Solaris Mobile Will Use GMR-1 3G Air Interface Technology Developed by Hughes

Sept. 4, 2014

Solaris Mobile LLC, the pan-European S-band licensee for mobile satellite services with complimentary ground component, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corp., announced plans to move forward with the Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) designed and developed satellite-based platform utilizing the ETSI GMR-1 3G air interface standard to enable wireless mobile devices to communicate over the satellite portion of Solaris Mobile's network.

The GMR-1 3G industry-proven technology will enable a new generation of mobile satellite services that can operate over Solaris Mobile's space segment, supporting advanced and all-IP services providing 3G/4G compatible user services, including multi-media and voice.  

Steven Schaver, president of Solaris Mobile said, "We are pleased to utilize Hughes for the design and deployment of the satellite ground system based on the advanced capabilities of the GMR-1 3G standard. Selection of the ETSI Standard open air interface, GMR-1 3G, which is operational in about a half-million mobile satellite handhelds, allows Solaris Mobile to work with a variety of terminal manufacturers to expand its family of products and services. This is an important step in further advancing Solaris Mobile's plan to deliver the European Union's first next-generation, all IP-enabled mobile communications network with an integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial system."