By Rajani Baburajan, TMCnet Contributor
Globalstar (News – Alert), a provider of mobile satellite voice and data services for business, consumers and government, received the requisite license transfers from the Korea Communications Commission, or “KCC,” to start service in the country.
In February, Globalstar and Arion Communication, a provider of mobile voice and data to marine customers in Korea, signed a joint venture agreement to form Globalstar Asia Pacific.
The new venture will operate the Globalstar gateway ground station in Korea and will provide both simplex and duplex mobile satellite voice and data services which include SPOT Satellite GPS messenger products and services to customers in Korea and surrounding maritime area, company officials said.
Peter Dalton, chief executive officer, Globalstar, said, “Now that the license transfer has been granted, Globalstar Asia Pacific can proceed with its plans to expand and support the market for both our Simplex and duplex mobile satellite services and SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger consumer products throughout Korea and the surrounding area.”
Globalstar will also complete the installation of satellite telemetry control unit or “TCU” upgrades at the ground station located in Yeoju, which will allow the company to globally monitor and control the orbital deployment of their new second-generation satellite constellation scheduled for launch beginning in late September or October, Dalton added.
According to Tony Park, CEO of Arion Communications, the stringent criteria of the Korean Communications Commission presented challenges in the approval process, but the company succeeded in overcoming these.
“We are extremely happy that we have achieved our goal with the support of all parties involved,” Park added. “In the very near future Globalstar Asia Pacific will begin offering Globalstar satellite services including SPOT and Simplex data throughout Korea and the Surrounding area.”
Globalstar Asia Pacific has acquired the existing satellite gateway located in the southeast of Seoul in Yeoju, from LG Telecom, which worked as Globalstar’s service provider in this region from 2001.
Globalstar will provide Globalstar Asia Pacific with the required engineering, technical training and personnel support necessary to operate the gateway. To transfer the license to Globalstar Asia Pacific, Globalstar and LG Telecom signed a business transfer agreement with KCC. LG Telecom plans to change over the operations of the gateway to Globalstar Asia Pacific within the next 90 days.
Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Kelly McGuire
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