Globalstar LLC (Booth 714), the worlds most widely used handheld satellite phone provider and a leading supplier of high-value satellite voice and data services to business, announces it has enhanced service coverage in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean with the opening of a new Globalstar gateway in Sebring, Fla.

The opening of the Sebring Gateway is a major milestone for Globalstar and represents a significant commitment to continuously improving service and coverage for our maritime business, recreational and emergency response customers who rely on satellite communications in that region of our North American service area, says Jay Monroe, CEO and chairman of Globalstar LLC.

The Sebring Gateway, the companys first newly constructed gateway since 2004, was originally expected to be fully operational Aug. 1. However, with hurricane season approaching earlier than usual this year, work was accelerated and the FCC application process was accelerated to ensure that enhanced service and coverage would be available in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. The FCC used its power to grant a special temporary authority to enable Globalstar to operate the gateway while the FCC processes Globalstars application to operate the facility permanently.

Globalstar turned up the gateway in July, immediately providing expanded satellite coverage in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.