Press release · November 9, 2026 · globenewswire.com
Globalstar, Inc. receives French authorizations for C-3
Summary
Two French government ministries issued Globalstar France SAS authorizations to use frequencies and to launch and operate in orbit the third-generation C-3 Mobile Satellite Services system. The decisions came from the Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, referred to as the Ministry for Digital, and from the Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Space, referred to as the Ministry for Space.
The authorizations reflect continuing cooperation between Globalstar and the Republic of France. They also keep Globalstar’s satellite systems in line with national regulations and the global framework established through the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a framework the company has worked within for more than twenty-five years. C-3 is now authorized in more than 20 countries, including a recent approval from Germany.
France notified the ITU of the system under the name AST-NG-C-3. The C-3 System will comprise 48 low Earth orbit satellites at an altitude of 1414 kilometers, plus 6 in-orbit spares. Ground support will come from 89 six-meter ground station antennas installed around the world, and the system is described as ushering in a next generation of global D2D connectivity.
The Ministry for Digital authorized C-3 operations across the full Big LEO MSS band for 20 years. The Ministry for Space authorized the launch and operation of the C-3 space segment for its entire design life of 13 years. Commands and control will come from Globalstar’s dedicated Satellite Operations Control Center in Toulouse, France, with a U.S. facility at its corporate headquarters in Covington, Louisiana.
Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar, said, “Receiving these authorizations from France is another critical step forward for our C-3 program and its operations globally.” L. Barbee Ponder, General Counsel and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Globalstar, said, “To date, more than 20 countries on 4 continents have authorized C-3 for operation, representing well over one billion people.”
The company plans to keep seeking authorizations in additional countries and regions so that C-3 is as broadly available as possible when commercial services begin.
Our summary. The original keeps its own byline.