COVINGTON, La., July 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments and consumers, is encouraged by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiation of proceedings to make wireless spectrum available for mobile broadband networks using mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum. The FCC has announced it is taking steps, "to make additional spectrum available for new investment in mobile broadband networks by promoting flexible use and removing barriers, while ensuring robust mobile satellite capabilities." In its recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry the FCC also stated, "three frequency bands that are allocated to the MSS are capable of supporting broadband service," including the, "Big LEO Band from 1610-1626.5 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz." Globalstar provides services to approximately 400,000 subscribers in the United States and over 120 other countries using Big LEO Band global MSS spectrum.
"We are very pleased with the FCC's announcement and believe the Commission's initiatives will benefit both the MSS industry and the American people," said Peter Dalton, CEO of Globalstar, Inc. "We appreciate the FCC's recognition of the important public safety and rural connectivity services already provided by Globalstar and we expect to play an expanded role in building the world's fastest and most innovative mobile broadband networks here in the United States. With the launch of our second-generation satellite constellation expected to begin in less than 90 days, we are well positioned to help fulfill the FCC's goal of ensuring that the MSS industry remains robust while looking for ways to utilize Globalstar's spectrum to advance the goals of the Broadband Plan. We look forward to actively participating in the FCC's MSS spectrum and wireless broadband proceedings."
"We are also encouraged by the FCC's overtures to study and perhaps remove regulatory barriers to terrestrial use of MSS spectrum. Globalstar is already fulfilling the FCC's goal of ensuring that MSS spectrum is put to efficient and effective use for terrestrial broadband services through our ATC agreement with wireless broadband provider Open Range Communications which has contracted to use both our L and S-band spectrum authority to deliver broadband services to all Americans."
Globalstar is licensed by the FCC to use a total of 19.275 MHz of its Big LEO spectrum (1610-1617.775/2483.5-2495 MHz) for ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) use. Open Range Communications began offering wireless broadband Internet services to subscribers in rural America in November 2009 and the Company is expected to provide service to over 200 rural communities by the end of 2010.
About Globalstar, Inc.
With approximately 400,000 subscribers, Globalstar is a leading 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
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
This press release contains certain statements such as, "With the launch of our second-generation satellite constellation expected to begin in less than 90 days, we are well positioned to help fulfill the FCC's goal of ensuring that the MSS industry remains robust while looking for ways to utilize Globalstar's spectrum to advance the goals of the Broadband Plan," 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 Simplex products and the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, our 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; 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.