Vodacom subscribers will in future be able to enjoy blanket mobile satellite telephone coverage of South Africa and the world following the launch by Globalstar of another four low-earth-oribiting satellites, Vodacom said Friday.
Mobile satellite operator Globalstar now has 36 satellites in orbit, having recently completed the minimum space segment configuration required for commercial service roll-out starting in October.
"The space and ground segment deployment is progressing, testing of the ystem is continuing, and marketing strategies are in place for service introduction." said Ben Higson, Project Director of Globalstar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, with which Vodacom has an agreement.
Twelve additional satellites will be launched during the remainder of the year, increasing system capacity and coverage, and forming Globalstar`s final 48-satellite constellation with four spares.
Joan Joffe, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs at Vodacom, said Globalstar would meet the needs of cellular users who roamed outside terrestrial-based cellular coverage and will connect calls to the existing terrestrial telecoms network.
"South African subscribers will be able to use dual-mode phones capable of switching from conventional cellular telephony to satellite telephony automatically or as required.
"Although costs still have to be finalised, it is expected that Globalstar tariffs will be significantly cheaper than the satellite tariffs currently available," Joffe said. [From E-data]
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