The Globalstar 1600 will provide service over Telecom's 027 network where possible, and over the Globalstar satellite network beyond 027 coverage areas.

The only exception to total coverage is when the user is in a satellite-only area and does not have line-of-sight to the sky, for example if they are in a hut or densely forested area.

The satellite phone's expected August launch was announced by Telecom at Agricultural Fieldays.

"This is a huge step forwards for farmers, vets, rural doctors and others who live or work in the remotest of areas and need communications even when they're outside standard coverage areas," says Telecom Head of Consumer Marketing Victoria Crone.

"It's also a significant step for mobile communications in New Zealand. As long as you have a line of sight to the sky in satellite-only areas, the one phone can provide mobile coverage across the country, and even in large parts of the Tasman Sea."

"Our 027 network will obviously continue to be the most appropriate option for the vast majority of our mobile customers, and we continue to invest to increase 027 coverage. But in those pockets of New Zealand that we are unable to reach with our 027 network, the new satellite phone can make a real difference to business or safety."

The satellite phone would come with a single Telecom mobile 027 number and work and cost the same as a standard Telecom mobile in CDMA coverage areas. So the customer only needed one handset, Ms Crone said.

With the satellite service costing $30 more per month and $1.50 per minute for outgoing calls unprecedented mobile coverage would soon be well within the reach of New Zealanders whose business or safety depends on communicating in remote areas, she said.

Ms Crone said the new satellite phone meant that two key technologies for farming businesses - mobile and broadband - were available even in the most remote areas.

Broadband was also now available to every farm in New Zealand, via Xtra Broadband, Xtra Wireless Broadband or broadband from satellite providers.

"Emerging on-farm productivity tools such as remote monitoring using broadband and mobile show how telecommunications can deliver a tangible return on investment for agricultural businesses," she said.

"The enabling technology is now available across New Zealand; more applications and content now need to be created by users to drive productivity gains.

"We'll continue to work with the rural sector and with technology specialists to bring farmers applications that created a real return on their investment in communications."

At time of announcement, the pricing of the handset is expected to be around $2,000.

For more information
Telecom New Zealand
www.telecom.co.nz

August 2007