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.

Pivotel Asset Tracking Services on Globalstar Network

Pivotel offers supply and installation services for a range of asset tracking systems suitable for monitoring mobile assets. TracerTrak is an innovative asset tracking product supplied by Pivotel. The TracerTrak systems can be used for tracking fleet trucks and vehicles. Pivotel provides reliable and cost effective supply, installation and support services for a range of asset tracking systems and accessories. The satellite tracking unit of the asset tracking system can be attached to mobile assets. The self contained tracking systems sends security alarm signals to the Globalstar satellite network.

The remote monitoring systems provided by Pivotel can be accessed through satellite phones. The TracerTrak asset tracking system comes with an easy to use interface. Other satellite communication products distributed by Pivotel include data modems, satellite communication units, data enabled mobiles, and data kits. The GSP 1600 model of handsets supplied by Pivotel come with built in data modems. The GSP 1600 handsets have three way calling, call hold, auto-answer and caller waiting features. Pivotel offers efficient support services to its clients with telecommunication needs.

The data kits supplied by Pivotel can be used with GSP1600 model of handsets. The data kits provide internet access to the handsets.

The smallest satellite telephone GSP-1700

Satellite phones have traditionally been big, bulky monsters that look more like bricks than actual phones. But just like their cellular phone cousins, satellite phones are also getting smaller. When you hit the road, you make do with our ordinary GSM handsets for voice calls, but that strategy doesn't always work when you are reporting from, say, the rural fringes of Kazakhstan.

After Thuraya, Globalstar debuted the world's smallest, lightest handset for use on a global satellite network. The new GSP-1700 mobile satellite telephone, which operates on the Globalstar satellite network in more than 120 countries and six continents around the world, is nearly half the weight of the company's current satellite handsets weighing in at approximately 7.1 ounces or 203 grams. And it's close to 45 percent smaller than Globalstar's other satellite phones. The lithium-ion battery is designed to provide users with four hours of talk time and 36 hours of standby time. The GSP-1700 is being manufactured by Qualcomm.

GSP-1700 is Globalstar's smallest satphone to date. In addition, this Qualcomm handset packs an EV-DO modem, so you can get high-speed data access from "virtually anywhere you can see sky," according to the company's website. We're not sure on the price of this handset, but given that its predecessor, the GSP-1600 goes for $750 (without a service plan), it's a safe bet that this one will go for at least that much when it's released "in the coming months."