Globalstar has announced that its gateway in Gaborone, Botswana has gone live, enabling Globalstar to deliver affordable simplex coverage across Southern Africa and the rest of the continent.
The new gateway, in partnership with Broadband Botswana Internet (BBi), provides Globalstar’s full line of simplex services, including its SPOT portfolio of personal tracking solutions.
While some regions in South Africa do offer terrestrial and cellular infrastructure, much of the country’s rural expanse has limited or no network coverage or communications infrastructure. In these regions in particular, Globalstar’s satellite services, which leverage the industry’s only complete next generation satellite constellation in orbit, provide a solution for tracking of people and assets. The Globalstar network enables professional, corporate and government users to monitor vital infrastructure, taking advantage of the capabilities of M2M and the emerging Internet of Things. Globalstar simplex solutions can also enhance the effectiveness of life-saving emergency first responder services.
A wide range of South African commercial and government users, as well as consumers, can now take advantage of Globalstar’s new blanket simplex coverage:
Oil & gas providers can benefit from precise, time and resource-saving solutions from the M2M-based, SmartOne product line. Remote workers in remote areas on land or offshore can keep head office, customers, family and friends abreast of their location with SPOT Gen3®, which also provides a one-touch lifeline in an emergency.
Mining, construction and engineering companies can help safeguard staff and equipment even in the most remote regions of the country with SPOT Gen3 and SPOT Trace and SmartOne products.
Commercial trucking companies can more accurately track and monitor their fleets with SmartOne from Globalstar. At the core of SmartOne is a vibration sensor that alerts owners to any motion, such as attempts of theft. The device not only relays a vehicle’s location accurately, but it can dynamically report engine runtime and monitor faults, both of which can significantly enhance operating efficiency.
Farmers can monitor their valuable livestock with Globalstar-enabled tracking collars including FindMyAnimal (www.findmysheep.com). Animals can be tracked wherever they roam, helping to protect against theft and mitigating the risks of natural predators. The collars can also help farmers remotely monitor the status of water and feed sources for far-flung herds. Farmers across South Africa can now benefit from the same Globalstar-enabled tracking collars that are being used to protect livestock in Northern and Central Africa.
Animal preservation agencies can better help ensure the survival and welfare of South Africa’s many endangered species by using Globalstar powered wildlife tracking solutions provided by Globalstar’s VAR partners. Globalstar’s small, rugged devices are already being used to monitor Southern Africa’s endangered rhinos . With the Botswana teleport now live, scientists and preservation professionals across South Africa can gain a better understanding of migration patterns and animal behavior, which will lead to more effective conservation.
Local and National Government officials will be able to leverage the Globalstar satellite constellation to better safeguard military and other first responder personnel even in areas beyond cellular reach.
For consumers, sportspeople and adventurers, the SPOT Gen3 safety device can summon help with the touch of a button. It also gives family and friends peace of mind with the ability to track the user’s route. Since 2007, SPOT has been responsible for over 3,500 rescues worldwide. Plus, SPOT Trace will provide South Africans with leading satellite-enabled anti-theft protection for cars, motorcycles, boats, ATV’s or any other valuable item they may want to keep tabs on. Intelligent motion sensors alert the user of any unexpected movement. SPOT Trace is small, rugged, waterproof and easy to conceal – and can make all the difference in safeguarding valuable possessions.
“Expanding our service throughout Africa demonstrates Globalstar’s ongoing commitment to making our technology globally accessible,” said Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar. “We see expansion into South Africa as a significant growth opportunity for our low cost satellite solutions. For the first time, people and industries across the country will have access to affordable satellite solutions for personal and asset tracking in even the most rural regions, and we look forward to working with BBi to making our technology available to more people and businesses across the region.”