Globaltouch of West Africa has begun construction on a $10 million Globalstar satellite gateway in Kaduna State, which should be on-line by April of 2010. Globaltouch is licensed to offer Global Mobile Personal Communications Services in Nigeria via satellite.
The satellite gateway is being built through a partnership between Globaltouch and Globalstar of the United States a leader in the satellite phone industry. This partnership will offer Global Mobile Personal Communications Service in Nigeria using satellite. Globalstar will own 30 percent equity in Globaltouch and Nigerian investors will own 70 percent.
Globalstar offers satellite voice and data communications throughout the world with their network of 24 gateways and 48 Low Earth Orbiting satellite constellations, which gives coverage in 120 countries.
The new gateway will give satellite voice and data communication in Nigeria and all of West Africa. One of Globaltouch’s goals is to offer satellite services to GSM providers, complementing their service in areas not covered by GSM service.
Globaltouch will offer asset tracking and voice communications in remote areas where cellular and landline services are not available. This will be where the majority of demand for satellite communication will come from.