Globalstar L.P. [GSTRF] could very well end up being the little mobile satellite company that could. In spite of a slow start and mounting criticism from the financial community, the satellite telephony provider continues to push ahead.

From an availability standpoint, Globalstar last week launched service in China with the opening of its gateway facility in Beijing. Two more Chinese gateways are planned for Guangzhou and Lanzhou, which will enable coverage across the entire nation.

“Telecommunications is an integral part of the infrastructure required to expand China’s economic development, particularly in the western regions, and to strengthen key industries,” said Cui Jungeng, president of China Spacecom, the exclusive provider of Globalstar service in China. The reseller will be deploying fixed phones as well as mobile phones to the Chinese population.

On the domestic side, Globalstar USA, a subsidiary of Vodafone Airtouch plc [VOD], announced international roaming service in all South American countries serviced by the Bosque Alegre gateway in Argentina, including Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile.

“With the addition of Argentina, we become the hand-held satellite phone with the greatest coverage available for sale in the world,” said Andrew Radlow, director of marketing for Globalstar USA. The addition of Argentina brings the total number of countries outside of North America that customers can make calls satellite calls from to 39 countries.

Over in the United Kingdom, Vodafone UK Ltd. [VOD] announced the availability of Globalstar service within its country. Customers will be able to purchase a dual-mode handset that operates on the GSM900 frequency while within terrestrial coverage and on the Globalstar mobile satellite system everywhere else.