The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Globalstar nationwide authority to operate its third-generation C-3 Mobile Satellite Service system. The authorization clears a key step toward providing direct-to-device connectivity to smartphones and other mobile terminals across the United States.
The approval also allows Globalstar’s ground stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico to communicate with the new satellite constellation.
The C-3 system will comprise 48 low Earth orbit satellites and six in-orbit spares. Globalstar expects to begin launching the satellites, manufactured by MDA Space, starting next year.