3,400 rescues have been initiated due to the SPOT product family. With hundreds of thousands of SPOT units in service globally averaging a rescue a day, SPOT delivers affordable and reliable satellite-based connectivity and real-time GPS tracking, completely independent of cellular coverage.
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"SPOT products are crucial for the outdoor recreation market and aviation, as well as a critical government and enterprise solution," said Jay Monroe, CEO and Chairman of Globalstar. "We receive reports almost daily from individuals who have thankfully had our products when they needed them most. Continuously saving lives drives us to keep innovating satellite communications solutions that reach a market well beyond traditional mobile satellite users."
SPOT products offer users peace of mind worldwide, by allowing them to track their assets, utilize location-based messaging and emergency notification technology and to make calls beyond the boundaries of cellular. Over the past seven years, boaters, hunters, recreational pilots, hikers, off-road travelers and outdoor enthusiasts have come to depend on the lifesaving capabilities of SPOT.
A noted rescue recently occurred when Tom Madlem, who had been riding motorcycles for years, embarked upon the one trip he had never taken as a biker: Death Valley. The first part of the trip was going to force him to commit the "cardinal sin" of biking – riding through the desert alone as it would take him 1-2 days to meet up with a friend traveling along with him. His wife and son convinced him to purchase a SPOT Gen3™ before the trip, just in case. On the second day of his trip, he suffered a fall on the bike – "an easy fall – one that I've experienced many times – but I'm getting older and my bones are getting brittle," Tom comments. He realized he had broken his leg and immediately activated the Gen3. Search and Rescue was there within a couple of hours.
SPOT continues to innovate with products and services that deliver peace of mind, reliable connectivity and accurate GPS tracking solutions that are relevant to millions of users around the world, such as:
- SPOT Gen3, rugged and affordable device providing off-the-grid messaging, emergency alerts, extended battery life, and extreme GPS tracking at 2 ½ minute intervals. SPOT Gen3 retails for as low as $149.95.
- SPOT Global Phone, the most affordable satellite phone available in retail, allowing users to make calls virtually ANYWHERE beyond the boundaries of cellular. SPOT Global Phone retails for as low as $499.95.
- SPOT Trace™, GPS tracking device using 100% satellite technology to track anything, anytime, anywhere. Never lose sight of your car, boat, motorcycle, ATV or other valuable gear - perfect for anyone who has something worth protecting. SPOT Trace retails for as low as $99.95.
- The SPOT App, convenient web-based interface allowing users to easily view their SPOT messages, show their track points and monitor their assets via smartphone or tablet.
The ability to send SOS notifications to GEOS and emergency dispatch services are included in the SPOT Basic Service plan. Additionally, SPOT offers the GEOS Member Rescue Benefit, for as low as $1.99 a month on an annual basis, which covers additional expenses associated with search and rescue efforts. The IERCC is staffed 24/7 with dedicated and highly trained operatives who have access to emergency responders worldwide, to ensure timely and efficient response to each emergency situation.
SPOT products are available at retailers nationwide such as West Marine, REI, Cabela's, Eastern Mountain Sports, Sportsman's Warehouse, Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain, Fry's Electronics and Sport Chalet. For a complete list of retailers carrying SPOT products, visit FindMeSPOT.com.
About SPOT LLC
SPOT LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc., provides affordable satellite communication and tracking devices for recreational use. SPOT Global Phone uses the Globalstar network to transmit two-way voice and data communications. SPOT messaging devices use both the GPS satellite network and the Globalstar network to transmit text messages and GPS coordinates. Since 2007, SPOT has provided peace of mind by allowing customers to remain in contact completely independent of cellular coverage, having initiated over 3,000 rescues worldwide. For more information, visit FindMeSPOT.com.
Note that all SPOT products described in this press release are the products of SPOT LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia. SPOT Connect is a trademark of Spot LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
