Globalstar's rally safety contribution

The devices use the latest satellite technology with dual-mode code divisional multiple access (CDMA). Globalstar completed the provision of these 'Mobile everywhere' branded telephones to event officials at the Subaru Safari Tasmania over June 25-27, in forests near Hobart. The company has included free access fees for the championship events.

MSR director Geoff Becker said that the new telephones, which are already used as the primary source of communication, are a "godsend". He added: "They've given us 100 percent communication at all times and, when you're doing the sort of job we're doing, that's vital. The phones have increased our flexibility within the emergency teams. Communication between our first intervention vehicles (FIVs) and our doctor is better because we can discuss sensitive information confidentially, rather than over the radio networks we have previously used. That confidentiality is essential from a medical point of view. And because we have people at the start of every stage, the phones also act as a backup for the event, in case there are problems with the radio communications."

Globalstar MD Peter Bolger said: "Rallying is a sport that is run in remote areas throughout Australia and finding effective communications for the event organisers, the teams and the emergency services crews has, until now, been quite difficult. Introducing our 'Mobile everywhere' technology into the championship not only improves the communication systems within the events, but also demonstrates the strength of the technology in a demanding environment."