SkyTerra plans public safety cell-satellite system

24 Aug 2009

In order to develop public-safety communications devices that work all across the U.S. and Canada, a subsidiary of hybrid satellite-cellular company SkyTerra is seeking U.S. federal stimulus money.

SkyTerra is planning to launch two satellites, but the devices would be able to use 700MHz terrestrial wireless networks reserved for public safety agencies additionally. It's seeking stimulus money to develop and deploy two dual-mode devices optimized for public safety use.

SkyTerra Safety Access LLC applied for US$37 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to a SkyTerra press release, the company would add $9 million of its own money to that sum for the project. Requested under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Stimulus Program, it is designed to increase broadband adoption among public safety agencies, such as police and fire departments.

By using the dual-mode device, public safety agencies would be able to use their terrestrial network and SkyTerra's satellite network wherever the 700MHz option wasn't available. An agency could also start out by using the devices on satellite and gradually transition to also using a terrestrial network as one is built, using the same model of handset, according to SkyTerra.

Much of the 700MHz band, which had been home to analog TV stations in the U.S., was opened up in June when analog TV was replaced with more efficient digital technology. Part of the band was set aside for public safety use.