Satellite Technology Feature Article
September 01, 2009
SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger Provides Location-Based Satellite Communications
By Shamila Janakiraman, TMCnet Contributor
SPOT LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar (News - Alert), Inc., has announced the availability of SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.
SPOT provides location-based satellite communications in situations where traditional forms of communications like telephones and mobile phone services are absent or non-functional.
Communication and utility infrastructure are prone to attacks from hurricanes and other severe weather conditions which affect power supply, Internet and terrestrial-based communications. In such cases SPOT ensures full availability as it works on satellite technology entirely and is battery operated, durable and water-resistant.
The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is portable and can be hand-held and the device combines GPS and commercial satellite technology. It offers coverage well beyond cellular phone coverage areas. SPOT transmits the user’s latitude and longitude coordinates and the status message gets delivered through email or SMS text to personal contacts. SPOT assists during emergencies by notifying the GEOS International Emergency Response Center about a victim’s location and condition.
SPOT features four function keys for transmitting messages depending on need. “Check In” lets contacts know a user’s location and that he/she is okay. “Ask for Help” sends a request for help to friends, family or roadside assistance giving location. Alert 9-1-1 notifies an emergency response center of exact GPS location and the track progress feature sends and saves a person’s location and lets contacts track the person using Google (News - Alert) Maps.
“We are committed to providing reliable satellite communications messaging for our customers when they need it most,” said Jake Rembert, vice president of sales for SPOT LLC, in a release. “SPOT offers life-saving technology and provides users everyday features and services available at a fraction of the cost of other emergency devices.”
Company sources revealed that SPOT will work in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern and Southeast Asia, besides off-shore areas surrounding these land masses.
The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger employs the GPS satellite network to locate a customer and also the SPOT network to transmit location information to friends, family and emergency service centers.
“SPOT provides essential communication from almost anywhere in the world which is especially important when living in areas susceptible to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados or earthquakes,” said Brian Brawdy, outdoor and urban survival expert who has appeared on CNN, Fox, ABC and Good Morning America.
Sharing his experiences in emergency preparedness, he said that by just pushing a button he can send information regarding his location to friends besides notifying rescue authorities in cases of emergency easily.
SPOT provides location-based satellite communications in situations where traditional forms of communications like telephones and mobile phone services are absent or non-functional.
Communication and utility infrastructure are prone to attacks from hurricanes and other severe weather conditions which affect power supply, Internet and terrestrial-based communications. In such cases SPOT ensures full availability as it works on satellite technology entirely and is battery operated, durable and water-resistant.
The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is portable and can be hand-held and the device combines GPS and commercial satellite technology. It offers coverage well beyond cellular phone coverage areas. SPOT transmits the user’s latitude and longitude coordinates and the status message gets delivered through email or SMS text to personal contacts. SPOT assists during emergencies by notifying the GEOS International Emergency Response Center about a victim’s location and condition.
SPOT features four function keys for transmitting messages depending on need. “Check In” lets contacts know a user’s location and that he/she is okay. “Ask for Help” sends a request for help to friends, family or roadside assistance giving location. Alert 9-1-1 notifies an emergency response center of exact GPS location and the track progress feature sends and saves a person’s location and lets contacts track the person using Google (News - Alert) Maps.
“We are committed to providing reliable satellite communications messaging for our customers when they need it most,” said Jake Rembert, vice president of sales for SPOT LLC, in a release. “SPOT offers life-saving technology and provides users everyday features and services available at a fraction of the cost of other emergency devices.”
Company sources revealed that SPOT will work in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern and Southeast Asia, besides off-shore areas surrounding these land masses.
The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger employs the GPS satellite network to locate a customer and also the SPOT network to transmit location information to friends, family and emergency service centers.
“SPOT provides essential communication from almost anywhere in the world which is especially important when living in areas susceptible to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados or earthquakes,” said Brian Brawdy, outdoor and urban survival expert who has appeared on CNN, Fox, ABC and Good Morning America.
Sharing his experiences in emergency preparedness, he said that by just pushing a button he can send information regarding his location to friends besides notifying rescue authorities in cases of emergency easily.
Follow ITEXPO (News - Alert) on Twitter: twitter.com/itexpo
Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Patrick Barnard
