AT&T Mobility to offer TerreStar dual-mode device: Hybrid cellular/satellite smartphone to launch at carrier in early 2010

AT&T Mobility plans to offer TerreStar Networks Inc.’s dual-mode cellular/satellite Genus smartphone and mobility solution to enterprise, government and small business customers and their corporate liable users beginning in the first quarter of 2010. The partnership follows a recipricol roaming agreement signed between the two companies last year.
The new offering will allow customers to have one number whether using the device to connect to AT&T Mobility’s GSM-based cellular network or TerreStar’s satellite network that currently offers coverage in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AT&T Mobility said customers will be required to subscribe to “appropriate AT&T cellular wireless voice and data plans and a monthly satellite network access feature.” Additional roaming charges will also apply when using the satellite network, though specifics were not released, with charges appearing on a customer’s regular bill.
The TerreStar device supports quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE technologies and dual-band WCDMA/HSPA along with TerreStar’s use of the 2000-2010 MHz and 2190-2200 MHz S-band for its satellite service. It also features Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional operating system, a 2.6-inch touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, GPS and a 3-megapixel camera. Standby time for the device is estimated at up to 170 hours when using the cellular network and up to 40 hours when linked to the satellite network. Pricing for the device was not released.
“AT&T continues to drive the emergence of new categories of devices and applications that are enhanced by wireless network connectivity,” said Joe Lueckenhoff, SVP of product management, wireline and mobility services, at AT&T’s Business Solutions division. “Today’s announcement is the latest addition to our enterprise mobility portfolio. It helps our enterprise and government customers consolidate communications platforms, reduce their telecom expenditures and have communications access on the go.”
The satellite phone industry has had a rocky past littered with spectacular flame outs and heated court battles that resulted in significant consolidation amongst the players. However, the U.S. government has been a broad supporter of the industry following the aftermath of terrorist attacks and natural disasters that highlighted the vulnerability of traditional cellular networks.