Verizon Wireless offers mobile satellite phone service.

Globalstar USA is the state-of-the-art service provider for mobile satellite communications services in the United States and will operate the Globalstar Network in North America. Verizon Wireless will function as an agent of Globalstar USA with the marketing.

and distribution of this new and exciting service.

Globalstar USA satellite service will provide coverage for those customers who need to be in constant touch in areas where wireless coverage is unreliable or non-existent. Targeted customer segments include utilities, natural resources, mining, maritime, government and transportation -- industries where the remote nature of the work demands satellite communication service.

Satellite service will not replace cellular; it is a complement to cellular, allowing communications in remote areas that are not covered by cellular service.

Globalstar satellite service is provided by 48 satellites communicating with the ground-base gateway Verizon will operate. Verizon will initially offer a Globalstar phone manufactured by Qualcomm, which will retail for about $1,200.

This is a tri-mode phone (analog, digital and satellite) so it will be able to access both Globalstar satellite service as well as traditional cellular service.

When a customer "powers up" the phone, it will search for a digital cellular signal. If digital is not available, it will search for an analog cellular signal. If neither of these options exists, the phone will instruct the customer to "rotate the antenna for Globalstar service" and will acquire a Globalstar satellite signal.

We feel Globalstar satellite service has a bright future in Verizon.