TerreStar Debuts its GENUS Satellite+Terrestrial Smartphone

TerreStar Networks released its “GENUS” integrated cellular-satellite smartphone. The handheld device connects to the AT&T cellular network for primary ground-based wireless connectivity, and gains satellite access connectivity through the power of TerreStar-1, the world’s largest commercial communications satellite, which acts as a cell tower in the sky. It features a sleek design, internal antenna and the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system. Users with a line of sight to the southern sky can gain access to expanded voice and data roaming coverage in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and in territorial waters. Multimedia features include Windows Mobile Media Player; 2.0-megapixel camera; camcorder format (H.263 simple profile); video and audio playback features and digital voice recording.

“The GENUS smartphone is ideal for adventure-seekers, skiers, boaters, hikers and anyone who lives on the edge, but still wants to stay connected,” said Jeffrey W. Epstein, president and chief executive officer, TerreStar. “The GENUS provides the ultimate wireless backup capability; helping ensure users are prepared and have access to mobile communications in case of an emergency, disaster, or even an unforeseen weather condition, despite location or cellular network signal strength.”http://www.terrestar.com/consumer

• 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.