Vodafone AirTouch Satellite Services Changes Name to Globalstar USA - Company Operations

Cambridge Telcom Report, Sept 27, 1999

Vodafone AirTouch Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Vodafone AirTouch Plc., announced Wednesday its official name change to Globalstar USA in order to align the division more closely with the Globalstar worldwide brand name.

Leveraging its wireless expertise and extensive network of agents and resellers, Globalstar USA is the exclusive provider of Globalstar's Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) service in the United States.

The name change in no way will affect ownership of the subsidiary, which will continue to operate as a Vodafone AirTouch Plc. division.

"Satellite communications is the most innovative breakthrough since the introduction of cellular," said Mike Kerr, vice president and general manager of Globalstar USA. "Our alignment with a service that will make communication possible practically anywhere in the world reflects our commitment market to leadership."

Globalstar USA Service Globalstar USA has exclusive rights to sell Globalstar satellite service in the United States and is responsible for building the satellite gateways and interconnecting with the phone network, development and management of billing and customer care systems, sales, product distribution and marketing.

Globalstar USA's business strategy focuses on superior service delivery and is based on a customer-focused model of quality, simplicity and value.

Globalstar USA is making Globalstar service commercially available to customers in the United States in the first quarter of 2000.

"Globalstar selects its partners based on their unparalleled expertise and business experience in their markets," said Tony Navarra, president of Globalstar L.P. "Globalstar USA's parent company Vodafone AirTouch is a proven leader in the telecommunications industry. I can think of no better partner to roll out Globalstar service in the United States."

Globalstar USA's target audience consists of individuals needing cellular service in those areas not currently served by wireless providers. The primary focus among those needing cellular extension will be industrial vertical markets, including utilities, natural resources, mining, maritime, government and transportation.

"According to Paul Kagan and Associates, only 29 percent of the United States has access to wireless services," said Kerr. "That leaves a large, virtually untapped market for Globalstar USA to offer phone services, and later, data services."

The Globalstar Advantage The Globalstar system is a state-of-the-art mobile satellite service that extends the coverage of today's analog and digital wireless services and allows calls to be made and received virtually anywhere in the world.

Communicating via 48 satellites, the Globalstar system offers users several distinct advantages:

-- Advanced overlapping low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellite pattern which results in a much higher percentage of completed calls (up to 90 percent);

-- Use of Qualcomm's CDMA technology, which results in superior voice quality and security;

-- Full range of voice services, including voicemail, short message service (SMS) and eventually, fax, data and position location.

Globalstar, led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications, is a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, including Qualcomm Incorporated, AirTouch Communications, Alcatel, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Elsacom (a Finmeccanica company), France Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone.

For more information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.

Vodafone AirTouch Plc. is the world's largest wireless communications firm, based in the United Kingdom. It has mobile operations in 24 countries on five continents, with more than 28 million proportionate cellular customers.

Parent company Vodafone AirTouch is the service provider for Globalstar in a total of 15 countries across North America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Africa. Vodafone AirTouch has an approximate eight percent share in the Globalstar Limited Partnership. For more information, visit www.globalstarusa.com