Globalstar is an innovative, and affordable
satellite-based telephone service that allows Canadians to have the
power to communicate from areas beyond cellular and landline infrastructure. The Globalstar system
provides affordable mobile satellite services, including basic voice
telephony and 9.6KBps data communications. Globalstar also offers an
array of enhanced telecommunications services, such as remote
monitoring applications, pre-paid phone cards and text messaging.
When was Globalstar made available in North America?
Globalstar has been rolling out its services on a progressive basis
since the fall of 1999. Globalstar introduced its Canadian commercial
services in three phases: "Friendly Users" trials began in October
1999, introductory service to a preliminary number of customers was
available in November 1999, and full commercial service was introduced
across North America in February, 2000.
Why is Globalstar the best satellite service in Canada?
Globalstar's innovative, yet proven technology, delivers stronger voice clarity and lower costs than the
competition:
- Affordable satellite communications - Globalstar offers the
best-in-class satellite call rates in Canada…as low as $0.16 per minute
on the Latitude 4,000 and Enterprise 48,000 price plans. Click here for airtime pricing.
Handsets have an MSRP of $849. Click here for complete product pricing.
- More user
friendly - Globalstar's GSP-1700 handset is one of the smallest and lightest
handsets on the market making it easy to carry with you wherever you
go.
- Better quality - Globalstar uses CDMA technology,
resulting in superior voice quality and security with less potential
for signal blockage from buildings, terrain or other natural features.
Globalstar's constellation of satellites is Low Earth Orbiting (LEO'S),
offering voice transmissions with an imperceptible voice delay. This
allows for natural communications without awkward pauses or silences.
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Who has subscribed to Globalstar services?
It is estimated that 50 per cent of the world has little or no phone
service. The advent of affordable satellite telephony and other
wireless services will change this, since it eliminates the need for
costly landline or wireless network infrastructures.
Across Canada, business, government, and even the general public need
the ability to communicate wherever they are located or travelling.
With many regions not having existing landline or cellular coverage
there is a distinct need for Globalstar with its high
quality voice and data services. These users are from a variety of
industries:
- Companies in the natural resources business, specifically oil and gas, mining and forestry enterprises
- Maritime industry, fishing boats, and recreational boaters
- Transportation, such as railways and trucking
- Cellular users who are looking to extend the range of their existing service
- Various federal and provincial government agencies
- Leisure businesses in remote areas and recreational enthusiasts who fish, hunt, snowmobile etc.
- Recreational vehicles, cruise ships etc.
- Global business travelers who travel to destinations where local telephone service is unreliable or expensive
For industry applications click here.
Also, in rural or underserved areas where landline phone service
doesn't exist or is of poor quality, Globalstar can provide voice and
data service through it's fixed user terminals.
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How do I find a Globalstar Authorized Dealer?
Globalstar has dealers located across the country. Click here to find your nearest dealer or call 1-877 728 7466.
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Does Globalstar rent phones?
Many of our authorized Globalstar dealers rent phones. Click here to find your nearest dealer
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How much do Globalstar Phones and Services cost?
Phones
Globalstar's first mobile unit, the GSP-1600, has an MSRP of $849, by far the
most competitively priced satellite phone in the market. The GSP-1700 retails for $995. The GSP-2900 fixed
satellite phone has an SRP of $2,495 which includes data service as well as voice
capabilities. Click here for a link to the Globalstar products page to view more features and benefits of Globalstar phones.
Airtime Rates
Globalstar offers the best-in-class satellite call rates in Canada.
North American calls from anywhere in Canada can start as low as $0.16
per minute on the Latitude 4,000 and Enterprise 48,000 price plans. Other price plans are
available. For long distance rates while calling from Canada, visit the
long distance rate calculator
for specific country rates. For international roaming rates while
travelling with your Globalstar phone click here. For Canadian Latitude and Enterprise customers, roaming in the United States and the Caribbean is included in monthly or annual bundled minutes.
Globalstar Canada offers service that is effectively
priced for the user, while offering convenience, unmatched voice service
quality and leading edge applications and features.
Data Rates
Please consult our Data Communications section for information regarding rates and coverage for data products.
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What international coverage does Globalstar offer?
Globalstar offers voice roaming in over 120 countries serving 90% of
the world's population. For specific country coverage, please visit our
coverage map or call our Customer Care Centre at 1-877-728-7466.
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How does the Globalstar handset work?
Globalstar customers make or receive calls using the hand-held phone or
with the hands free car kit. When you are within a cellular serviced
area, and the Globalstar GSP-1600 handset is set to cellular preference, the
unit will automatically default to the cellular network. In areas
outside of cellular coverage, the phones communicate via a Globalstar
satellite that bounces the signal back down to the nearest earth
station that interconnects to the local telephone system. The process
takes roughly 10 milliseconds, delivering excellent voice clarity and
no perceptible voice delay.
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Do Globalstar satellite phones work just like cell phones?
Globalstar satellite phones offer many of the same characteristics as
cellular phones, including a similar user interface and design. One of
the main differences between satellite and cell phones is that the user
must put up a larger satellite antenna in order to receive satellite
signals. Globalstar features one of the smallest and lightest handsets
in the satellite industry. Satellite phones are slightly larger in size
than cellular phones because the antenna system required to communicate
on the satellite frequencies must be larger than a cellular phone
antenna. Another fundamental difference between traditional wireless
phones and Globalstar satellite phones, is that when the phone is in
satellite mode, as with all satellite mobile handheld phones, it must
be within satellite line-of-sight in order to complete calls. Therefore
the mobile handset cannot be used indoors. However, Globalstar phones
will work indoors in cellular mode when the user is within a
cellular-serviced area.
If satellite phone services are required indoors, Globalstar offers the GSP-2900 fixed satellite phone. It can be used indoors in satellite mode as it has an external remote antenna to create line of sight with the
Globalstar Satellite Network.
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What are the differences between the FAU-200 and the GSP-2900 Fixed Satellite Phones?
The following chart outlines the differences between the FAU-200 (no longer offered) and the GSP-2900 fixed satellite phones.
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