The Terrestar Genus features Windows Mobile 6.5.3, iFi, touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, camera, and GPS. The device will stay locked with your GPS/HSPA when you are in civilization area. It cost $799.99 with contract. Although, most of us will not love the way AT&T putting their pricing on the handset, satellite handset always expensive.

TerreStar GENUS™ Dual-Mode Cellular/Satellite Smartphone Now Available From AT&T

AT&T’s Satellite Augmented Mobile Service Provides Satellite Wireless Voice and Data Communications for Business and Government Customers
DALLAS, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ — For many people it’s crucial to stay connected wherever life takes them. Thanks to a new offer from AT&T*, it’s now easier and more convenient than ever before to have mobile coverage in remote locations or when the cellular network is unavailable.

AT&T’s new Satellite Augmented Mobile Service with the TerreStar™ GENUS™ dual-mode cellular/satellite smartphone is now available for enterprise, government and small business customers. Intended to be used primarily as an everyday mobile device, the TerreStar GENUS smartphone is an innovative dual-mode device with cellular wireless capability as the primary default mode and satellite access capability as a secondary option for voice, data and messaging.

The access to the TerreStar™ satellite network enables wireless communications coverage in remote areas for government, energy, utility, transportation and maritime users, as well as backup satellite communications capabilities for public safety agencies, first responders and disaster recovery groups.

With just one phone number and one smartphone device, users with a line of sight to the satellite will have access to expanded voice and data roaming coverage in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and in territorial waters. The TerreStar GENUS runs on the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system to provide rich features and functionality, including a touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, camera and GPS.
According to an AT&T Business Continuity Study(1) conducted earlier this year, businesses are stepping up their technology investment and efforts in disaster planning and business continuity programs despite the economy; and mobile devices are increasingly part of business continuity plans.

“We understand the importance to stay connected in remote locations and especially in emergency situations, and today’s announcement is the latest example of AT&T’s commitment to delivering the highest levels of service, quality and reliability for customers,” said Michael Antieri, President, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. “With this expansion of AT&T’s innovative mobility portfolio, AT&T is helping businesses and government agencies stay connected with a single device, single support contact and single bill.”
“With advancements in satellite technology, satellite-based communications is poised to be the next standard in everyday mobile devices,” said Jeffrey Epstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of TerreStar. “We are pleased to work with AT&T to bring powerful integrated satellite-cellular solutions to market, providing customers with critical communication capabilities and a great mobile experience.”

Availability
The AT&T Satellite Augmented Mobile Service and the TerreStar GENUS is available today to enterprise, government and small business Corporate Responsibility Users. The service requires standard AT&T cellular voice and smartphone data rate plans, as well as a monthly satellite subscription feature. Usage of the satellite network for voice, data and messaging is not included in the monthly feature charge and is billed as per-minute, per-message or per-megabyte roaming charges on a customer’s AT&T Mobility service invoice.
Enterprise, government and small business users should contact their AT&T sales representative for information on availability and ordering.

[via MobileMagazine]

The AT&T integrated solution will redefine the mobile satellite services experience by providing users with easy access to both cellular and satellite networks through a cutting-edge handset that is both smaller and more feature-rich than previous satellite devices. The TerreStar Genus dual-mode cellular/satellite smartphone gives users the option to access theTerreStar satellite network when AT&T’s cellular wireless network is unavailable.

Powered by Windows Mobile OS, the TerreStar Genus smartphone supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA network with satellite voice and data capability in a standard smartphone size and form factor. The device also comes with a 2.6” touchscreen, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS.

The AT&T integrated cellular/satellite solution is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2010.

TerreStar Genus Specifications:

• Size: 118.8 mm x 64.8 mm x 19.25 mm
• Display: 2.6-inch touch screen, QVGA resolution
• Satellite & Terrestrial: 2000-2010 MHz, 2190-2200 MHz S-band
• Terrestrial: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• OS: Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
• 100MB internal memory
• 3 megapixel camera
• QWERTY Keyboard
• Bluetooth
• WiFi
• GPS
• Micro-USB connector
• microSD card slot
• 1400 mAh battery

The 9555 design includes a menu-driven interface, making it very user-friendly for customers. Soft keys are utilized to allow for flexible menu choices and ease of navigation. Key features of the 9555 handset include:

• Lighter weight design – 27 percent lighter than 9505A handset
• Compact – 30 percent smaller than 9505A handset
• Internally retractable antenna for compact carrying
• Illuminated, weather-resistant keypad redesigned for ease-of-use
• A menu configurable in any of 21 languages
• Enhanced functionality for improved integration of messaging (short email and SMS)
• Additional address book fields for more phone numbers, email addresses and notes
• Programmable international codes for automatic dialing
• Built-in help function
• Integrated speakerphone
• Mini-USB data port
• Standby time up to 30 hours
• Talk time up to 4 hours

The 9555 handset will be available from Iridium service partners starting in November 2008.

A little known company called Elektrobit has come out with a unique phone that could use GSM in the city, 3G or Wi-Fi when you need it, and turn into a satellite phone when take that safari trip. The phone, which was shown at the CTIA show in Las Vegas this week, strangely looks so much like the RIM Bold or a Motorola Q. However, it is actually a Windows Mobile phone. The phone has no visible antenna, it uses a 300 MHz STN 8815 Nomadik chip, has a 3-megapixel camera, and is supposed to get 4 hours of 3G talk time and about 2 hours of satellite talk time.

[via NewLaunches]

Paul Sheridan, Head of Optus Satellite said, “This partnership means that customers in regional areas will no longer need to carry around multiple or bulky handsets. With the GSM/Satellite dual mode handset customers will be able to use the same phone on both the Optus GSM and Thuraya Satellite networks.

the Thuraya next generation single mode Satellite Only handset and the dual mode GSM/Satellite handset, packed with feature rich applications and capabilities including:

• world’s smallest, lightest and compact Satellite phone
• Network selection between the Optus GSM and Thuraya Satellite networks (dual mode handset only)
• Feature rich applications including; SMS, Built in GPS and Camera (dual mode handset only), as well as the ability to connect a Bluetooth device

Optus plans to offer the Thuraya Satellite Only and dual mode GSM/Satellite mobile handsets nationally through Optus MobileSat dealerships and Optus Business sales channels in August and continue roll out to Optus World stores and Optus Wholesale partners in late 2008.

Additionally, EB and TerreStar are working to enable device manufacturers to rapidly bring to market the world’s first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA smartphone with integrated all-IP satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities. Initial commercial availability of the reference design is planned for H1 2009. This reference design also includes:

• IP-based satellite phone using high-speed packet data;
• first satellite-terrestrial smartphone with a touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard;
• first satellite-terrestrial smartphone based on Windows Mobile operating system, with competitive service offerings, including: SMS, MMS, IM, Email, Push to Talk and Location Based Services (LBS).
• End-user memory: 100 MB
• Compact form factor: 4.7 inch x 2.5 inch x 0.8/0.6 inch
• Integrated Bluetooth, WiFi, USB and GPS connectivity

via [phonemag]