MILPITAS, Calif., Dec. 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government and individuals, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Globaltouch West Africa Limited (GWAL) based in Nigeria. GWAL will offer Globalstar satellite voice and data services to customers in Nigeria, the surrounding portions of Western Africa, as well as parts of the coastal Atlantic and Gulf of Guinea maritime region. GWAL is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, and the new satellite gateway ground station will be located in Kaduna, Nigeria. Globalstar, Inc. will own 30 percent of the new venture.
"Today's announcement is just another example of our ongoing international strategic commitment to further expand and improve Globalstar's geographic satellite coverage for our roaming customers working in the region as well as future domestic Nigerian users", said Tony Navarra, President of Global Operations for Globalstar, Inc. Mr. Navarra added, "We are very pleased to be working with GlobalTouch as we continue to expand into new and what we expect to be economically viable markets. With Nigeria being rich in oil, natural gas, and other remote natural resources, there is definitely potential demand for satellite voice and data services, capable of operating in areas far beyond the reach of terrestrial and other wireless communications infrastructure."
"Globaltouch West Africa has been working diligently behind the scenes for many years in an effort to bring satellite services to Nigeria and the neighboring countries", said Eng I.A. Mohammed, Managing Director of Globaltouch West Africa Ltd. "We now have all the necessary regulatory approval and work on the site in Kaduna has started. We welcome Globalstar's stake in our business and the expertise they will bring in successfully delivering Globalstar services in our region. We are planning to commence service in the second half of 2008."
According to the agreement, GWAL will provide satellite two-way voice and both duplex and simplex data services throughout the region being covered by the new satellite gateway. Globalstar currently provides limited satellite services coverage in Northern Africa via two European satellite gateways located in Turkey and France.
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 285,000 activated satellite voice and data units, Globalstar offers satellite services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's voice and data 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 tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.
For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com
About Globaltouch (West Africa) Limited
Globaltouch (West Africa) Limited (GWAL) is a Nigerian company licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to offer Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) in partnership with Globalstar Inc.
Promoted by a group of private Nigerian investors, Globaltouch is poised to become a market leader in satellite based telecommunications services in the Nigerian telecom market described by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as the fastest growing market in the world. Globaltouch will offer mobile and fixed satellite telephone services, simplex and duplex data modems and flexible service packages. Our primary goal is to provide reliable, cost effective communications for organizations and people no matter where they are located in the region. Globaltouch will provide communications services in remote areas where there are little or no cellular services today.
The Globaltouch satellite gateway will be located near Kaduna, Nigeria and will provide full service coverage to Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries as well as parts of the coastal Atlantic and Gulf of Giunea maritime region.
In the future you may access more further information by visiting our website at www.globaltouchwa.com
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
This press release contains certain statements such as, "GWAL will offer Globalstar satellite voice and data services to customers in Nigeria, the surrounding portions of Western Africa, as well as parts of the coastal Atlantic and Gulf of Guinea maritime region," and, "We are planning to commence service in the second half of 2008," 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 Globalstar's control, including demand for the Company's products and services; problems relating to the construction, launch or in-orbit performance of its existing and future satellites, problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by it or by independent gateway operators; its ability to attract sufficient additional funding if needed to meet its future capital requirements; 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; its 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 the Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements. Additional information on factors that could influence Globalstar's financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.