Globalstar USA [VOD], the U.S.-based provider of Globalstar L.P. [GSTRF] satellite telephony services, announced international roaming service in Australia, just in time for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games scheduled to start later this month in Sydney, Australia.

Roaming coverage will include the entire continent of Australia, as well as coverage of up to 200 nautical miles off the mainland.

“We have received calls from American journalists who plan to use Globalstar phones while covering the Summer Games and we have confirmed coverage for them,” said Dennis McSweeney, vice president and general manager of Globalstar USA. “Once the Games have concluded, we foresee a continuing market in travel and tourism, as well as construction, mining and agriculture.”

In other Globalstar news, Globalstar L.P. said Globalstar do Brasil, its exclusive carrier in Brazil, has begun service through the second of three gateway earth stations planned for that country.

The new gateway is in Petrolina and will provide service to the northeastern region of the country, its poorest region and one that traditionally has had little telecommunications infrastructure of any sort.

The Petrolina gateway brings the number of gateways in the Globalstar system to 20. Later this year, a third Brazilian gateway will be opened, which will complete coverage of South America.