TerreStar completes testing of satellite phone system

There used to be a time when satellite phones came attached to briefcases (much like the first cellphones, in fact). More recently, sat-phones have grown small enough to carry in a pocket, but still came with chunky waistlines and awkward antennas. TerreStar is looking to change all that with their TerreStar satellite phone service and TerreStar hybrid cellphone. Following the launch of their TS-1 satellite earlier this month, TerreStar has just completed testing a pair of slim(ish) “TerreStar Satellite/Terrestrial” smartphones in an end-to-end test call routed through the company’s TS-1 communications satellite orbiting Earth.

The successful completion of the TS-1 satellite and the TerreStar Satellite/Terrestrial brings us one step closer to realizing the dream of carrying a fully-functional satellite phone in the tightest of pants pockets. And, with the ability to work over traditional cellular networks (TerreStar is partnered with AT&T), the TerreStar sat-phone system promises to make the best use of pricey satellite minutes.

We’d like to get our hands on the 0.8-inch thick Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional smartphone – made by Elektrobit – and its 2.6-inch touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, WiFi, 3G (HSPA) and GPS receiver. Alas, we’ll have to wait for more information from TerreStar. The company plans to bring their service online by the end of the year. We’ll probably know more soon.

[Via: WindowsForDevices]