[Satellite Today 11-05-08] The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an order and authorization giving Globalstar authority to offer Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services in the United States, Globalstar announced Nov. 4. 
    The order permits Globalstar’s spectrum to be used to deploy wireless WiMax services to over 500 rural American communities that currently do not have adequate access to terrestrial-based broadband voice and data services.
    Globalstar said the order allows them to commence deployment of a broadband service consistent with a $267 million loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Utilities Program.
    “Today’s FCC action is an important step in closing the digital divide in America,” said Jay Monroe, CEO and chairman of Globalstar. “We expect our partner to initially deploy infrastructure in more than 500 rural communities with the ability to expand the relationship over the next six years to additional markets covering 50 million people or about 15 percent of the U.S. population.”
    Globalstar plans to continue and initiate domestic and international discussions with other potential solution partners to pursue the development of a variety of ATC type wireless solutions.  Such agreements would provide solutions for government and commercial customers who may require terrestrial and satellite voice and data access, either temporarily or as part of their permanent telecommunications infrastructure. 
    In April 2008, the FCC authorized Globalstar to use up to 19.275 MHz of its spectrum for ATC services.