Globalstar
and
Manx
Telecom
Join
Forces
to
Develop
World’s
First
Integrated
Cellular
and
Mobile
Satellite
Service
April 18, 2016
Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., and Manx Telecom, an AIM listed company and the Isle of Man’s leading communication solutions provider, announced an alliance to develop EMN, a new multiple technology communications system that aims to be the world’s first communications service to switch between multiple cellular networks and a DtU (Direct-to-User) mobile satellite network.
Using
Globalstar’s
Low-Earth
Orbit
satellite
constellation,
EMN
is
intending
to
be a
BYOD
(Bring
Your
Own
Device)
solution
that
will
enable
users
to
communicate
as
normal
with
their
existing
devices,
such
as
smartphones
or
tablets,
but
with
ubiquitous
nationwide
coverage
via
satellite
operations.
With EMN, which uses Manx Telecom’s Smart SIM technology, when a user’s signal level begins to weaken due to the limited reach of the carrier’s coverage or disappears due to a natural or man-made disaster, connectivity will be automatically handed over to another mobile network that is in range. If a terrestrial network is not available, network connectivity will be transferred onto Globalstar’s system.
One of the first services to be developed by the new alliance, and supported by specialist technical consultancy firm, Intelcomm, is FRAN. FRAN will enable all first responders, to continue making and receiving calls in the event that cellular networks become unavailable. This will be especially vital in a fast developing emergency situation when users suddenly have their communication cut off due to network overload, pre-emption or land-based infrastructure damage.
First responders need truly ubiquitous and affordable mobile communications. Previous attempts have included using satellites as ‘backhaul’ to deliver signals to terrestrial masts. However, unlike EMN’s DtU approach which connects users directly via satellite, a backhaul solution is still dependent on the reach and integrity of terrestrial infrastructure – something that cannot be guaranteed, as became apparent during 2015 when severe weather in the UK damaged terrestrial infrastructure, impairing emergency services’ ability to operate.
Using
the
satellite
network
directly,
the
EMN
solution
does
not
require
the
backhaul
solution.
The
satellites
orbit
at
just
1,400
km
above
the
Earth,
providing
much
lower
latency
than
other
satellite
networks
in
higher
orbits.
In
addition,
there
is
high
reliability
in
that
there
are
one
or
more
satellites
visible
from
any
given
point.
In
the
summer
of
2016,
Manx
Telecom
and
Globalstar
are
targeting
a
trial
service
of
FRAN
involving
parties
from
the
emergency
services
community.
“First
responders
face
an
ever
growing
array
of
operational
challenges,”
commented
Jay
Monroe,
Chairman
&
CEO
of
Globalstar.
“The
EMN
solution,
incorporating
our
reliable
satellite
network,
will
help
ensure
that
first
responders
can
continuously
communicate
and
help
them
perform
their
significant
roles
more
effectively.”
