Globalstar Launches Automotive Team to Bring Enhanced Global Connectivity to the Next Generation of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Globalstar, Inc. announced that the Company has launched Globalstar Automotive, a newly formed division to support future connected and autonomous vehicles and intelligent transport. With more than 600 million connected vehicles expected to be on the road by 2025 and with the market for automotive connectivity projected to increase to $103 billion by 2030, Globalstar seeks to leverage its two-way global and broadcast capable network to assist automakers to comply with the latest safety regulations, deliver over-the-air (OTA) software updates, increase location accuracy and improve reliability for autonomous vehicle operation.

Greg Ewert has joined the Company and brings 30 years of senior executive leadership experience across a wide range of technologies in the telecommunications field. Reporting to Dave Kagan, President and COO at Globalstar, Ewert will lead the Company’s automotive initiatives. Additionally, Ewert serves on the Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA) board.

“There is one non-negotiable, critical requirement for all connected or autonomous vehicles – connectivity,” said Ewert. “We are taking Globalstar’s networks and providing connectivity solutions for the automotive community that not only complement existing terrestrial options but when combined offers a more reliable, cost-efficient communications pipe to vehicles independent of where they might be in the world.”

To date, embedded connectivity within connected cars has primarily been used for in-vehicle infotainment, Wi-Fi and safety services. Some progressive automakers have begun delivering OTA software updates using cellular and Wi-Fi and are now looking to satellite to help address the growing demand to cost efficiently deliver updates. As the connected car market matures and autonomous vehicles proliferate, the requirement for connectivity that is always available, invulnerable to the elements and capable of establishing a two-way channel with the vehicle for delivery of software and firmware critical to the vehicle’s operations is of paramount importance.

“The connected car will fundamentally transform the automobile and transportation industries. Thermo has taken advantage of similar paradigm shifts in industries in the past and plans for investments in Globalstar, FiberLight, Pivotal Commware and TrafficCast to all play their respective roles in the car of the future,” said Jay Monroe, CEO of Globalstar and founder of the Thermo Companies.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for us to leverage our existing network assets and partner ecosystem to fill connectivity gaps and allow automotive manufacturers, suppliers and partners to extract maximum value from their investments in connected and autonomous vehicles,” Ewert continued.