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Satellite phone service will launch with Windows Mobile
Aug. 04, 2008

TerreStar Corporation has announced plans to launch a dual-mode satellite/terestrial phone service using Windows Mobile handsets. The service, which will rely on both TerreStar's TS-1 satellite and AT&T's cellular network, will be available to North American customers in mid-2009, according to the company.

(Click here for a larger view of TerreStar's Windows Mobile-based handset)

TerreStar touts its planned service as "North America's first next-generation integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial network." Advantages of the dual-mode approach are said to include extension of service into rural and remote areas, plus redundancy and enhanced capacity during a crisis.

Thuraya SG-2520
(Click image for further information)

Previous satellite phones have tended to be brick-like devices reminiscent of the very first mobiles. However, slimmer models appear to be emerging, starting with the Thuraya SG-2520 (right) announced last year. The TerreStar service will apparently feature the slimmest satellite phone yet, designed for the company by Finnish company Elektrobit corporation.

The handset (pictured at left), so far known only as the "EB-TerreStar reference design," is said to measure just 4.7 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches. It will connect to the satellite and terrestrial networks, offering voice calls, "4G" HSPA (high speed packet access) networking data mode, push e-mail, and other typical Windows Mobile features. Satellite service will likely be limited to basic voice and data services, and likely carry steep usage-based fees.

The device will include the following features, according to TerreStar:
  • Satellite telephony
  • Quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA cellular modes
  • Touchscreen display
  • QWERTY keyboard
  • Bluetooth
  • WiFi
  • GPS
  • 100MB of free user memory
  • Dimensions -- 4.7 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches
TerreStar announced Friday that it had finalized the terrestrial component of its service by signing a reciprocal roaming agreement with AT&T. This follows its June acquisition of 1.4GHz satellite spectrum licenses from CCTV Wireless I LLC and EchoStar Corporation, according to the company.

The TerreStar-1 (TS-1) satellite, currently under construction by Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (SS/L) in Palo Alto, is expected to be the "largest and most powerful" commercial satellite, TerreStar claims. The device will soon receive its final assembly and performance testing, the company adds.

Unfortunately, the satellite's reflector -- which was under construction at subcontractor Harris Corporation -- sustained damage during manufacturing earlier this year. As a result, according to TerreStar, the launch of the TS-1 will likely be postponed from the original fourth quarter 2008 to second quarter 2009. Phone service, for which FCC approval is currently being sought, will begin shortly thereafter, the company says.

Further information

No information was released about pricing of the TerreStar service or its Windows Mobile-based handset. More information may become available from the company's website, here.



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