Gmpcs Personal Communications News

Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway purchased GMPCS Personal communications, Inc., based in Pompano Beach, Florida. Founded in 1996, GMPCS Personal Communications is a full service provider of global mobile personal communications via satellite. The company is a supplier of equipment, accessories, and value-added solutions and serves many Fortune 500 and Global 1000 corporations. The company realized revenues in excess of $23 million in 2003, a growth of more than 60 percent over 2002 figures.

GMPCS Personal Communications placed an initial order with Hughes Network Systems for 1,000 HNS 9201 broadband satellite IP terminals for use with Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) mobile satellite service. The deal with Hughes makes GMPCS the first satellite communications service provider to place an order for the terminals that will usher in the new global broadband service anticipated to begin in late 2005. The capabilities of BGAN will include the delivery of Internet and intranet content and solutions, LAN and WAN connectivity, video on demand, videoconferencing, fax, e-mail, phone and local area network access at speeds of up to 492 kbps.