Globalstar signed a definitive agreement to acquire three privately held companies authorized to provide Globalstar service in Central America, as well as a gateway in Nicaragua, Globalstar announced Jan. 5.

Under the agreement, Global will acquire 100 percent of the stock of Globalstar Americas Telecommunications Ltd., Globalstar Americas Holdings Ltd. and Astral Technologies Investments Ltd. The three companies provide service to Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. As part of the agreement, Globalstar also will acquire a satellite gateway ground station located near Managua, Nicaragua, that provides access to the local public telephone system.

The transaction is expected to close in mid January.