MILPITAS, Calif., Sept. 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments, and consumers, today announced that it has commenced installation of network upgrades, supplied by Comtech Aero Astro, designed to enhance the overall customer messaging capacity and the data receiver sensitivity of the Globalstar Simplex data network. Globalstar's highly reliable Simplex data network is used to support a variety of emergency asset, fleet management and personal tracking applications as well as Globalstar's award-winning SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm) products.
"We anticipate these upgrades will expand our current Simplex data subscriber messaging capacity by as much as 10 times and increase our receiver sensitivity of the network by perhaps up to 40 percent," said Peter Dalton, Chief Executive Officer, Globalstar, Inc. "The implementation of these upgrades not only expands the size of the Simplex customer base we can support but also demonstrates Globalstar's continued commitment to broadening the domestic and international market for both our consumer retail SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger products as well as our commercial market M2M integrated data services."
The increased receiver sensitivity resulting from the upgrades is expected to expand Globalstar's geographic Simplex coverage area and offer enhanced reliability in certain usage environments and operating conditions. Earlier this month Globalstar began installing the upgrades at its gateway ground station facility located in Wasilla, Alaska. The Company plans to complete the installation of the enhanced software at all of its gateways equipped with Simplex data appliques by late October.
In addition to supporting the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger and various asset tracking product solutions, the Globalstar Simplex data network is also used to support 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.
"As we move towards transitioning to our second-generation constellation, Simplex data is expected to grow in importance, therefore we are committed to continue supporting our Simplex customers and distributors via improvements to our global ground network," said Steven Bell, Senior Vice President, North American and European Sales Operations. "Our product integrators and manufacturers also continue to design and develop new and innovative Simplex data solutions therefore the implementation of these upgrades also further demonstrates to them our resolve and long-term commitment to growing the satellite data market."
For additional sales information concerning Globalstar's Simplex data services please contact Bob Bennett at (408) 933-4441 or via email at bob.bennett@globalstar.com
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 350,000 subscribers, Globalstar is the world's largest provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Globalstar offers these services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's 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 and personal tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.
For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
This press release contains certain statements such as, "We anticipate these network upgrades will expand our current Simplex data subscriber messaging capacity by as much as 10 times and increase our receiver sensitivity of the network by perhaps up to 40 percent," 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 our control, including demand for our products and services, including commercial acceptance of our new Simplex products, including SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, and the ability to retain and migrate our two-way communications services subscribers to our second-generation constellation when it is deployed; problems relating to the construction, launch or in-orbit performance of our existing and future satellites, including the effects of the degrading ability of our first-generation satellite constellation to support two-way communication; problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by us or by independent gateway operators; 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; our 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 we undertake no obligation to update any such statements. Additional information on factors that could influence our financial results is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.