I have an issue with the level of service presently being provided by
Globalstar in relation to satellite telephone communication.
Like many members in these forums, I have an Ericsson R290 satellite telephone, and in recent times have experienced difficulty in acquiring satellite connection and subsequent drop-out of a connection.
In November 2006
Globalstar issued a letter from Managing Director Peter Bolger, explaining the reasons for the unsatisfactory position. The letter mentions the ageing satellite system
Globalstar has, attributing this as normal occurrence and anticipating a further slow decline in performance.
As a means of improving the service, the letter says
Globalstar would deploy in March and April 2007 two new groups of 4 satellites (ie 8 satellites) to replace some of the 40 ageing satellites in the system.
It was expected that with those new satellites deployed,
Globalstar could continue to provide "good commercial satellite service" out to 2010.
The reality is completely opposite.
I have experienced numerous situations - each in different locations where the phone cannot establish communication. The most recent of these was about 3 weeks ago in an emergency situation within the
Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.
(The park is south of
Mildura between Redcliffs and
Robinvale).
Attempts to connect with the emergency
services (000) number resulted in repeated line drop out. My
Globalstar account records around 12 dropouts within a 10 minute period.
My reason for posting these comments is to alert satellite telephone subscribers to the fact that such phones do NOT provide a reliable means of communication in remote areas. The claims though the
Globalstar website and even their logo of "communication anywhere" are simply not true.
In outback trips, I carry an
HF radio. I realise there are sometimes "black spots" with the radio, but at least I have a number of frequencies to establish communication of some kind.
A satellite phone that cannot acquire connection is useless.
I am still waiting to hear from
Globalstar after this latest incident, and the Minister for Communications (Helen Coonan) too.