MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 9, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), the world's largest provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments and individuals, today announced its newly completed gateway or ground station located in Singapore is now operational. The new gateway provides Globalstar satellite coverage throughout Singapore, Malaysia, and significant portions of Indonesia, and much of the surrounding maritime region including the Strait of Malacca. Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) has commenced operating the gateway located at SingTel's Seletar Satellite earth Station facility and is preparing to launch Globalstar satellite services by the end of 2008.
"Today's announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to strategically expand the markets for our high value satellite voice and data services," said Tom Colby, Chief Operating Officer of Globalstar, Inc. Mr. Colby added, "This region of Southeast Asia contains some of the world's fastest growing economies and the Strait of Malacca, joining the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is one of the world's busiest and most important shipping lanes. Therefore the region is particularly well suited to Globalstar's commercial maritime satellite products and services. We look forward to working with our new partners at SingTel and to their upcoming service launch."
Mr. Bill Chang, SingTel's Executive Vice President for Business, said, "The completion of the Seletar satellite gateway is an important milestone in SingTel's quest to transform the global transportation and logistics industry. It further strengthens Singapore's position as a global satellite hub.
"SingTel is excited to work with Globalstar to provide customers with one-stop ICT solutions to help them operate more efficiently, reduce costs and stay ahead of the competition."
Later this year SingTel expects to offer Globalstar Simplex data solutions to customers in Southeast Asia for a variety of logistics, supply chain management and maritime asset tracking applications. It will also offer personal tracking and messaging products such as the SPOT Satellite Messenger(tm). SingTel plans to offer Globalstar's entire suite of satellite voice and Duplex and Simplex data solutions following the launch of the Globalstar second-generation constellation which is expected to begin in the second half of 2009.
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 300,000 subscribers, Globalstar is the world's largest provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Globalstar offers these services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible 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 www.globalstar.com
About SingTel
SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with operations and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond.
With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms.
To serve the needs of multi-national corporations, SingTel has a network of 37 offices in 19 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. These offices enable SingTel to deliver reliable and quality network solutions to its customers, either on its own or jointly with local partners. The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia's largest multi-market mobile operator, serving more than 185 million customers in eight markets.
SingTel employs more than 20,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of S$14.84 billion (US$10.05 billion) and net profit after tax of S$3.96 billion (US$2.68 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2008. More information can be found @ www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au.
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
This press release contains certain statements such as, "SingTel plans to offer Globalstar's entire suite of next-generation advanced satellite voice and data solutions following the launch of the Globalstar second-generation constellation which is expected to begin in the second half of 2009," 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 our SPOT Satellite Messenger product, and the ability to retain and migrate our two-way communications services subscribers to our second-generation constellation when it is deployed; problems relating to the construction, launch or in-orbit performance of our existing and future satellites; including the effects of the degrading ability of our first-generation satellite constellation to support two-way communication; problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by us or by independent gateway operators; our ability to attract sufficient additional funding to meet our future capital requirements including deployment of our second-generation constellation; competition and its competitiveness vis-a-vis other providers of satellite and ground-based communications products and services; the pace and effects of industry consolidation; the continued availability of launch insurance on commercially reasonable terms, and the effects of any insurance exclusions; 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.