MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments, and individuals, today announced that Radyne Corporation business unit AeroAstro will supply Globalstar with the necessary network upgrades that will enhance both the receiver sensitivity and the overall customer messaging capacity of the Globalstar Simplex data network.
According to the recently signed agreement, AeroAstro will provide Globalstar with the ground network upgrades needed to expand the current subscriber messaging capacity of the Globalstar Simplex data network by 10 times and increase receiver sensitivity of the network by up to 40 percent. Increased receiver sensitivity will further expand the geographic coverage area of Globalstar's gateway earth stations and is expected to improve Simplex message transmission reliability, which already exceeds 99 percent in the gateways' primary coverage area. Deliveries of the necessary upgrades are scheduled to begin in early 2008.
Globalstar's highly reliable Simplex data network is used to support a variety of aviation flight-following, emergency asset, fleet and personal tracking applications. Simplex data modem integrated solutions are also used for a number of remote monitoring and alarm applications, both within and beyond the reach of traditional wireless and terrestrial infrastructure. Information such as GPS location co-ordinates, remote status and other sensor information can be reliably sent to customers using the Globalstar Simplex network.
"Asset tracking, personal tracking and remote data monitoring are three of our most vital core customer segments and we expect the enhancements resulting from this agreement with AeroAstro will provide customers with even better service and increased messaging capacity," said Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Inc. Mr. Monroe added, "As we move towards transitioning to our second-generation constellation, Simplex data is expected to grow in importance. Therefore, we are committing to continue enhancing our global Simplex data network. This agreement demonstrates our resolve to encourage our product integrators and manufacturers to continue their innovative product design initiatives."
Earlier this year Globalstar subsidiary SPOT Inc. unveiled the new SPOT satellite messenger. SPOT integrates the location functionality of a GPS chipset with the global messaging capability offered by a Simplex data modem into an affordable and revolutionary consumer based emergency communications and tracking product.
The L-band uplink to Globalstar's constellation of satellites is completely stable in supporting all Simplex data satellite products and asset tracking services including SPOT.
For additional sales information concerning Globalstar's Simplex data services in the United States, please contact Bob Bennett at (408) 933-4441 or via email at bob.bennett@globalstar.com In Canada contact Derek Graham at (403) 710-0066 or via email at dgraham@globalstar.ca
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 275,000 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 Radyne Corporation
Radyne Corporation designs, manufactures, sells, integrates and installs products, systems and software used for the transmission and reception of data and video over satellite, troposcatter, microwave and cable communication networks. The Company sells under four brands:
* Radyne builds satellite modems, converters and switches, * Xicom Technology produces high power amplifiers, * AeroAstro is a leader in microsatellite systems, components, and advanced communications technologies, * Tiernan supplies HDTV and SDTV encoding and transmission equipment.
Radyne is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with additional offices in Santa Clara and San Diego, California, Ashburn, Virginia and Littleton, Colorado. In addition, the Company has sales offices in Singapore, Beijing, Jakarta and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our web site at www.radn.com.
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
This press release contains certain statements such as, "Deliveries of the hardware and software upgrades are scheduled to begin later this year," 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.