Global communication has become very important in recent years.  People nowadays are becoming used to getting all the information they need or want right when they want it.  Advances in technology are allowing people to be communicated all the time, wherever they are.  For the frequent flyer, it would be great to have one phone and one number to be reached at all over the world .  This is where the latest technology in global communication comes in.  Satellite networks around the globe are being developed in order to allow people to be communicated all the time and with the least possible delay in response.  These satellite networks include Iridium,  Globalstar, and Teledesic among others.
 
 

        Iridium is a satellite network specializing in personal communication systems from Motorola.  Originally, it was planned that the network would consist of 77 satellites, but   it has been reduced to 66.  These satellites will be orbiting at only 420 nautical miles from the earth which should help in solving problems related to current cellular communication systems.  The diagram below shows the proposed services that will be provided by the Iridium satellite network.
 
 

       Iridium's proposed services include that of world wide telephone service through their constellations of satellites.  Recently, Iridium has bought Claircom communications network from AT&T.  It will use the network to provide in-flight calling for airlines on North American routes.   Claircom is used to provide in-flight telephone systems and
calling services for the U.S.  planes.
        Only recently has Iridium shown its true capabilities.  The war in Kosovo is making great use of its technology.  Iridium is the first global hand-held satellite phone service.  In and around war zones, there is no wired or cellular phone service.  The only way to call is by satellite.  The Red Cross is one of the groups benefiting from the Iridium service.  All the TV networks and some newspapers are also making use of this technology.  Iridium managers have sent people with these phones out to refugee camps in Macedonia, where refugees were able to make free calls.
        These examples show us how beneficial Iridium technology can be.  For the time being it shows us that it is useful in emergency situations.  In the future it will become practical for our everyday telephone service needs, even if we are in the middle of the jungle.

        For further information about Iridium take a look at the following link.
 
 

        Globalstar is another company following Iridium's footsteps toward global communication.  It is made up of 13 major telecommunication companies and has offered its services to more than 120 nations around the world.
 
 

        Globalstar is a satellite-based, wireless telecommunication system designed to provide services to users worldwide.  Users of this service will use hand-held terminals similar to a cell phone.  All calls will be transmitted through a 48 satellite constellation in a 900 mile orbit above earth to a ground station and through local terrestrial or wireless systems to the final destination.  The company plans to have 52 satellites up in space by the end of 1999.  With this service people will be able to make and receive phone calls, short messages, e-mail and other data practically anywhere in the world.
        One of Globalstar's ideas is to work with already existing regional telephone service providers.  The design of the system demands that all calls be routed and completed through existing wireless and wire line infrastructure.  The Globalstar system is designed to complement and extend existing Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) infrastructure.
        Globalstar is designed so that calls will enter the service providers existing telephone network infrastructure.  It will first attempt to connect through the existing local infrastructure and if that fails, then it will do so via the Globalstar satellite system.  The diagram below illustrates the way this system works.
 
 

Globalstar and other companies are working together in order to bring the world closer together and at everyone's reach.  For more information on Globalstar and other companies working towards global communication check out the following sites.

Teledesic is another company that is expected to start providing service in the year 2003.  To read more about this company and its proposed services go to the following link.

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