TerreStar Networks has been granted authority to integrate terrestrial use of its 20 MHz S Band spectrum into its next generation mobile wireless network.
TerreStar plans to use this authority to enhance coverage, capacity and throughput in its integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network that will provide ubiquitous North American access to voice and data services through conventional wireless devices.
In granting the ATC license, the FCC reaffirmed the value that integrated MSS/ATC networks bring by "facilitating increased network capacity, more efficient use of spectrum, extension of coverage for handset operation" as well as "improved emergency communications." The FCC also granted a number of technical waivers requested by TerreStar that will permit TerreStar to integrate ATC capability more efficiently.
http://www.terrestar.com
- In September 2009, AT&T agreed to market TerreStar's satellite cellular smartphone. The TerreStar GENUS Smartphone combines AT&T's 3G terrestrial wireless service with TerreStar's all-IP satellite voice and data as a back-up throughout the United States. The TerreStar satellite footprint also covers Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and offshore coastal waters. The satellite-terrestrial smartphone reference design represents the world's first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA device running the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, and offering integrated satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities.
- In July 2009, TerreStar Networks successfully completed the first end-to-end VoIP phone call over its newly launched TerreStar-1, the world's largest, most advanced commercial communications satellite. The call used two handsets developed by EB (Elektrobit).
