CJSC GlobalTel has summed up the results of telephonisation of remote regions in Russia executed on the basis of the Globalstar satellite communications equipment.

In 2003-2005 CJSC GlobalTel jointly with telecom operators, post offices and Administrations of RF subjects and municipal formations implemented projects on installation of public call-boxes and telephones in 637 remote and hard-to-reach non-telephonised settlements of 37 regions of Russia, inclusive the European part of Russia, Siberia, the Far East and the Far North. More than 250 thousand residents of remote regions are actively using services of the Russian segment of the Globalstar satellite communications system provided through specially equipped public phone centers (PPC): satellite phones, satellite payphones, satellite public call-boxes. The Globalstar PPC equipment costs from 1.3 up to 3.5 thousand c.u.

The deployment of 637 Globalstar PPCs in 7 RF federal regions in July, 2005 is presented on Fig. 1.

Fig.1.

The largest number of the Globalstar PPCs and the highest level of telephonisation of settlements are observed in the following RF Federal Regions:
• Far East - 220 settlements or 25% of all non-telephonised settlements of the region (including the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Chukchi and Koryak autonomous regions);
• Southern - 73 settlements or 19% of all non-telephonised settlements of the Region;
• Siberian - 261 settlements or 10% of all non-telephonised settlements (including the Republic of Tyva).

In the Urals and Volga Federal Regions 34 and 13 Globalstar PPCs were installed respectively, that makes about 1% of all non-telephonised settlements of the given regions.

In the North-West and Central Federal Regions only 8 and 28 Globalstar PPCs were placed respectively, the number that has not affected the telephonisation level of remote settlements in these regions (about 20 thousand nontelephonised settlements in the North-West Federal Region and 18 thousand nontelephonised settlements in the Central Federal Region).

Practically all established Globalstar PPCs are installed in the settlements located in the significant distance from working telecommunications facilities, the majority of such settlements have no regular transport connection and stationary power supplies, their population varies from several dozens to 1-2 thousand.

For all projects on telephonisation of regions on the basis of Globalstar PPCs CJSC GlobalTel grants its partners the lowest flat tariff throughout Russia irrespective of distances, without user monthly fee or activation fee and provides free incoming calls between Globalstar PPC, that ensures the 25-27 roubles/min user tariff.

On the average, there are up to 400 residents in each conditional settlement and the Globalstar PPC established there generates 150-160 minutes of use a month.

All operating and planned projects on installation of telephones are characterized by quick terms of their realization, have a low profitability level and, in view of their social orientation, are carried out on conditions of granting discounts on the commercial cost of the equipment, its long-term rent or provision of the equipment on the commodity credit terms.

Average expenses for purchase of the Globalstar equipment and the end user equipment, correlated with the number of residents, amount to 400-900 roubles per resident (in case the satellite equipment of VSAT type is used - up to 2000 roubles, exclusive the cost of the hub station equipment), that assures their competitiveness and a real opportunity for budgetary financing.

The CJSC GlobalTel experience in telephonisation of regions proves that, despite of high tariffs, its equipment and Globalstar satellite communications services are enjoying demand in remote regions of the Russian Federation with no or complicated access to local and regional telecommunication facilities where transport charges considerably exceed the cost of a 3-5 minute telephone call and where traditional or other commercial telecom operators do not plan the operation in the years to come.

Based on results of already executed telephonisation with application of the Globalstar satellite communications system equipment CJSC GlobalTel invites all interested partners to cooperate on the solution of the following telecommunication problems in the remote regions of Russia:
• Execution of social tasks on provision of telecom services to the population in the mode of collective access to PSTN systems including access to emergency services;
• Telephonisation and informatisation of administrative and social bodies located in removed settlements to enhance the efficiency of administrative managerial control, realization of tasks of the government and safety, maintenance of elections at municipal and federal levels, notifications of their population about acts of nature, accidents and extreme situations;
• The speedy provision of up-to-date communications facilities and services in business-active zones of remote regions.

By participating in several regional projects on telephonisation of remote settlements with application of Globalstar PPCs CJSC GlobalTel plans to accomplish up to 80% of telephonisation of remote settlements in the Far East Federal Region and up to 25% - in the territories of Siberian and Southern Federal Regions In 2005-2006.

Targets for 2005 - 2006 on installation of up to 700 additional Globalstar PPCs in 7 RF Federal Regions are submitted on Fig. 2 (already installed inclusive).

Fig.2

CJSC GlobalTel is an exclusive service-provider of the Globalstar global mobile personal satellite communication system in Russia. Founders of the company are OJSC "Rostelecom" and Globalstar L.P. In May, 1997 Globalstar L.P. and CJSC GlobalTel signed the Agreement which granted CJSC GlobalTel exclusive rights on provision of Globalstar services in the territory of Russia. Since November, 2000 full commercial operation of the Globalstar system throughout the Russian Federation and in some CIS countries is carried out. Currently GlobalTel serves more than 21 thousand subscribers.