Ariane-Launched Satellite Thwarts Cell Dead Zones

TerreStar Networks, which bills itself as the nation's first all IP-mobile cell phone network, used an Ariane 5 rocket to put what it is calling the world's biggest commercial telecommunications satellite into space. That satellite, the TerreStar-1, represents the coming of a new frontier for North American cell phone users plagued by dead zone cell coverage.

TerreStar says the satellite represents a bold new approach to solving cell phone problems faced by "government, emergency responders, enterprises and rural communities."

"With the successful launch of TerreStar-1, we are redefining the mobile communications landscape," said TerreStar Chief Technology Officer Dennis Matheson. "We are creating a new paradigm in mobile broadband network services and devices that will leverage our integrated satellite and terrestrial communications components to enable true ubiquity and reliability - anywhere in the United States and Canada."

The earth-bound device that connects to the TerreStar satellite is a smartphone "with integrated all-IP satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities." That device allows usrs to seamlessly and securely stay connected to the TerreStar satellite.

TerreStar said its network will operate in two, 10-Mhz blocks of contiguous MSS spectrum in the 2 GHz band throughout the United States and Canada -- with a spectrum footprint that covers a population of nearly 330 million.

A significant number of those 330 million people experience cell phone dead zone coverage. Thanks to an Ariane 5 rocket those dead zones may soon be nothing more than a bad memory.