Globalstar seeks local partner<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Globalstar, an alliance of worldwide
\ntelecommunications and aerospace firms, is looking for a
\nstrategic partner in Indonesia to set up a join venture to expand
\nits global satellite system.<\/p>\n
Globalstar's spokesman, David C. Benton, said yesterday that
\nthe consortium comprises leading firms including France Telecom
\nand Alcatel of France, Deutsche Aerospace, Dacom and Hyundai of
\nKorea, AirTouch Communications and Qualcomm of the United States.<\/p>\n
\"Our project is a low-earth-orbiting satellite-based digital
\ntelecommunications system which will offer wireless telephone and
\nother telecommunications services worldwide,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also said that Globalstar, which will use 48 satellites,
\nexpects to begin launching its first four satellites in the
\nmiddle of 1997 and to commence initial commercial operation via a
\n24-satellite constellation in 1998.<\/p>\n
\"Full coverage date is expected to occur in the first half of
\n1999. Globalstar expects to require capital of approximately
\nUS$1.9 billion from inception through the full coverage date and
\nto begin generating positive cash flow in 1999,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Benton said that Globalstar's system allows users to make or
\nreceive calls using hand-held or vehicle-mounted terminals
\nsimilar to today's cellular phones, through fixed telephones
\nsimilar either to phone booths or ordinary wire-line telephones
\nand through data terminals and telecopiers.<\/p>\n
Each subscriber terminal will communicate through a satellite
\nto a local Globalstar service provider's interconnection point
\n(gateway) which will connect into existing telecommunications
\nnetworks, he said.<\/p>\n
\"AirTouch Communications is now looking for a strategic
\npartner or partners to establish a join venture which will
\noperate about three gateways in Indonesia,\" Benton said, adding
\nthat each gateway will cost between $2.5 million and $5 million.<\/p>\n
\"We are confident that we can enter Indonesia
\ntelecommunications market. Besides, this business is very
\nlucrative,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The country's telecommunications industry has been growing
\nrapidly in the least few years. In the coming years, Indonesia
\nwill also adopt a couple of satellite-network digital
\ntelecommunications systems, including the Asian Mobile Satellite
\nsystem which is developed by the Asia Cellular Satellite System,
\nowned by Pasific Satelit Nusantara of Indonesia, Philippines Long
\nDistance Telephone Co. of the Philippines and Adisai Bodharamik
\nfrom Jasmine International Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand.(icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/globalstar-seeks-local-partner-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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