AT&T today introduced the TerreStar Genus, a relatively thin $799 cellular smartphone that can use a satellite network for backup voice and data communications. The Genus gives a glimpse at future satellite phones: too expensive for consumers and a step behind the latest and greatest devices. Read More »
Tech
Harbinger Capital Partner’s bold plan to build out an open 4G wireless network has more moving parts than the latest OK Go video, and would require a minimum of $6 billion to build. I’m skeptical that a competitive LTE network will come out of the plan. Read More »
A New York private equity firm plans to build a multibillion-dollar wholesale 4G wireless network using the Long Term Evolution standard that will cover most of the country by 2015. The ambitious plans by Harbinger Capital partners relies on spectrum owned by several satellite companies. Read More »
The FCC has had conversations with Qualcomm and Skyterra in the last few weeks about an effort to use a combination of satellites and a terrestrial network known as ATC (Ancillary Terrestrial Component), which could make 100 MHz of spectrum available for mobile broadband. Given… Read More »
AT&T today confirmed that it will sell the first dual-mode cellular and satellite smartphone that will offer satellite connectivity from TerreStar’s network when in remote areas. The Genus phone will be out in the first quarter of next year for business and government clients,… Read More »
Globalstar today closed on $738 million in financing, while rival satellite operator TerreStar launched its new bird, TerreStar-1. Globalstar plans to use its money to fund operations and launch a new generation of satellites in 2010 that will deliver all IP-based voice and data… Read More »
TerreStar expects to launch a satellite that costs some $500 million at the end of June, and with it, hopes to reinvent the failed satellite service model from the 90s. Even though TerreStar’s service will launch at the end of this year with normal-sized… Read More »
Qualcomm said today that it will build a chipset to offer combined cellular and satellite radios in one handset. It hopes to offer them in 2010. This is a boost for the struggling satellite companies and offers up the potential for a small phone… Read More »
Elektrobit is showing off its reference design for a multimode 3G and satellite handset phone at the CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment show this week in San Francisco, and it’s a far cry from the clunky satellite phones of yore. It first unveiled… Read More »
Harbinger Capital today offered satellite service provider MSV/Skyterra $500 million to pay for the company’s launch of its two new satellites. The private equity firm also made clear it’s planning to push for a deal to acquire British satellite company Inmarsat. The acquisition attempt… Read More »
Last Friday, four executives of satellite holding company TerreStar Networks suddenly resigned, leaving just three people behind to fill the void. I don’t expect this lack of management to last for too long, but until TerreStar calls me back with details, I’m betting that… Read More »
Monday’s decision by the Justice Department to allow XM and Sirius to merge, combined with incumbents such as Verizon and AT&T winning much of the spectrum on offer in the 700 MHz auction, means we’re likely see M&A among the major satellite players in… Read More »
