We thought it was important for you to know how our telecommunications equipment performs in real life situations.
MSV Performance During Hurricane Katrina (PDF)
Martin Whiteley,
Team Director, Global Racing Mountain Bike Team
"Having riders from 6 continents, and 8 different nationalities, on our team means that keeping in contact between races can be a veritable logistical exercise. The Globalstar satellite phones became a critical link between the team staff and the riders on relaying important information around the world concerning the team's schedule and their training."
"During the races the phones were invaluable as we often race in remote ski mountains where mobile phone coverage can be weak at best. With our Globalstar satellite phones we could always carry out logistics for the team, as well as keep the world's press up to date with what we were doing. Riders would also call their families back home, straight from the finish line, knowing that they would always get through and give them the latest news. There is no question that using satellite phones gave us a huge advantage over other teams when trying to stay in contact with the outside world when racing in remote venues."
Judd Eades,
Adrenalin Sports/AmazingOutdoors.com
"If you would have told me I was going to be able to make a phone call from the top of Mount Aconcagua (Argentina) when I sometimes can't get a clear signal on my cell phone in the city, I'd have thought you were crazy - that is until I really did, thanks to a Globalstar Satellite Phone. My signal was clearer from the top of a mountain in a third world country than my personal cell phone is when I'm calling from my car to tell my wife I'm on my way home. I recently lead an expedition to Mount Aconcagua (The Highest Mountain in the Western Hemisphere at 22,841 feet). Among the thousands of pounds of gear we brought with us to help with our success was a Globalstar Satellite Phone. We needed the phone in order to provide live updates on our progress to amazingoutdoors.com, as well as host an outdoor radio show on KSL Newsradio1160. I was amazed it worked flawlessly; I assumed I'd have some delay transmitting from South America but there was none. It worked better than the landlines we used when we were off the mountain. We had one climber get severally sick on the climb, and the phone enabled us contact his family directly. It helped ease the stress during this emergency situation. I will never venture outdoors without my Globalstar Phone; it proved priceless on our excursion."
Larry Rosenfeld
Navigator, www.TeamAdventure.org
"Team Adventure set out to break the record across the Atlantic. The record broke us this time but we will be back. Meanwhile as we sail back to a safe harbor in Nova Scotia, our Globalstar phones have been invaluable. I have been able to call all the people we need in Europe, Canada, and the US. We have coordinated standby rescue from the Canadian Coast Guard, temporary repairs at a shipyard in Nova Scotia, redirected our air shipment to France for the finish, sent bulletins out to ABCNews who has been covering the attempt with two cameramen on board, sent pictures for the many websites who are covering the attempt and been able to call our families to tell them we are OK. The ability to manage out going calls, critical incoming calls and data has been superb. The Globalstar connects faster than any modem and works transparently on the computer. We have the Marine fixed unit hooked up to a home office cordless system so we can work all over the boat inside and still be able to talk to people as we are describing situations or troubleshooting down below. Joe, thanks for your continued support. We are proud to be associated with you."
Mike Geissinger
s/v North Star
"Some of my friends in Washington, DC covered the Gulf War in 1992 using the then latest satellite phone and this is a quantum leap forward from what they used. It becomes painfully obvious quickly how much of a boon to cruisers this can be. Several days ago a fairlead block broke. Jim was able to call Garhauer and order another. He had it sent to his house where his wife will bring it to the Azores when she comes later this month. He could have as easily had it shipped to a chandlery at Horta as well. The coverage across the Atlantic has been spotless. Data has been moving at 7600 baud and voice is as clear as any cell phone. I've attached a photo to show the way they come through."
Howard Schneider,
Support Services Supervisor, Hazardous Materials Response Unit of New York City's Department of Environmental Protection
"When both our cellular service and hardwire switchboards went down, our Globalstar phones became our last line of defense, and allowed our offices in both Manhattan and Queens to maintain active communications."
John Flanagan,
Fire Operations Specialist, Protection Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Forests
"When it comes to working in the outdoors, you simply can't put employees in a dangerous area without a reliable mode of communication," says Mr. Flanagan. "Our existing VHF radio system is reliable, however, there are areas where there is no coverage. Globalstar handsets have filled in the 'blind spots' and eliminated the cost of building new VHF repeater towers, and the satellite service is more user friendly and reliable."
Dan Delane
Chairman, Accident Investigations Committee, FedEx Pilot's Association
"As a pilot for FedEx and a union crash investigator, I am all over the world and need to be in constant communication. I use the Globalstar satellite phone at crash sites and the phone allows me to talk, no matter where I am, with no delay and the sound couldn't be clearer. But I think the most important aspect of this phone is that it has saved valuable time in critical situations. For example, when a plane in Seattle was found to have smoke in the cockpit, the pilots were able to call me in Paris and I was able to immediately dispatch help. We were in constant and clear communication until the dangerous situation was resolved. Other forms of communication depend on uncontrolled variables. Radio is weather dependent and cell phones depend on near-by antennas, but Globalstar never fails. And the cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the potential costs of injury or lost lives that threaten people with no means of communication."
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