Global system of mobile satellite communications (SPSS) enter into a new century with a cargo of defeats and victories. If in the beginning, having no real competition, even in the presence of certain shortcomings, they were uncontested by the end of the 90s success of cellular, trunking and other wireless communication systems have formed a competitive market. On the dramatic fate of one of SPSS - IRIDIUM readers can read the pages of our publication. Now is the time to elaborate on the other SPSS - Globalstar. Globalstar system is based on 48 low-orbiting spacecraft to orbit altitude 1414 km and an inclination of 52 degrees. Ideology of the Globalstar system is based on the principles of cellular organization. Communication with mobile subscribers are using CDMA-technology. Major equipment and system architecture developed by Loral Space & Communications and Qualcomm. Globalstar system uses spaced lines when the subscriber is simultaneously "sees" from 1 to 3 satellites. According to this index Globalstar differs significantly from the system Iridium - where the structure of the space segment has been optimized for single coverage areas. With regard to high-latitude regions (above 72 °) and waters the world's oceans, they are not served by the Globalstar system. Communication there is in principle possible, but the system does not ensure its continuity. Satellite System for Mobile Communications Globalstar low-Earth orbit belongs to a class of systems (satellite, located at an altitude of about 1000 km above Earth's surface). Such systems have certain advantages over satellite systems in geostationary orbit, for example, Inmarsat (at a distance of 35000 km). User terminals is substantially less in weight and size and have comparable cellular telephone networks. Radio spectrum is used efficiently due to repeated use of radio frequency bands. Signal delay in the channel is much less, because orbital height is ten times lower. About the beginning of operation the Globalstar system was officially announced on October 11, 1999 at the Geneva show-Telecom-99. Today around the world in service are 16 ground stations pairing. There is complete debugging of the software, algorithms, control and communications satellites, as well as equipment, providing a link as a space segment, and with terrestrial public networks. In Russia, this system provides services company Globalstar, which started its commercial operation on Aug. 2, 2000 unfolded part of the system covers more than 60% of the bond surface of the Earth (which will serve the system Globalstar). The latter were put into operation the station in China, Australia and Venezuela. Interestingly, in Russia, the system was first officially used at the end of March 2000 to transfer the results of presidential elections in Russia from remote areas of Chechnya! Phones QUALCOMM, and there were more than 20 pieces., Did not disappoint, and the president was elected in the most democratic way. In February 2000, completed the formation of the satellite constellation. In addition to 48 satellites in orbit four backup device. Globalstar plans to guide the company in a quarter in 2001 to put into operation all the 38 stations of conjugation of the first stage, which will provide coverage of the surface of the Earth in accordance with the project, and satellite services will be available in 120 countries. Little about the history of the project. After the failure of the carrier rocket Zenit (loss of 12 satellites in an accident rocket Zenit, manufacturer - Dnepropetrovsk NGO "South"), the company Globalstar has refused to cooperate with the Ukrainian supplier of missiles. For launching satellites, it was decided to restrict the use of American missile DELTA II, Boeing and the Russian Soyuz. Launch vehicle Soyuz while in orbit 4 communications satellite, Globalstar. Reliable alliance is beyond doubt, but wanted to create an additional module, which was supposed to solve two problems. Firstly, it was on it before the withdrawal of the main orbit of 1420 km should be placed 4 communications satellite, Globalstar. Secondly, after the completion of the third stage of this Union shall transfer module installed on it satellites orbit 240 km to an intermediate orbit of 920 km. Development of such a module, called IKAR, performed consortium Starsem. It was formed in 1996.with the participation of Russian and European manufacturers: Arianespace (15%), Aerospatial of France (35%), Russian Space Agency (25%) and the Central Bureau of Samara Space (TsSKB) "Progress" (25%). IKAR was implemented on the platform of the Russian satellite, comet, space designed for aerial photography. Instead of full-time on-board equipment on it posted design with four Globalstar satellites and control system. After separation from IKARa each of Globalstar satellites on their own moves to the main orbit of 1420 km. American experts believe IKAR and its management system more flexible and versatile than a system based on the missile launch DELTA. First start of the project UNION Globalstar preceded not only the throes of creation when creating a module IKAR. On the way scientists and engineers were again politics. The first launch since November 1998. postponed several times due to the U.S. State Department ban on the transfer of high technology. But on Jan. 26, 1999 Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan signed an agreement under which Russia and Kazakhstan pledged to protect the U.S. technological secrets to transfer to other countries. How is communication. Globalstar system is designed so that the subscriber is within range of 1 to 3 satellites. Organization to operate simultaneously in several satellites gives a gain in quality of reception and transmission and the smooth transition of the signal from satellite to satellite. Next, arrange the connections with the nearest ground station interface that provides access to terrestrial channels. If you need to talk to someone of Globalstar, a terrestrial communication channels will make a connection with a gateway station that region, which is currently called you a subscriber. And then the connection is established through one of the satellites fly over to your colleague. Time a connection is on average 5 seconds. with the probability of loss of calls in busy hours of 2%. If we compare this solution with inter-satellite communications, used in the Iridium, it is not so gracefully, but much cheaper. Onboard equipment easier, because performs only the function of relaying the signal to the nearest ground station. A comparison of Iridium and Globalstar, recalled that the first covers 100% of the earth's surface. But for communication should have been complied with several conditions. Globalstar as we have already noted, does not provide full coverage. But the advantages of this are generally more simple system, relatively low tariffs and prices for the equipment. It should be noted, and high-quality voice services provided by technology, CDMA. What services system is Globalstar? In addition to wireless telephone services - mobile and stationary, the user is available to send and receive short messages, global roaming, call the emergency services, voice mail. Additional types of services provided by Globalstar, include: call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, call barring, caller ID, CLIR, call trehnapravlenny. Data transmission (fax, E-mail and Internet) in April this year has been demonstrated in Rio de Janeiro and will be put into commercial operation by early 2001 is another trump card Globalstar, a global positioning service (GPS). Given that the U.S. government from May 1 this year lifted restrictions on the positioning accuracy, its attractiveness for a wide range of subscribers increases. But at that time in Russia, everything depends on local circumstances. Legal aspects of positioning finally worked out. Roaming. Globalstar system will provide a link with the subscribers of existing telecommunications systems in general use, and cellular systems. Signed a treaty on international roaming between all service providers Globalstar. Most operators have in their countries, the agreement with the companies - owners of public networks. To provide roaming in the networks of GSM have contracts with operators. So in the UK Globalstar signed a contract with Vodafon UK - the network operator GSM. In this case, the subscriber Vodafon UK remained the number. Global roaming in June 2000, available in North and South America, as well as in Europe. What kind of portable subscriber terminals are sold? Note that all the devices, calledmulti-mode - ie allow you to work as a system Globalstar, and in the mode of one of the cellular standards. In Europe, will be offered to commercial use predominantly terminals Ericsson (R290) and Telit (SAT 550), which allow automatic roaming with cellular networks GSM-900. In addition to the two-mode, manufactured by QUALCOMM three-mode user terminals (GSP 1600). This terminal provides the ability to work across a satellite mode, technically supports roaming in the networks of standards for AMPS and CDMA. The main parameters of the terminal European manufacturers are listed in Table 1.
Table 1
| Options / Terminals | Ericsson R290 | Telit SAT 550 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 162h62h39 | 220h65h45 |
| Weight (g) | 350 | 450 |
| Opening hours of standby time with standard battery (h), (Globalstar / GSM) | 6 / 75 | 8 / 83 |
| Opening hours of talk time with standard battery (h), (Globalstar / GSM) | 1.5 / 5 | 1.6 / 3.9 |
| Data / Fax | Yes | No |
Another important feature of portable terminals. The radiation power of the tubes corresponds to the most stringent international health standards and do not exceed the power levels adopted in the standards of the cellular networks. Who today can be considered a potential buyer of services Globalstar? This is especially the subscribers of other satellite communication systems. For them, the new system is cheaper and much easier to use. For example, the cost per minute talks with the use of a satellite in stationary orbit (the system Inmarsat) is $ 3 per weight of such equipment of about 1.5 kg, and the need to pre-deploy equipment and the antenna, respectively. Certain segment of the business are also carrying out flights in a long time. For them, a satellite phone, working on board the aircraft, will provide constant communication with business partners. No doubt about the need for satellite communications in maritime transport, the current in the coastal akvatoriyah1. An important segment of the industry will be the exploration and mining operations, both on land and at sea. In addition, based on the Globalstar system can be set up various systems of control over freight over long distances, a similar system OmniTracs. In assessing the vertical markets also define the category of mobile users who want to be sure that the connection will be given the time and everywhere, ie complete with a cheap cellular phone. Of course, fixed telephones (corporate and public phones) will be needed in areas where cellular or that another link is not available. On satellite payphones in the Globalstar also assign some hope. We can assume that they will be installed in small villages located in remote areas or even along the highways. The composition of the payphone includes an antenna (mounted on the open space), the interface block and directly pay phone, a prototype of which served as the standard pay phones on the basis of plastic cards. There are different options for feeding a payphone: network, battery or solar battery. For manufacturing payphone sets Globalstar signed an agreement with Schlumberger, which accounts for about 30% of public telephones installed throughout the world. Information for future subscribers. The collapse of Iridium will be a good lesson for marketers Globalstar. Prices for vehicles are in the range 1000 - 1500 dollars, the U.S. minute call costs 1.70 dollars in Asia and South America, less than 1.0 dollars expected leasing of equipment, various plans for prepaid. On the proposal of Motorola, Globalstar has prepared a program to support users of Iridium, which is to provide price discounts at the conclusion of the contract.Thus, all former subscribers to Iridium, which appeared without context from the termination of the system will be proposed on concessional terms to become a subscriber of the Globalstar system and continue to use the services of satellite communications. At what cost to subscribers in Russia to connect to the system and its ekspluatatsiya2? Thus, the initial connection. You will pay: telephone (eg, type TELIT SAT 550 - 1200 dollars), connected to the system ($ 180) a prepayment for traffic (for example, with international access - 216 dollars). Total: 1600 USD Monthly expenses consist of monthly subscription fees (eg, tariff "priority" - $ 48) and payment of traffic. We give some prices for 1 min.: Outgoing to the subscriber in any area of the system - 1.8 dollars, an incoming call from the system of Globalstar - 1.2 dollars for those who remember the prices of the first stage deployment of cellular services in Moscow, listed prices do not seem excessive. To assess the possible traffic, assume that the total time of the negotiations during the month was 200 minutes (for example, 120 minutes of outgoing and incoming 80 minutes). In this case, the fee negotiations will be about $ 220 So, with the subscription fee monthly expenses amount to about $ 270 Naturally, international calls, roaming and additional services will require a certain costs, but pay you for the link at any time and anywhere. Today, subscribers of the system are more than 40000 people worldwide. Of those registered in Russia, about 500 subscribers. Now, marketers are hoping to attract customers not only voice communication but also a wider range of services, focusing on different applications. Control systems and telemetry-based data transmission channel Globalstar can find the consumer. In addition, a key area of interest Globalstar announced market fixed wireless services in sparsely populated regions. " Apparently, for the successful future of this system is an extremely important factor will be the data service. It is appropriate to recall that Iridium could not really offer this service to subscribers. By itself, the rate of 9.6 kbps, planted in the development of Globalstar, by today's standards and not high. However, this rate is constant and independent of external conditions. To use e-mail and fax it enough. Some pro and contra appear when subscribers will learn how to be charged this service. In the next five years, experts estimate the global market for satellite communications in the 1 million subscribers (for Russia is 10.8 thousand). Technical requirements for SPSS can be defined quite succinctly - a single telephone number, voice quality and the ability to transfer data to a limited extent. Competition in the telecommunications industry becomes tougher. Will the Globalstar system to find loyal customers, depends on the flexibility of tariffs and services offered. Will the regional operating companies to decide not so much technical as economic challenges - and succeed where the Iridium fiasco? From coverage of large areas of fall sea areas, due to the location of the gateway station. The authors, translation: