Having finally gotten back on track financially, ICO Global Communications hit another stumbling block last weekend when the launch of its first satellite placed the payload in the Pacific Ocean, rather than in low earth orbit as intended.The launch took place March 12 aboard...
LightbridgeJoseph Tibbetts Jr. resigned from Lightbridge Inc. as the company's chief financial officer in order to pursue an opportunity in venture capital.U.S. Wireless DataCharles Leone accepted the posts of chief financial officer and chief operating officer for U.S. Wireless Data Inc. Leone will be...
After spending 10 years and $5.8 billion building and launching a constellation of 66 low-earth-orbit satellites to provide mobile voice and paging services worldwide, Iridium L.L.C. is facing a new countdown-toward extinction.If the company doesn't find someone to replace Craig McCaw as its financial...
As a journalist I have never had occasion to write a business plan, but I am guessing that one of the first questions for those who do write business plans is, who needs it?Iridium can serve as a strong example for the new crowd...
NEW ORLEANS-Qualcomm Inc. unveiled two products designed for the Globalstar satellite system at CTIA's Wireless 2000 show.The first is the GSP-1620 Satellite Packet Data Modem designed to deliver digital data communications for urban and remote areas using Qualcomm's Code Division Multiple Access technology along...
DENVER, United States-Globalstar USA became the latest Globalstar L.P. partner to launch full commercial service, completing the company's North American coverage for its mobile satellite phone service, perhaps Globalstar's most important service region.Globalstar USA launched at the same time as Globalstar Canada, while Globalstar...
NEW YORK-Though not for those impatient or faint of heart, satellite-sector investing has reaped handsome rewards overall in recent years and promises better days ahead."Last year's stumblers have addressed their issues and are coming on strong," Thomas W. Watts, first vice president of Merrill...
Globalstar L.P.'s worldwide service rollout took another step last week, bolstering its presence in Mexico where Globalstar de Mexico and Mexican cellular operator Iusacell formed a marketing agreement.According to the deal, Iusacell, Mexico's second-largest carrier, will sell Globalstar satellite phone services to its customers-on...
NEW YORK-Extraterrestrial wireless received good news when Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. sold a $245 million secondary stock offering Jan. 26.In preparation for Globalstar Telecommunications' secondary offering last week, Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer, took an unusual step the prior weekend to test...
CANNES, France-France Telecom unveiled new features for its Itineris Global System for Mobile communications system at the GSM World Forum in Cannes.The company announced it will propose roaming coverage for its Itineris GSM cellular customers via the Globalstar satellite system.The company said Itineris customers...
MEXICO CITY-Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. announced its subsidiary, Globalstar de Mexico, began offering the satellite phone service on a limited basis to users in Mexico.Initially, service will be sold through telephone orders. A full dealer network will be announced later this month, followed by full...
It seems the dark cloud that settled over the mobile satellite services industry when Iridium L.L.C. and ICO Global Communications went bankrupt last August has begun to lift, reflected by a stock rally from Globalstar L.P. indicating renewed investor confidence.Globalstar USA, Globalstar L.P.'s exclusive...
Arch Communications Group Inc. said it will offer weather updates to paging customers through a strategic marketing relationship with The Weather Channel's weather.com Internet site. The weather.com site offers a Wireless Weather service to customers using a text-enabled messaging device. The agreement is its...
MEXICO CITY-Globalstar de Mexico S.A. de C.V. announced the Mexican Ministry for Communications and Transportation granted it a commercial license to offer satellite telephone service throughout the country, including those rural areas currently unserved by cellular or other telephone services, and to frequent travelers.Lauro...
GENEVA-Globalstar officially announced at Telecom '99 a phased launch of its mobile satellite service. The phased launch begins with user trials, followed by a soft launch that will allow the company to work out quality issues. Commercial service should begin in early 2000, Globalstar...
Low-earth-orbit satellite voice provider Globalstar L.P. has reduced the number of handsets expected to be available at the end of the year from 70,000, as announced in September, to between 35,000 and 50,000.Globalstar spokesman Mac Jeffery said the lower figures do not represent manufacturing...
Bankrupt mobile satellite service provider ICO Global Communications said it has received letters of intent for the first in an expected three-stage debtor-in-possession financing package that, when complete, would total $1.2 billion.The company said the letters of intent cover the first $225 million installment...
CARROLLTON, Texas-CellStar Corp. and Telecommunications par Satellite Mobiles SAS signed an agreement under which CellStar will distribute Globalstar terminals in most of TE.S.A.M.'s South American territories, said the companies.CellStar also said it will provide valued-added services such as acquisition, procurement, programming, fulfillment, packaging and...
GENEVA-Globalstar officially announced at Telecom '99 a phased launch of its mobile satellite service. The phased launch begins with user trials, followed by a soft launch that will allow the company to work out quality issues. Commercial service should begin in early 2000.User trials...
DUBLIN, Ireland-There has been much debate over the future of satellite-based communications. Indeed, regular readers of the financial press might wonder if it has any future in the new millennium as they follow stories of operational difficulties, disappointing subscriber figures and financial restructuring and...
NEW ORLEANS-Qualcomm Inc. said its tri-mode Code Division Multiple Access satellite handsets for use with the Globalstar system are available. The tri-mode portable phone operates with the Globalstar system as well as on CDMA and analog wireless networks.
After months of denying any plans to sell its wireless handset division, Qualcomm Inc. is publicly relenting to the pressures of severe competition from Asia and the likes of Nokia Mobile Phones and Motorola Inc."With increased competition, parts shortages and industry consolidation reducing margins...
CARROLLTON, Texas-CellStar Corp. announced it has agreed to distribute Globalstar handsets, fixed terminals and other accessories in Canada, through an agreement with Globalstar Canada Satellite Co.CellStar also has distribution agreements with Globalstar for the United States and Central America, and is pursuing further distribution...
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-Iridium L.L.C.'s recent financial restructuring and voluntary bankruptcy filing are not expected to have a financial impact on Iridium Africa, said Iridium Africa's chief operating officer, Thomas Alabakis. Iridium Africa is an independent company wholly owned by the Mawarid Group and is...
