Iridium Satellite Phone Service

SATELLITE PHONE SERVICE FAQ

GLOBALSTAR Frequently Asked Questions 

• When was Satellite Phone Service made available in North America?
• Who has subscribed to Globalstar phone services?
• How much do Satellite Phone Services cost?
• How does the Globalstar Satellite Phone Service work?
• Do Satellite Phone Service work just like cell phones?
• What are the differences between the FAU-200 and the GSP-2900 Fixed Satellite Phone Service?

When was Globalstar satellite phone service made available in North America?

has been rolling out its services on a progressive basis since the fall of 1999. Globalstar introduced its commercial phone services in three phases: "Friendly Users" trials began in October 1999, introductory phone service to a preliminary number of customers was available in November 1999, and full commercial satellite phone service was introduced across North America in February, 2000.

Who has subscribed to Globalstar services?

It is estimated that 50 per cent of the world has little or no phone service. The advent of affordable satellite telephony and other wireless services will change this, since it eliminates the need for costly landline or wireless network infrastructures.

Business, government, and even recreational users need the ability to communicate wherever they are located or travelling. With many regions not having existing landline or cellular coverage there is a distinct need for with its reliable and high quality voice and data services. These users are from a variety of industries:

• Companies in the natural resources business, specifically oil and gas, mining and forestry enterprises
• Maritime industry, fishing boats, and recreational boaters
• Transportation, such as railways and trucking
• Cellular users who are looking to extend the range of their existing service
• Various federal and provincial government agencies
• Leisure businesses in remote areas and recreational enthusiasts who fish, hunt, snowmobile etc.
• Recreational vehicles, cruise ships etc.
• Global business travelers who travel to destinations where local telephone service is unreliable or expensive

Also, in rural or underserved areas where landline phone service doesn't exist or is of poor quality, Globalstar can provide voice and data service through it's fixed user terminals.

How much do Globalstar Satellite Phone Service cost?

Phones
Globalstar's mobile unit, the GSP-1600, has an SRP of $749, by far the most competitively priced satellite phone in the market. Fixed units start from $999 for the FAU-200. 

Airtime Rates
Globalstar offers the best-in-class Satellite Phone Service call rates in the US. North American calls can start as low as $0.17 per minute on the Powerline 3000 price plan. Other price plans are available. 

Back to Top

Do Satellite Phone Service work just like cell phones?

Globalstar satellite phone service offer many of the same characteristics as cellular phones, including a similar user interface and design. One of the main differences between satellite phones and cell phones is that the user must put up a larger satellite phone antenna in order to receive satellite signals. Globalstar features one of the smallest and lightest satellie phones in the satellite phone service industry. Satellite phones are slightly larger in size than cellular phones because the satellite phone antenna system required to communicate on the satellite frequencies must be larger than a cellular phone antenna. Another fundamental difference between traditional wireless phones and satellite phone service, is that when the satellite phone is in satellite mode, as with all satellite mobile phones, it must be within satellite line-of-sight in order to complete calls. Therefore the satellite phone service cannot be used indoors. However, Globalstar satellite phones will work indoors in cellular mode when the user is within a cellular-serviced area.
If satellite phone services are required indoors, Globalstar offers two options. The GSP-2900 fixed satellite phone and the FAU-200 fixed satellite phone. Either can be used indoors in satellite phone mode as they have external remote satellite antennas to create line of sight with the Satellite Network.

Back to Top

What are the differences between the FAU-200 and the GSP-2900 Fixed Satellite Phones?

The following chart outlines the differences between the FAU-200 and the GSP-2900 fixed satellite phones.

Back to Top