Editor's Note: Welcome to our weekly Reality Check column. We've gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile industry to give their insights into the marketplace.Out of sight, out of mind. That sums up the state of cell phone antennas, which most...
TerreStar Networks Inc. defended its request to the Federal Communications Commission to delay its mobile satellite launch, claiming that the 10-month postponement "is in the public interest."The Reston, Va.-based firm in late May asked the FCC for permission to extend the launch of the...
Inmarsat plc may have raised the ante for mobile satellite services by launching land-based "broadband" voice and data service in the United States, close on the heels of launches in Europe and Asia. The London-based MSS provider's BGAN service, enabled by the launch of...
The departments of Defense and Homeland Security continue to be vital customers for the satellite sector. Satellite owners and operators may profit from the ramped-up need for their services, but heavy cost burdens continue to plague their business plans. However, other companies that take...
Mobile satellite service providers continue to struggle financially, but rebuilding efforts in Iraq appear to have increased minutes of use and precipitated the launch of new services.Bankrupt Globalstar L.P. said its second-quarter results were bolstered by its service launch in Iraq. The company's revenue...
PALO ALTO, Calif.-Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the satellite manufacturing subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, announced that its Optus C1 communications, which covers Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a large area from Malaysia to Hawaii, has successfully completed in-orbit tests.Australian...
NEW YORK-Bankrupt satellite communications company Loral Space & Communications has received an offer from EchoStar Communications Corp. for its six North American telecommunications satellites. EchoStar also indicated interest in acquiring the balance of Loral's Fixed Satellite Services fleet and its satellite manufacturing assets.The offer...
SAN JOSE, Calif.-Satellite phone service provider Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. reported an agreement with New Valley Corp. to provide Globalstar with $55 million in debtor-in-possession financing as the first step toward assuming majority ownership of a reorganized Globalstar company.Under terms of the purchase and reorganization...
NEW YORK—Loral Space & Communications said it will pay a $14 million civil fine without admitting guilt as part of a settlement with the Justice Department concerning the firm's involvement in a failed Chinese rocket launch in 1996.Loral, which contracted with a Chinese launch...
Mobile satellite service is an idea and a technology that today lies buried under the apprehension and disappointment of a number of major business deals gone bad. But about 10 years ago, the mobile satellite industry had an optimistic outlook on the future,...
BlackstoneBlackstone announced Elaine Moncayo has joined its marketing department as marketing coordinator. In her new position, she will be responsible for internal marketing, including newsletter, brochures, Web site updates and presentations. She will work with both Blackstone employees and distributors in Miami and across...
Heinz Corp.Heinz Corp., which provides services to wireless carriers, has promoted Rick Vogt to senior project manager. In his new position he will be responsible for Heinz's projects for Cingular Wireless. Vogt has been with Heinz for about a year, and most recently supervised...
Globalstar L.P. reported revenues for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31 of $1.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, however the company continues to see minimal growth in voice traffic and said in its annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it...
WASHINGTON-Law firm Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll P.L.L.C. filed a lawsuit against Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. and Loral Space & Communications Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of purchasers of securities of Globalstar during the period...
GroupServeGroupServe announced Tom Stroup, president, will also take on the role of chief executive officer. Stroup's first task as CEO will be to oversee the commercial product launch of GroupPort. Stroup will also oversee the company's business development, strategic alliance and product development efforts....
NEW YORK-Loral Space & Communications Ltd. reiterated in its fourth quarter and year-end 2000 financial results that it is substantially revising its plan for participation in the broadband communications market and it has modified its involvement in Globalstar L.P.The company reported a net loss...
NEW YORK-Although some satellite companies, like Globalstar L.P. and Iridium, have stumbled badly while chasing mobile telephony, provision of broadband communications remains a meaningful business opportunity for these extraterrestrial carriers, even in the United States.The inability of land-based wireline and wireless connectivity alternatives to...
LOS ANGELES-Loral Space & Communications will forgo plans to deploy a two-way broadband satellite system and instead focus on its core strengths of providing data delivery platforms for outside customers, including designing and building satellites, managing satellites and leasing transponders, said Bernard Schwartz, chairman...
Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. took a bold, albeit peculiar, step last week, announcing it is suspending indefinitely principal and interest payments on all its funded debt, including its credit facility, vendor financing agreements, senior notes, dividend payments and preferred stock.Globalstar was supposed to pay $45...
Globalstar USA, in desperate need of some debt relief, announced it launched Globalstar Data Services, which will provide 9,600 bit per-second Internet connectivity for the same per-minute rate as voice service.Customers can use a Globalstar phone like a wireless modem. The current model Globalstar...
The satellite-based telecommunications market made headlines again last week as Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. released disappointing financial results and bankrupt provider Iridium L.L.C. endorsed a $25 million buyout bid from former airline executive Dan Colussy.Globalstar's results were based on what it called "unacceptably slow" subscriber...
Mobile satellite services will shortly be available across the Middle East via the Thuraya network. United Arab Emirates-based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications has announced the launch of its Thuraya-1 satellite. The turnkey mobile satellite communications system was provided by Boeing Satellite Systems as part of...
The satellite-based telecommunications market made headlines again as Globalstar Telecommunications released disappointing financial results and bankrupt provider Iridium endorsed a US$25 million buyout bid from former airline executive Dan Colussy.Globalstar's results were based on what it called "unacceptably slow" subscriber growth and use. At...
NEW YORK-Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. said five of its founding partners are purchasing 5.2 million shares of GTL common stock for $56 million.Loral Space & Communications, Vodafone, Qualcomm Inc., Elsacom and TE.SA.M agreed to purchase the stock for $10.71 per share. Loral is purchasing $12...
