TerreStar Launches World’s Largest Comms Satellite

Mobile communications provider TerreStar Networks has successfully launched TerreStar-1, the world’s largest, most advanced commercial communications satellite. The company says today’s launch is a major achievement in its strategic vision of delivering voice, data and video services on an all-IP, next-generation mobile broadband network that combines the power of TerreStar-1, an all-IP core network, and the latest in smartphone technology.

Launched by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana today, TerreStar-1 is the foundation for TerreStar’s satellite communications network; ensuring network resiliency and availability during times of critical communications need, according to the company.

Prior to the launch, TerreStar, with its partner EB (Elektrobit), introduced the world's first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA smartphone with integrated all-IP, satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities. Similar in size to today’s mainstream mobile devices, TerreStar’s dual-mode smartphone will allow users to seamlessly and securely stay connected to TerreStar’s satellite and terrestrial network.

TerreStar's network will operate in two 10-Mhz blocks of contiguous MSS spectrum in the 2 GHz band throughout the United States and Canada – with a spectrum footprint that covers a population of nearly 330 million.

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