Globalstar LLC received the authority by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer ancillary terrestrial component services (ATC) in the United States to boost its mobile satellite services, Globalstar announced Jan. 24.

The system of terrestrial repeaters will enable Globalstar to provide integrated mobile voice and data solutions that will work in urban areas and indoors, the company said.

Globalstar demonstrated the feasibility of its ATC service in July 2002, pairing a modified dual mode satellite/cellular phone with a small, transportable base station. ATC base stations will be similar in size and cost to cellular base stations and can be either fixed or transportable.