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Top Globalstar
Satellite Phone Picks for
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Rex
Strong
Telecommunications Editor
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Globalstar
Satellite Phones - Go Futher. Do More.
Globalstar is probably the world’s
largest and most popular handheld satellite phone provider.
High quality combined with low cost is the company’s
USP.
Globalstar is responsible for offering business and
recreational communication services in over 120 countries
using its satellite network.
The Globalstar System
Globalstar uses a constellation of 40 LEO satellites
that receive signals from 80% of the Earth’s surface
excluding only the extreme Polar Regions and some oceanic
areas. Globalstar also has 4 spare satellites on standby.
Every call is picked up by multiple satellites to ensure
that the call is not lost. Even if a satellite fails
to receive the call or malfunctions for any reason, the
call is picked up by other near-by satellites. This accounts
for the highly dependable service Globalstar is often
lauded for.
Once the satellite has picked up the signal it contacts
the land-based Gateway and processes the call. The Gateway
passes the call to land based fixed and cellular networks.
When calls are made to a Globalstar satellite phone,
the entire system works exactly the same – in reverse.
One big benefit of the Globalstar system is that the
software that manages the entire Globalstar system resides
in the Gateways on the ground. This means, that unlike
other satellite phone services, the Globalstar service
is extremely fast and efficient. Upgrades, modifications
and maintenance is also much easier.
The Globalstar Advantage
There are many advantages of being part of the Globalstar
satellite system.
? Globalstar uses Qualcomm’s CDMA technology to
provide clarity of sound and a superior voice quality
comparable to that of regular cell phones.
? Since Globalstar uses Low Earth Orbiting satellites
there is little or no delay in relaying calls and no
voice delay either.
? Since Globalstar’s Gateways and the software
that processes all the information resides on the ground,
the system is fast and efficient.
? Every call made to the Globalstar network is picked
up by multiple satellites. Thus, even if one satellite
is unable to receive the call for any reason it is picked
up by other satellites and routed. This means greater
reliability.
Globalstar Satellite Phones
Mobile Satellite Phone Handsets: These function as cellular
phones and satellite phones. Qualcomm, Telit and Ericcson
offer various models that work well on the Globalstar
network.
Fixed Satellite Phones: These are a specialty offered
by Globalstar and extremely popular for offices located
in isolated areas or situations that require a fixed
phone. The GAU or Global Antenna Unit is mounted in the
outdoors or on the roof where it has a clear line-of-view
of the sky to allow it to communicate with the satellites.
The actual telephone set can then be operated from inside
buildings as well. The FAU-200 is priced at an affordable
$625 onwards while the GSP-2900 series is far more expensive
and begins from $2200 onwards.
Globalstar also offers data packages to allow you to
receive and send email and browse the Internet.
You can also opt to rent a Globalstar phone and buy
some airtime to go with it if you only need the phone
for a short period or a one-off trip.
Globalstar Satellite Phone Airtime Plans
Globalstar offers monthly and yearly plans to suit the
customers’ needs. The cost varies from as low as
$0.20 / minute to $1.00 / minute depending on the plan
you buy. Prepaid airtime is slightly more expensive at
$0.99 / minute to $1.29 / minute. You can also get voicemail
facilities for $7.95 / month while SMS is generally included
in the monthly and yearly plans free of cost.
With new Gateways being set up regularly, Globalstar
is fast becoming the best satellite phone service provider
in the world.
*All prices are as of Nov 2005.
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