Globalstar and Jarvinian Successfully Complete Initial Testing of Terrestrial Low Power Service (TLPS) Using Ruckus Wireless Smart Wi-Fi Technology
COVINGTON, La., June 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar Inc., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services, announced the completion of Jarvinian's testing of TLPS, an innovative wireless broadband technology using new carrier-grade equipment manufactured by Ruckus Wireless, Inc. (NYSE:RKUS), a global supplier of advanced wireless systems for the rapidly expanding mobile Internet infrastructure market.
The Jarvinian tests demonstrate that deploying a managed 802.11-compliant technology over Globalstar's licensed spectrum with adjacent unlicensed ISM spectrum results in a carrier-grade service that vastly exceeds the performance of public Wi-Fi. All tests were performed over a new 22 MHz channel within the 2.4 GHz band using carrier-grade equipment manufactured by Ruckus Wireless and existing smartphones that were enabled to operate over the new channel via a remote firmware upgrade. These tests also demonstrated how quickly and efficiently TLPS can be deployed to expand the nation's wireless capacity to address the looming exhaustion of existing Wi-Fi spectrum.
All tests were conducted pursuant to experimental licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission. The Commission is considering Globalstar's November 2012 petition to use its licensed MSS spectrum terrestrially to support mobile broadband applications throughout the United States. "We appreciate the work of the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology in issuing the experimental licenses that we needed to test and prove the tremendous potential that this service holds for a mobile-driven public," said Jay Monroe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Globalstar.
"The combination of the Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi equipment and TLPS exceeded our expectations for distance and capacity while not interfering or degrading the existing traffic on traditional Wi-Fi channels," said John Dooley, Jarvinian' s Managing Partner. "Even in an indoor urban environment made difficult or otherwise unusable by spectral congestion, usable connections were established at 3-5x the distance of public Wi-Fi. More critically, very high-speed connections were maintained much more uniformly and over significantly longer distances."
"There's an insatiable demand for wireless capacity, whether in the licensed or unlicensed band," said Bart Burstein, Senior VP of Field Operations and Business Development for Ruckus Wireless. "The technical advances we have made in managing Wi-Fi signals to maximize performance enable us to support industry efforts, like those of Globalstar, to creatively help solve the wireless capacity crunch."
"With almost 600,000 mobile satellite service customers, Globalstar remains committed to its satellite business while pursuing additional opportunities to offer innovative new mobile broadband services such as TLPS. That commitment is clearly demonstrated in our completion of the launch of a new satellite constellation , our introduction to the market of new satellite-based products and services, and my personal financial commitment to turn our plans into reality," said Jay Monroe. "As I have said in the past, wireless connectivity should never be the problem rather it should be the solution to ensuring that consumers can stay connected. Whether it is emergency backup communications, remote connectivity or developing complementary solutions in urban areas, Globalstar is committed to offering solutions to consumers and enterprises that are increasing their reliance on wireless connectivity. We are very excited by the potential of adding a new class of competitive pro-consumer terrestrial services and Globalstar looks forward to performing the next phase of testing which will include a public trial of the service in an as yet unannounced geographic location."
About Globalstar, Inc.
Globalstar is a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Globalstar offers these services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.
For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com
About Jarvinian
Jarvinian is a research and investment organization, which is exclusively focused on technologies that address the wireless spectrum crisis. Founded in response to a call by the Federal Communications Commission for fundamental innovation in spectrum utilization, Jarvinian seeks to meaningfully accelerate the development of mobile capacity enabling technology. Further details on Jarvinian may be found at www.jarvinian.com.
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statements. Additional information on factors that could influence our financial results is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
CONTACT: For media information please contact: Globalstar, Inc. Brad Grantham Public Relations Account Supervisor 225.215.4483 granthamb@peteramayer.com
