AT&T has begun marketing a new Satellite Augmented Mobile Service featuring the TerreStar GENUS dual-mode cellular/satellite smartphone. 
The dual-mode device uses AT&T’s cellular wireless network as the primary default mode and Terrestar’s satellite network as a secondary option for voice, data and messaging. The TerreStar satellite network ensures coverage in remote areas for government, energy, utility, transportation and maritime users, as well as backup satellite communications capabilities for public safety agencies, first responders and disaster recovery groups. The satellite footprint covers the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and territorial waters.
The service requires standard AT&T cellular voice and smartphone data rate plans, as well as a monthly satellite subscription feature. Usage of the satellite network for voice, data and messaging is not included in the monthly feature charge and is billed as per-minute, per-message or per-megabyte roaming charges on a customer’s AT&T Mobility service invoice.
The TerreStar GENUS runs on the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system to provide rich features and functionality, including a touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera and GPS.
“With advancements in satellite technology, satellite-based communications is poised to be the next standard in everyday mobile devices,” said Jeffrey Epstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of TerreStar. “We are pleased to work with AT&T to bring powerful integrated satellite-cellular solutions to market, providing customers with critical communication capabilities and a great mobile experience.”http://www.att.com
http://www.terrestar.com
- TerreStar’s dual-mode smartphone was developed by EB (Elektrobit). The device features quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA capabilities. In addition to seamless satellite/terrestrial voice handovers, the smartphone is capable of SMS, MMS, IM, Email, Push to Talk and Location Based Services (LBS). Notably, TerreStar will use an all-IP core network, with services based on IMS.
- The Terrestar-1 satellite, which was launched in July 2009, is the largest and most powerful commercial satellite to date. The hybrid satellite/terrestrial architecture ensures mobile coverage in rural areas across North America or in cases where the conventional terrestrial services become unavailable.
- The satellite, which weighs a record 6,910 kg and was built at Space Systems/Loral’s Palo Alto, California facility, operates 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. The satellite uniquely features an 18-meter deployable reflector and an S-band feed array with 500 spot beams.