Disqus
TerreStar has announced the successful launch of TerreStar-1 – the world’s largest, most advanced commercial communications satellite. Today’s launch is a major achievement in TerreStar’s strategic vision of delivering voice, data and video services on an all IP next-generation mobile broadband network that combines the power of TerreStar-1, an all-IP core network, and the latest in smartphone technology.
Launched by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana, TerreStar-1 is the foundation for TerreStar’s satellite communications network; ensuring network resiliency and availability during times of critical communications need.
“With the successful launch of TerreStar-1, we are redefining the mobile communications landscape,” said Dennis Matheson, CTO of TerreStar. “We are creating a new paradigm in mobile broadband network services and devices that will leverage our integrated satellite and terrestrial communications components to enable true ubiquity and reliability – anywhere in the United States and Canada.”
“Today’s launch is just the beginning of the TerreStar story,” said TerreStar President, Jeff Epstein. “We believe there are tremendous opportunities ahead – in both the commercial and government sectors – and we remain focused on our promise to help solve the critical communications and business continuity challenges faced by government, emergency responders, enterprises and rural communities.”
Prior to the launch of TerreStar-1, the Company, with its partner EB (Elektrobit), introduced the world’s first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA smartphone with integrated all-IP satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities. Similar in size to today’s mainstream mobile devices, TerreStar’s dual-mode smartphone will allow users to seamlessly and securely stay connected to TerreStar’s satellite and terrestrial network.
TerreStar’s network will operate in two 10-Mhz blocks of contiguous MSS spectrum in the 2 GHz band throughout the United States and Canada – with a spectrum footprint that covers a population of nearly 330 million.
To watch or download video coverage or images of the TerreStar-1 launch, or for more information about TerreStar, click here.
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
