Ericsson's satellite phone

JAKARTA (JP): Cellular phone company PT Ericsson Indonesia launched its R190 satellite phone on Monday to be used with PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN)'s Byru network, a satellite service for the GSM network.

Claimed to be the world's smallest and lightest satellite phone, the Ericsson R190 can operate in satellite and GSM-900 modes.

The company's director for consumer products, Susanto Sosilo, said that once out of cellular networks, the phone can automatically switch to satellite mode to send or receive calls.

The Byru network covers an area of 11 million square miles in the Asia Pacific region, covering 24 countries.

"There will be no more blank spots over the Asia-Pacific region," Susanto said.

During the launching ceremony, Ericsson and PSN presented the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) with three Ericsson R190s, worth between Rp 8 million to Rp 9 million (US$1,059), and Byru subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. (10)