Globalstar Receives Botswana OK for S-Band TLPS Plans

Botswana became the first nation outside the U.S. to OK Globalstar's terrestrial S-band authority and to sign off on it providing terrestrial mobile broadband services over the 2483.5-2500 MHz band, the company said Thursday, announcing Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority approval. It said it filed its application earlier this year and received accelerated review. It said that through its commercial gateway in Botswana the company began providing coverage in 2015 to 14 African nations and surrounding ocean areas for commercial shipping markets. Globalstar said it hoped to get at least some foreign regulatory approvals this year for its terrestrial low-power service plans, and has applications pending in a variety of countries (see 1701300039).