Globetel Communications Corp. announced recently its Sanswire Networks LLC subsidiary entered into a joint venture with an unnamed venture headed by Leo Daly and J. Randolph Dumas aimed at deploying stratellite technology in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the countries of the former Soviet Union. Sanswire will own 55 percent of the joint venture, which has not yet been named.

In a separate statement, Globetel announced a joint venture between Sanswire and Florida-based Apogeo Enterprises Corp. to launch five stratellites over Colombia to build a wireless broadband network. Apogeo plans to invest $50 million into the project.

A stratellite is similar to a satellite but is stationed in the stratosphere rather than in orbit. Globetel claims that a stratellite will offer a cost-effective competitor to satellite for certain applications. At an altitude of 10 to 13 miles above the Earth, a stratellite will have clear line-of-sight communications to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas. In addition to voice and data, proposed uses for the stratellite include providing cellular service, paging, fixed wireless telephony, high-definition TV and real-time surveillance, Globetel said.