Globalstar Bringing Communications To Remote Canada

According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), 100,000 Canadians have sub-standard residential telephone service, and more than 20,000 Canadians still do not have access to basic phone service – residential or cellular.

New York - Oct. 25, 2000
Globalstar Canada has sold more than 80 satellite handsets to the Kativik Regional Government in the Nunavik Region of Northern Québec in Canada, providing communities there with their first form of reliable, consistent communication service.

"We have tried other satellite and communications systems, and the Globalstar satellite service far exceeds them all," said Gordon Cobain, Head of Administration, Kativik Regional Government. "Previous communication systems provided poor voice quality and proved to be unreliable. We were so impressed with the Globalstar service that we have distributed two handsets to each of the fourteen remote communities in the Nunavik Region."

The primary function of the satellite handsets is to provide a reliable means of communication to communities that have traditionally had essentially no telephone service and frequently relied on radio communications. Each of the communities in the Nunavik Region have designated one handset to their community council and one to the local branch of the Canadian Rangers, who are responsible for the law enforcement within these communities.

Due to land distance and rugged conditions in remote regions of Canada, it is extremely costly and difficult to provide every Canadian with telecommunication service. According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), 100,000 Canadians have sub-standard residential telephone service, and more than 20,000 Canadians still do not have access to basic phone service – residential or cellular. With only 10 per cent of the country covered by cellular service, the range of cellular phones in Canada is also greatly restricted.

"Globalstar technology breaks down the barriers to communications in remote and underdeveloped regions in many parts of Canada," said Peter White, general manager of Globalstar Canada. "We have already provided Globalstar service to 10 provincial governments and numerous municipal organizations across the country. The Kativik regional government’s use of the Globalstar system aptly demonstrates the many uses and value of our technology."

The Globalstar satellite phone has already proven its value to the Nunavik region in an emergency situation. "Recently a forest fire required the evacuation of more than 200 residents from one of our communities," said Cobain. "Using the Globalstar handset, we were able to coordinate the airlift of evacuees and avert a potential tragedy."

SPACEMART

Arnav To use Globalstar For Aircraft Communications

Puyallup - Oct 11, 2000
Arnav Systems has announced an agreement with Globalstar to provide satellite-based voice and data communication for the ARNAV Aeronautical Network (AAN) which includes regional jets, smaller air transport, and private aircraft.

SPACE.WIRE