TerreStar-1 Satellite Now Providing Telephone Service

By Doug Lung
published

Two weeks ago the 2 GHz mobile satellite service (MSS) satellite TerreStar-1 reached geosynchronous orbit.

This Monday, "the world's largest, most advanced commercial communications satellite (TerreStar-1)" was used to complete a call between two of TerreStar's quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA smartphones.

TerreStar's system is based on an all-IP core network. The smartphones have integrated satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities. Part of the spectrum used by TerreStar was reallocated from the 2 GHz broadcast auxiliary spectrum.

"This call shows how TerreStar is delivering a new standard in mobile broadband network services and devices that leverage our integrated satellite and terrestrial communications components to enable true ubiquity and reliability--anywhere in the United States and Canada," said Jeffrey Epstein, President of TerreStar. "From now on, TerreStar means connected."

The company's CTO, Dennis Matheson, added his thanks to those who brought the system to operational status.

"We have now certified that our network is operational and that TerreStar-1, our handset and our core network are all performing well, Matheson said. "While the call was completed quickly, it represents years of hard work and innovation by the TerreStar team of dedicated employees and our partners. Thank you all for your contributions to our success today."

In-orbit testing continues.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.