[PSRSPC-WG] RE: Globalstar Satellite Phones

Thu Dec 21 07:56:33 PST 2006

Team

I have a some experience in dealing with Globalstar Satellite Phone
QUALCOMM 1600/GSP 1600.

There are hundreds of these units that are used and surplused by various
government agencies. One of the contacts is Ralph Parker with NCS -
National Communications Service, the same as the GETS - Government
Emergency Telecommunications Service @ (415) 893-0401. His units were
used at the Olympics in Utah and are Federal assets which could be
troublesome  as in the material transfer documentation.

The reason there are so many used units available is that Katrina and
other major events taught us that there are more users than system
capability. The Globalstar system build out and bandwidth capability has
a very high subscriber to channel ratio. In other words: Users that try
to place calls get no service or service busy responses due to system
overload during peak usage events. With every reporter, government aid,
want-a-be somebody important, and such using this service, there is just
not enough bandwidth on the satellite to provide service to more than
ten percent of the subscribers. 

My personal experience with using Globalstar has been one successful
call out of every four attempts. The GSP1600 is a tri-mode phone (  1
sat, 2 cell)  but it is not E -911 capable which means to activate a
cell account in California the subscriber has to get a waiver and then
deal with disconnects on a regular basis. The disconnects happen
automatically due to California law that requires all cell phones to be
E-911. The only carrier that would work with me was Verizon and we had
to have the cell phone account created with a Texas Satellite phone
number, same area code and pre-fix as satellite phone number. The
customer service on this unique account is a nightmare. When the service
is disconnected, you call in to ask why and you are told that you are
calling about a satellite # not a cell # and are transferred to kingdom
come and back again........................Hassle!

So. You will probably just activate the satellite portion and hope it
works when you need it.

In my opinion, the Globalstar is not a reliable service for first
responders. MSV is the recommended satellite vendor
http://www.msvlp.com/

That is all.

Have a happy holiday.

Jake McHatton
Communications Officer
CDF Fire Protection - Telecommunications
McClellan Aviation Management Unit
Office: (916) 561-3337
Cell: (916) 616-9810
Fax: (916) 561-3334

________________________________

From: psrspc-wg-bounces at lists.oes.ca.gov
[mailto:psrspc-wg-bounces at lists.oes.ca.gov] On Behalf Of Mary Cook
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 12:13 PM
To: PSRSPC Working Group
Cc: Pres Thomson
Subject: [PSRSPC-WG] RE: Globalstar Satellite Phones

Thank you so much for the quick responses... But due to everyone's
schedule, the Christmas Season, etc., we have opted to table scheduling
this possible presentation until January.  I did let Jerome know that we
would need to begin this process again after the New Year when we have a
better idea about availability.  Thanks again!  " )  

Mary

________________________________

From: Mary Cook 
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 2:30 PM
To: 'PSRSPC Working Group'
Cc: 'Pres Thomson'
Subject: FW: Globalstar Satellite Phones

Good afternoon TWG...  " )

At the APCO meeting last week I (with Pres Thomson) was discussing the
need of having satellite phones available during disasters... which led
to the cost of them sitting on the shelf 10-11 months out of the year
with monthly fees incurred ... and how that if often the downside with
that type of equipment deployment.  

Well, I challenged Jerome to come up with a solution that would work for
public safety entities that need to show that they are using state or
federal monies wisely.  He literally took the challenge and would like
to meet with some of PSRSPC next week...!  He is aware that we are all
in this together and would not be purchasing anything in the near term.
He has the website to do some additional research on the group as well.
Anyway, would anyone be interested in having them give a short
presentation next Wednesday around 1530?  They said it should take less
than an hour.  

Depending upon how many would want to attend, I could get a conference
room here at EMSA (9th & T in Sacramento).  If not, please share your
interest as we may want to set something up after the first of the year.
Or if you think we should defer any presentation, let me know that as
well.

Please let me know by tomorrow afternoon as their out of state rep is
setting up other meetings that day as well.  Thanks!  " )

Mary

________________________________

From: Jerome Walthour [mailto:JWalthour at daywireless.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 12:00 PM
To: Mary Cook
Subject: Globalstar Satellite Phones

Mary, 

Hello, this is Jerome Walthour I am the Authorized Globalstar
Representative that met you at the APCO Public Safety meeting last
Friday in Pleasanton.

I talked to Donnie Hatch our Distribution Manager for California who
works directly for Globalstar about our conversation and the state's
desire of having some satellite phones for Emergency Preparedness at a
minimal cost. 

And Donnie who is based out of the state will actually be in town next
week and would like to meet with you and all of the people there who
will be involved in making the decision of if the state moves forward
with a back up satellite system or not.

A good time for the meeting would at 3:30pm. Please let me know if you
can set this up. 

Thank you, 

Jerome Walthour 
Sr. Account Representative 
Nextel 707.333.4547 
Office 707.746.5920 
Fax 707.746.5924 
jwalthour at daywireless.com 

"Communications today for a successful tomorrow" 

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