Globalstar, an American satellite communications company, has announced that it has received mobile satellite services (MSS) and terrestrial authorisations in South Africa, Mozambique, Gabon, and Rwanda
In these countries, Globalstar has obtained terrestrial LTE authority over its entire 16.5 MHz of S-band spectrum (2483.5-2500 MHz), most with permissible power limits suitable for both macro and small cell deployments.
Jay Monroe, Globalstar’s executive chairman of the Board, said, “Africa is a rich market for our terrestrial and satellite services, and Globalstar is committed to bringing its unique mix of solutions to the continent to meet the communications needs of the next generation of African businesses and consumers.”
“Satellite and terrestrial-based industrial IoT solutions will be critical to facilitating enhanced communications and data solutions in regions that have not previously had reliable wireless and wireline communications,” he added.
Combined with the new terrestrial authorisations, Globalstar’s satellite services enable it to offer unique communications solutions in regions with complex network deployment problems. Globalstar’s team is now pursuing multiple private LTE opportunities across these licensed markets, home to thousands of major oil and gas, mining, agricultural, industrial, and conservation operations.
Globalstar and its technology partners have already entered the first Memorandum of Understanding for a Band 53 private LTE network solution with a customer in Mozambique and look forward to providing additional information on this opportunity once definitive agreements have been executed.
In addition, Globalstar’s licensing in Rwanda and Gabon includes 5.1 and 7 GHz C-Band licenses to establish satellite gateway earth stations that would work in conjunction with existing gateways in Botswana, France and Turkey to increase and strengthen its coverage across the entire continent.
