However, since he acquired Globalstar service, Steve can update patient information and arrival times with receiving hospitals and land ambulances prior to departure.
"The reliable communications that Globalstar provides can mean the difference in life or death for many patients," said Steve. "Providing an emergency physician with advanced details on a patient's condition is invaluable."

A pilot with Skyward Aviation, Steve shared his handset with other company pilots who fly charter flights to fishing lodges and remote outposts. With Globalstar, pilots flying from the most isolated areas can notify their base of changes to flight plans and arrival and departure times. The handset also provides these pilots with an extra sense of security in case of an emergency.

"My Skyward Aviation colleagues are amazed at the quality of the Globalstar handset," says Steve. "And in the areas where I travel, people in these remote regions say they never thought this level of reliable, quality voice communications would ever be possible from their town. You can be sure Globalstar Canada will acquire new customers from Thomson, Manitoba."

Steve appreciates the cost-savings of the handset's tri-mode feature, providing customers with cellular service when using the Globalstar handset in a cellular coverage area. When Steve is in his hometown of Thomson, he can use the cellular feature on the Globalstar handset. As he drives to the airport for work and leaves the cellular coverage area, the Globalstar satellite service can then be activated.

Steve learned about Globalstar from a segment on CTV's Digital Desk, which offered the opportunity to win a Globalstar handset. Viewers submitted applications explaining why they should be selected and the audience voted for the winner on the Digital Desk website. Steve's compelling story received the majority of audience endorsements and he became a Globalstar customer.

While filming around Knee Lake in Northern Manitoba, the Real Fishing crew was reminded of just how valuable the Globalstar handset is. "After receiving a call that the fish were biting at a small lake 30 km outside of Knee Lake, we flew there immediately to start filming," says Izumi. "The fishing was so good that we had to call the lodge to have them fly out more batteries and film for our cameras. We also recommended that they fly their guests out at the same time so that they too could enjoy the great fishing!"

"If you spend a lot of your time in the outdoors like we do, whether you are fishing, hiking, hunting or camping, the Globalstar handset is an absolute must," says Izumi. "We don't cast a line without it."

Dan Taylor,
Partner, Giotto Perspectives

"Cellular roaming costs make a satellite call cost-effective. It's amazing to me that it costs so much to use analog networks. While I wouldn't carry the Globalstar phone for most of my usage - in Boston and in other heavily populated areas - the moment I go out of town, it is the one phone / service I consistently wish I had. It has a wonderful battery life, and works great".

Mr Ian Poppitt,
A Consultant Geologist from Blackheath in New South Wales, Australia

"Communication on regional roads is now there - travel time is no longer "dead". The Tyranny of distance is gone!"

Dan Delane
Chairman, Accident Investigations Committee, FedEx Pilot's Association
"As a pilot for FedEx and a union crash investigator, I am all over the world and need to be in constant communication. I use the Globalstar satellite phone at crash sites and the phone allows me to talk, no matter where I am, with no delay and the sound couldn't be clearer. But I think the most important aspect of this phone is that it has saved valuable time in critical situations. For example, when a plane in Seattle was found to have smoke in the cockpit, the pilots were able to call me in Paris and I was able to immediately dispatch help. We were in constant and clear communication until the dangerous situation was resolved. Other forms of communication depend on uncontrolled variables. Radio is weather dependent and cell phones depend on near-by antennas, but Globalstar never fails. And the cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the potential costs of injury or lost lives that threaten people with no means of communication."

Richard Kelley
Captain, Altadena Mountain Rescue Team
"I would like to share just one of the numerous times that our satellite telephone provided by Globalstar has played a part in our search and rescue operations. The evening of February 10th 2001, in the middle of a winter storm, the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team received a call from a worried family stating that there son had not returned from a mountain bike ride in the Angeles National Forest. We were especially concerned because this man was missing in the middle of a snowy winter storm. Luckily we found the victim many hours later, following his track into a narrow, overgrown canyon. Once there our radios would not function properly, a recurring problem in this traitorous terrain. Fortunately, with the Globalstar Satellite phone we were able to report that we had found the missing mountain biker and allow him to telephone his family, calming their fears. Thanks Globalstar!"

Greg Anderson
Captain, San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team
"On Sunday, June 18, 2000, the Team was activated to rescue 2 individuals stuck on the side of a cliff (aka Cliffhangers) in the Off Road Vehicle area of San Gabriel Canyon. Upon arriving at scene, it was determined that we not only had the original 2 victims, both male juveniles, but another 4 adults that got stuck attempting to rescue the 2 boys. The satellite phone was used to call for additional resources. Radio communications in this area are not clear so it was great having clear, crisp communication provided by the satellite phone. We obtained the resources needed and, after 5 hours of difficult work, safely extracted all 6 victims."

Each day, Steve Chaplin, a field engineer for Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd., sends a crew of workers out to a designated area of BC forestland owned by Weyerhaeuser, to plan and stake out upcoming harvests. Because they're based in Powel River, BC, and conduct their field work in remote areas like Philips Arm and Nelson Island, BC, which can be as far as 200 km away, the workers are transported to the work site by helicopters. This is an expensive mode of transportation, particularly when helicopters are required to stay on site for an entire day until the work is complete.

"Hiring helicopters to fly crews out to work sites and back again is expensive," said Chaplin. "For safety reasons and because of previously unreliable communication systems, we used to have to keep the helicopters on site all day until the crews had finished their job - this was no minor expense."

"One of the benefits of giving employees Globalstar phones is that it helps to reduce our transportation costs by allowing the helicopter to leave while the crews complete their work," said Chaplin. "Once the work is complete, crew bosses can call the helicopter dispatch to let them know that they're ready to be picked up."

Before the arrival of handheld satellite phones, forestry companies like Weyerhaeuser had to rely on two-way radios to keep in contact with their field workers. Two-way radios can prove unreliable because of dead zones in remote areas therefore the need for a reliable line of communications with health and safety officials and the home base is essential. Consequently, the Globalstar satellite service has proved to be a reliable and convenient communication system for the forestry industry.

"Working in the forests of northern BC can be dangerous, so the safety of our field crews has always been our primary concern," said Chaplin. "Even in the densest forests areas the phone will work, so we always know our crews will be able to reach us in the case of an emergency."

"Satellite phones have provided us with cost savings and also provided us with an extra sense of security and peace of mind for us and our employees," said Chaplin.

Larry Rosenfeld
Navigator, www.TeamAdventure.org
"Team Adventure set out to break the record across the Atlantic. The record broke us this time but we will be back. Meanwhile as we sail back to a safe harbor in Nova Scotia, our Globalstar phones have been invaluable. I have been able to call all the people we need in Europe, Canada, and the US. We have coordinated standby rescue from the Canadian Coast Guard, temporary repairs at a shipyard in Nova Scotia, redirected our air shipment to France for the finish, sent bulletins out to ABCNews who has been covering the attempt with two cameramen on board, sent pictures for the many websites who are covering the attempt and been able to call our families to tell them we are OK. The ability to manage out going calls, critical incoming calls and data has been superb. The Globalstar connects faster than any modem and works transparently on the computer. We have the Marine fixed unit hooked up to a home office cordless system so we can work all over the boat inside and still be able to talk to people as we are describing situations or troubleshooting down below. Joe, thanks for your continued support. We are proud to be associated with you."

Chris Kelly
Publisher, BoatTEST.com
"The quality was so good I thought it was on cell, but I checked and it was on satellite! No turkey-gobble calling tones, and no real noticeable time delay in voice transmission. Nice product well done."

Jim Otton
Trans-Atlantic Sailer, Europe One New Man Star Challenge 2000
"Right now my position is around 43 degrees North and 61-62 degrees West which is South of Newfoundland about 200 miles. I want to tell you this has been an absolutely perfect device: It worked fantastically."

According to Jamie McLennan, Kennecott Exploration purchased their first Globalstar phone approximately one year ago, and the company has quickly upgraded to nine handsets. The primary reason they use the phone is for safety purposes.

"We needed phones that would work anywhere in the exploration fields as our employees often get dropped off by a helicopter in the middle of nowhere," says Mr. McLennan.

Employees of Kennecott Exploration believe that the Globalstar satellite phone is not only convenient, but they also appreciate the handsets crystal clear reception. Kennecott Exploration has tried many other satellite communication products, but has been happiest with Globalstar, and found it to be the best all round satellite communications product on the market. Mr. McLennan heard about Globalstar through trade shows and from a local telecommunications dealer.

"The Globalstar phone has saved us thousands of dollars," says Mr. McLennan. "For example, it helps us to cut down on lost time as well as helicopter time."

Kennecott often fly crews out to sites via helicopters. If there is an equipment malfunction, all the crew has to do is make a quick call to have the part flown out to their location. This has been the case on a number of occasions. The Globalstar phone size and weight are also appreciated in the tight confines of the helicopters, especially in comparison to other types of satellite communication products.

According to Mr. McLennan, the phones are used everyday and Globalstar has become a definite necessity mainly for safety and for economic reasons.

"We do not put a crew out without a phone," said Mr. McLennan. "And having the satellite and cell capability is also a great benefit because in an industry where your employees are constantly moving from one site to another, it is imperative that they have a mode of communication that is both flexible and convenient."

While filming around Knee Lake in Northern Manitoba, the Real Fishing crew was reminded of just how valuable the Globalstar handset is. "After receiving a call that the fish were biting at a small lake 30 km outside of Knee Lake, we flew there immediately to start filming," says Izumi. "The fishing was so good that we had to call the lodge to have them fly out more batteries and film for our cameras. We also recommended that they fly their guests out at the same time so that they too could enjoy the great fishing!"

"If you spend a lot of your time in the outdoors like we do, whether you are fishing, hiking, hunting or camping, the Globalstar handset is an absolute must," says Izumi. "We don't cast a line without it."

Judd Eades,
Adrenalin Sports/AmazingOutdoors.com
"If you would have told me I was going to be able to make a phone call from the top of Mount Aconcagua (Argentina) when I sometimes can't get a clear signal on my cell phone in the city, I'd have thought you were crazy - that is until I really did, thanks to a Globalstar Satellite Phone. My signal was clearer from the top of a mountain in a third world country than my personal cell phone is when I'm calling from my car to tell my wife I'm on my way home. I recently lead an expedition to Mount Aconcagua (The Highest Mountain in the Western Hemisphere at 22,841 feet). Among the thousands of pounds of gear we brought with us to help with our success was a Globalstar Satellite Phone. We needed the phone in order to provide live updates on our progress to www.amazingoutdoors.com, as well as host an outdoor radio show on KSL Newsradio1160. I was amazed it worked flawlessly; I assumed I'd have some delay transmitting from South America but there was none. It worked better than the landlines we used when we were off the mountain. We had one climber get severally sick on the climb, and the phone enabled us contact his family directly. It helped ease the stress during this emergency situation. I will never venture outdoors without my Globalstar Phone; it proved priceless on our excursion."

"We have tried other satellite and communications systems and the Globalstar satellite service far exceeds them all," said Gordon Cobain, Head of Administration, Kativik Regional Government. "Previous wireless communication systems provided poor voice quality and proved to be unreliable. We were so impressed with the Globalstar service, that we have distributed two handsets to each of the fourteen remote communities in the Nunavik Region."

"It proved to be an important tool when a forest fire required the evacuation of more than 200 residents from one of our communities," said Cobain. "Using the Globalstar handset, we were able to coordinate the airlift of evacuees and avert a potential tragedy."