FCC grants Globalstar permission for terrestrial service

Globalstar LLC, a mobile satellite voice and data services provider, announced that it has been granted Ancillary Terrestrial Component services (ATC) authority by FCC. ATC authority allows the company to use 11 MHz of its 1.6/2.4 GHz satellite radio frequencies for terrestrial base stations and mobile terminals to complement its existing satellite service. Thus the company will be able to provide seamless wireless solution for various voice, broadband data, and multi media wireless applications even to urban areas, which normally can't be reached by satellite phone signals. The new Globalstar service will be accessible via dual mode satellite/cellular phone, after the installation of the ATC base stations. ATC base stations are planned to be similar in size and cost to cellular ones and to be either fixed or transportable for temporary operation.

Source: Globalstar