Soyuz launch completes Globalstar network

Globalstar has completed its network of 48 low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites following the launch of the final four in a Soyuz rocket earlier this week.

The go-anywhere telecoms provider now claims its full commercial service will be up and running at the start of next year, offering coverage everywhere on the planet, bar the polar ice caps. European gateways to the service were shown off at last month's Telecom 99 show in Geneva.

However, the latest advances come at a time of great uncertainty in the satellite telecoms market. Iridium, despite having 'bail out' money written off by key backer Motorola, was taken off the Nasdaq index at the end of last week. The high-tech exchange cited the company's ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings as the reason for its delisting.

Meanwhile, ICO has been handed a lifeline in the form of investment from cellular pioneer Craig McCaw and a consortium of investors. However, the service is yet to go live, and analysts have expressed concern that providers can meet demand.

Telecoms consultancy Ovum maintains there is a place for satellite operators, for example in geographies beyond cellular coverage, or serving certain sectors such as maritime or transport.

However, Ovum and others have said getting product to would-be users is an obvious obstacle - and one that has tripped up Iridium.