Globalstar News

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Brent C. Bruun as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board. The Board also appointed two seasoned industry executives, David Kagan and David Tolley, as directors of KVH.Bruun first joined KVH in 2008 and has served as KVH’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2022. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of KVH beginning in 2016, as well as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) announced that Globalstar is the latest company to join SIA. Globalstar operates a low-earth-orbit (LEO) constellation of satellites and provides mobile satellite voice and data products and service packages to government, industry and consumer customers around the world. The Company’s products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, the Sat-Fi satellite hotspot, Simplex and Duplex satellite data modems, tracking devices plus its subsidiary SPOT LLC family of consumer satellite products. In September, Globalstar announced the appointments of Dave Kagan to the position of CEO and Jay Monroe to Executive Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and earlier this year the Company introduced two new products…

Growing options emerge for ever-increasing data and Comms demand. In the United States alone, 625 million tons of cargo is transported along the more than 12,000 miles of commercially navigable waterways each year, moving vital commodities to and from 38 of the nation’s 50 states. The advent of subchapter M has raised the bar significantly for as many as 5,000 inland vessels, both in terms of safety and the need to document and more closely control this tonnage. At the same time, domestic coastal transport and offshore energy support vessels also face growing communications requirements.

Communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal has announced the appointment of Rich Galasso as its new US Sales Manager. Galasso will assist with the company’s sales growth strategy in the US as demand continues to increase for Ocean Signal’s communication and safety products for the recreational and commercial markets, including 406MHz beacons, AIS man overboard devices and flares. Bringing more than 20 years’ experience in the marine industry to the role, Galasso joins…

Satellite communications and network service provider SpeedCast International Limited has announced the appointment of David Kagan to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) reporting to Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Jean Beylier. Kagan comes to SpeedCast from Globalstar, where he served as President and COO. Uniquely qualified as a result of his extensive industry experience, Kagan previously held C-level executive positions at ITC Global, Globe Wireless, Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), ICG Satellite Services and Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. Kagan is expected to start in March 2017, and joins during a key period as integration activities with Harris CapRock accelerate following the completion of the acquisition on January 1, 2017.

When it comes to fishing, Captain Dave Carraro of FV Tuna.com knows a thing or two, having run a successful charter business for the past 37 years, and is now a leading competitor and previous winner of the television show Wicked Tuna. Carraro keeps a busy schedule off land, even flying as a pilot for JetBlue when he isn’t fishing. “Sometimes we are out on the water for four to five days in a row, fishing around the clock, which can be very strenuous, both physically and mentally.

Delta Wave announced it will host an emergency preparedness mobile satellite equipment roundup on Thursday, September 4 at its office in Morgan City at 10 a.m. Delta Wave will showcase the latest in mobile satellite communications equipment such as the Iridium GO!, Inmarsat IsatHub and Globalstar Sat-Fi, and also test attendees’ phones. Lunch will be served. Industry representatives will also be at hand to answer any questions. Along with live demonstrations, We will also have at hand other types of field equipment and latest technologies that we offer which may be of interest, including thermal camera devices, wireless communications, etc. There is no cost for this seminar. All emergency responders are welcome. deltawavecomm.com

Globalstar says that its newest voice and data solution, Sat- Fi, is now available to provide seamless wireless connectivity via satellite. Customers can use their current Wi-Fi enabled  smartphones, tablets and laptops to send and receive communications when traveling beyond cellular. Customers are able to access data and voice more efficiently, saving both time and money. Through a convenient smartphone app which enables connectivity between any Wi-Fi-enabled device and the Sat-Fi satellite hot spot, subscribers can easily send and receive email and SMS text messages and make voice calls from their own device. “Although we live in a connected world, there are billions of people who work, play and live in remote locations lacking reliable and affordable voice and data communications.

Leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, Globalstar, says that its Value Added Reseller, VehSmart, of Victorville, California, has been awarded the first regional pilot project of its kind for Ecuador, which will outfit the Ecuadorian artisanal fishing fleet with life-saving satellite tracking and emergency notification devices. The project will initially outfit 4,000 small fishing boats with Globalstar's leading satellite transmitter, the SmartOne. SmartOne devices will provide Ecuadorian fishermen and women with a means for help at sea when facing a life-threatening emergency including piracy. By linking to Ecuador's National Emergency Response System…

Globalstar says its Sat-Fi instantly turns any smartphone, tablet or computer into a satellite phone or data device. With Sat-Fi, Globalstar customers can use their existing smartphones and existing phone numbers to send and receive communications over the Company's satellite network, offering seamless voice and data connectivity when beyond the range of cellular. This new technology means that people who find themselves outside of cell coverage, for whatever reason, can use their existing smartphones or computers to always stay connected.

Globalstar, Inc. announce that all second generation satellites are now in full commercial service, completing the world's most modern satellite communications mobile network. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. The company's new network supports its current lineup of voice…

Pole Star Space Applications' Marine Asset Tracker (MAT) 2.0 monitors mixed fleets of tugs, barges, rigs & other assets; helps owners manage fleet-wide operations. MAT 2.0 offers a brand new software platform with a sleek user-interface, support for Globalstar, Thuraya and IsatData Pro satellite networks, a range of new satellite tracking devices, flexible service plans and intelligent realtime reporting options. Built on Pole Star’s brand new software platform, Purplefinder Pro, MAT 2.0 delivers an enhanced user experience. The software features intuitive fullscreen Google maps and marine charts, dynamic vessel history trails, graphical weather and zone and overlays, interactive ship tiles and S-AIS data in partnership with ORBCOMM.

Pole Star Space Applications, a provider of realtime asset tracking and monitoring systems, has announced the launch of Marine Asset Tracker (MAT) 2.0, the first product released on its next generation Purplefinder Pro software platform. MAT 2.0 is targeted at owners and operators of coastal and inland workboats, tugs and barges and the offshore oil and gas market. It allows users to monitor mixed fleets of tugs, barges, rigs and other assets to manage fleet-wide operations and regulatory requirements.

Globalstar, Inc. announce that 6 second-generation Globalstar satellites were successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch services provider Arianespace confirmed that the upper stage accurately injected the six second-generation satellites into their targeted low earth orbit of approximately 920 km. Globalstar reports that all six satellites have been successfully acquired following separation from the Dispenser and Fregat Upper Stage. Globalstar expects to place these final six second-generation satellites into commercial service by this summer…

All Globalstar's launched second-generation satellites now providing commercial service. One satellite was affected by the momentum wheel issue. It was originally launched in October 2010 and removed from service in early 2011, but now all 18 of Globalstar's launched second-generation satellites are now providing commercial service. Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Inc., added, "After more than a year of development, Globalstar and Thales Alenia Space completed the software engineering, uploaded and tested the solution, and then successfully returned the affected satellite to commercial service. The solution not only permitted this satellite to return to service but also provides a fix for similar problems that may happen across our constellation.

SI-TEX Marine Electronics has announced the addition of industry veteran Rich Galasso to its team of top sales professionals. The addition of Galasso to the SI-TEX sales team will ensure strong representation for the rapidly growing company in the all-important Southern Florida market. As part of his duties with leading rep group Pilot Marine, Galasso will be responsible for both of SI-TEX’S extensive product lines serving two distinct markets. The SI-TEX brand provides the Recreational boating and light Commercial markets with a full line of sounders…

Gov. Bobby Jindal joined Globalstar Inc. CEO Peter Dalton, Globalstar Inc. Chairman Jay Monroe, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis and Greater New Orleans Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht to announce Globalstar will relocate its corporate headquarters to Covington, La., from Milpitas, Calif. Additionally, Globalstar will relocate a variety of other global business functions to Covington, including product development, finance, accounting, sales, marketing, corporate communications and customer care.

In a mutually beneficial strategic alliance, satcom provider Xantic has announced the signing of an agreement with GMPCS Communications Inc. for the delivery of various enhanced services in the United States and beyond. Under the terms of the new agreement, GMPCS will play a leading role in hosting Xantic’s Regional BGAN service in North America. GMPCS will deliver this service to companies and organisations with an international network, especially those working in the Middle East and North Africa. This move also represents a strategic step towards the future, when the BGAN service will become available. In a further development, this month will see GMPCS start delivery of its own messaging service called GMPCS Speed Mail.

Maritime communications is an estimated $1 billion industry, encompassing ship operators, merchant fleets, governments and private yacht owners. There is arguably no more quickly evolving technical sector in the maritime market than the satellite communications niche. Safety, operational efficiency and quality of life onboard vessels of all type and size today more than ever depends on clear, reliable and cost effective satellite communication services and products. The following reports on recent advances from major service, product and system suppliers. The year started with news that Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company, would roll-out its high speed satellite broadband capability for the maritime industry.

Globalstar announced that the U.S. Globalstar to continue normal course operations and, with the support of the Company's service providers, further assuring uninterrupted telecommunications service for its customers. The Court approval, which was granted on February 21, follows Globalstar's filing on February 15 of a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the same court. Globalstar will conduct business as usual with respect to customers, employees and most suppliers. This includes payment of employee salaries and benefits and payment for goods and services provided after February 15, 2002. As a result…

Three Vericor Power Systems' TF50 marine aeroderivative gas turbines have been selected to power the 118 Wallypower high-speed yacht being built by Intermarine Shipyard, Sarzana, Italy for Wally Yacht. This is Wally Yacht's first foray into high-speed power yachts, and the company's initial application of gas turbines. Wally Yacht, based in Monte Carlo, Monaco, is a world-renowned designer of high-speed sailing and power yachts. The 118-ft. yacht will feature three TF50 gas turbines in a Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) turbine configuration. Two TF50s will be used as side or "wing" engines, with one small auxiliary diesel engine connected to each wing engine. The diesels will provide for very slow maneuvering only.

Globalstar, L.P. brought its next-generation strategizing to fruition with the release of full commercial access of its mobile satellite service in the U.S. through its distributor Globalstar U.S.A. With the recent demise of Iridium, and ICO Global Communications' ongoing recovery from bankruptcy, Globalstar's entry into the market is seemingly ideal. Vessel owner/operators increasingly rely on state-of-the-art communication tools to ensure safe, efficient operations. Much as has transpired in consumer markets, the wider availability of communication technology — and subsequent drive-down of equipment and airtime pricing — fuels airtime usage.

Globalstar USA announced extended service coverage in both Alaska and the North Atlantic. As a result of agreements among Globalstar service providers in North America and Europe, calls can be made along the main shipping route between the two continents. Globalstar's expanded coverage also includes Alaska, regions of the north Pacific to the International Date Line, portions of Greenland, and all of Iceland.