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Globalstar Eyes Rural Broadband Potential
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Globalstar has won permission from regulators to extend its business into wireless broadband access serving rural areas.
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission granted an order that modifies Globalstar's authority to offer Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services in the United States. The modification will permit Globalstar's spectrum to be used for wireless WiMAX services covering 500 rural communities that do not have adequate access to terrestrial-based broadband voice and data services, the company said.
Specifically, the FCC order permits Globalstar and its spectrum lessee, Open Range Communications, to commence deployment of a broadband service consistent with a $267 million loan commitment from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program. The financing is contingent on various FCC conditions and other governmental approvals.
"Those living in unserved and underserved small towns and rural communities will, for the first time, have access to services that urban and suburban residents and small businesses now take for granted," said Globalstar CEO Jay Monroe. The exec added that Globalstar's partner in the effort will initially deploy infrastructure in more than 500 rural communities, and expand that push to additional markets covering 50 million people or about 15 percent of the U.S. population within the next six years.
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Globalstar has won permission from regulators to extend its business into wireless broadband access serving rural areas.
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission granted an order that modifies Globalstar's authority to offer Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services in the United States. The modification will permit Globalstar's spectrum to be used for wireless WiMAX services covering 500 rural communities that do not have adequate access to terrestrial-based broadband voice and data services, the company said.
Specifically, the FCC order permits Globalstar and its spectrum lessee, Open Range Communications, to commence deployment of a broadband service consistent with a $267 million loan commitment from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program. The financing is contingent on various FCC conditions and other governmental approvals.
"Those living in unserved and underserved small towns and rural communities will, for the first time, have access to services that urban and suburban residents and small businesses now take for granted," said Globalstar CEO Jay Monroe. The exec added that Globalstar's partner in the effort will initially deploy infrastructure in more than 500 rural communities, and expand that push to additional markets covering 50 million people or about 15 percent of the U.S. population within the next six years.
