Globalstar Completes Installation of Upgrades

Globalstar announced it has installed new hardware and software upgrades at its satellite operations and control center located in Milpitas, CA and its backup control center located in El Dorado Hills, CA. The upgrades, provided by Thales Alenia Space, are required to support the 15-year plus lifespan of the new Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation scheduled for launch beginning in September or early October of this year. The new constellation, also designed and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, is expected to provide Globalstar customers with mobile satellite voice and data services through beyond 2025.

With less than four months to go before they begin launching the second-generation satellites they announce the completion of another major operational milestone, the installation of satellite control center upgrades. As the prime contractor of Globalstar new satellite constellation, Thales was uniquely qualified to design, develop and install the necessary hardware and software control center system enhancements. Globalstar is now testing and training control teams who will manage Globalstar's first and second-generation satellites using the newly installed in-orbit test equipment until they complete deployment of our new constellation next year.

The Globalstar Satellite Operations and Control Center (SOCC) upgrades were developed using Thales' COTS product called SCC/Open, with customizations specific to the Globalstar mission. Thales is also upgrading the Globalstar's Telemetry and Command Units (TCU) and In Orbit Test (IOT) hardware and software located at the various Globalstar gateway ground stations around the world. Combined with the SOCC improvements, these upgrades provide Globalstar with the capability to administer increased second-generation satellite constellation mission operations command, support and control with minimal expert staffing and maximum task automation.

First New Satellite Phone (IsatPro) for Under $500

Satworx Offers First New Satellite Phone for Under $500 !

For the thousands of companies and individuals who rely on uninterrupted communications no matter the conditions, satellite phones just got much more practical in price and weight. Inmarsat’s global satellite phone that we got wind of earlier this year has now become available by various satellite phone providers, Satworx being one of them and is also appearing on eBay. Their $495 price tag for the iSatPhone Pro seems steep at first, but if you’re operating an adventure travel business, disaster-readiness operations or just visiting remote locations then this handset is an invaluable investment. A monthly fee of $19.95 will give you 75 cents per minute talk time. Satworx says that is cheaper than competingsatellite phone company plans by 65%.

Built to function in the most severe conditions anywhere on the globe, the phone delivers the most reliable satellite communications with exceptionally clear voice quality with a battery life of up to eight hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time. The IsatPhone Pro is enabled for satellite telephony, voicemail, text and email messaging and GPS location data. It comes equipped with Bluetooth technology for easy hands-free use and operates over global geostationary satellites that will take users through the year 2020 and beyond. The phone itself is built with an intuitive GSM-style interface with a high-visibility screen and a larger keypad for easy dialing with gloves on.

Satellite phone usage and interest have grown exponentially with companies expanding business into remote areas of the world, renewed interest in adventure travel and disaster-readiness plans that command the need for reliable communication. Over 1.1 million people subscribed to satellite phone services in 2009 and that number is poised to grow in 2010. Whether for business continuity plans or emergency preparedness plans, Satworx continues to deliver the most economical solutions that allow companies and government organizations at all levels to upgrade their capabilities while maintaining or even cutting their communications budget by up to 50%. The IsatPhone Pro from Satworx is less than half the cost to purchase and maintain than other satellite phone handsets, which makes it easy to outfit anyone who may be outside traditional cell coverage.

The world's lightest satellite phone just got lighter on your wallet. By offering the IsatPhone at the most affordable price point, the technology will be open to more businesses that send their employees to remote locations and individuals who live in areas where having a satellite phone can make the difference in saving lives in an emergency.

Owning a satellite phone enables anyone to travel, work or live confidently knowing that in the event of an emergency, their satellite phone will instantly connect them to emergency personnel. The $495 introductory price is available while supplies last.

Inmarsat rolls out IsatPhone Pro satellite phone

Inmarsat has doffed the covers of its latest global handheld satellite phone, the IsatPhone Pro. The company is said to be a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. The device hints at being the “game changer” in the specialist market, as it is available at a reasonable price. The satellite phone from Inmarsat proffers an unparalleled design at the most competitive price point in the market.

The device comes loaded with features that it claims are unrivaled by its competitors. The phone is enabled with the market’s longest battery life and the most robust handset asserted by extensive testing. The battery life lasts up to 8 hours of talk time and up to 100 hours on standby. It has been accredited to an IP54 rating, and the device is shock, dust and splash resistant. The handset functions in the widest temperature range from -20 degrees C to +55 degrees C that any satellite phone is capable of operating. Features include a fully-manoeuvrable antenna, a larger keypad for easy dialling in gloves and an intuitive GSM-style interface with a high-visibility colour screen. It offers satellite telephony, text and e-mail messaging and location data can be viewed and sent via text message.

The IsatPhone Pro is the first satellite phone to be built exclusively from scratch for the Inmarsat network. The device has been built in such a way to fulfill the need of the user, and work even in the remotest and harshest of environments. The phone is targeted at professional users in the oil and gas, aid, government, media, mining and construction industries.

Thuraya XT GPS Waypoint Navigation

Thuraya's XT handheld is the only satellite phone enabling GPS waypoint navigation services. This unique service allows users to navigate their way to a selected location with the phone providing distance and directional assistance through an electronic compass.

Since the users of satellite phones are normally based in outdoor and remote locations, they inevitably require GPS services to reach certain locations and to be reached in the event of an emergency.

Through Thuraya XT's GPS application, Thuraya's users are able to access several handy and vital services. Most significant is the ability to navigate to a waypoint that is selected by the user. Thuraya XT's GPS services allows you to save your own GPS coordinates and, based on this the phone, automatically calculates the direction and distance to any required waypoint location. Not only that but Thuraya XT is the only satellite handheld in the market that has a GPS Helper function which allows users to consistently and automatically send their location so that they can be tracked. This is an important feature for monitoring and safety purposes and the position tracking can be essential in emergency situations. Only the user can select who is able to track the phone warding off any chance of unwanted tracking and increasing privacy and security.

For further reliability, Thuraya XT allows customers to save any route taken through the Location Tracking feature which is useful in difficult terrain. The phone will automatically record your route while moving and it will save the waypoints along the route which makes it a very powerful navigation tool.