VALLEY FORGE, Pa., March 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) has developed a new LTE-over-Satellite system designed
to provide connectivity to remote regions, including areas without
cellphone coverage, boats off-shore, or during natural disasters
like hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, catastrophic floods or
volcanoes. New hotspots connect existing phones to satellites for
reliable 4G connections.
"When disaster strikes, cell phone networks often go down –
whether because of the event or because of the sheer volume of
traffic," said Maria Demaree, vice
president and general manager of Mission Solutions at Lockheed
Martin Space. "So, it's important to have new ways to connect
families and first responders with people who would be otherwise
cut off from contact."
Typically, during an emergency that knocks out cellular
networks, specialized satellite phones are the only option for
mobile connectivity. While satellite phones will still play a key
role in disaster recovery, Lockheed Martin's LTE-over-Satellite
solution lets people complement satellite phones with their
existing commercial phones to connect to a pop-up cellular network
that is connected directly to a satellite. The system takes
advantage of the fact that 4G devices are now widespread across the
world. According to a 2018 Global mobile Suppliers Association
(GSA) report, LTE now accounts for more than a third of all mobile
subscriptions globally (35.7%). LTE offers broadband data rates in
addition to voice and SMS, so important photos, files and commerce
can still take place even if traditional communications
infrastructure is disrupted.
The new mobility system isn't limited to use during natural
disaster or terrorist attacks, it can be potentially used by
offshore fisherman located far from cell towers, remote mineral
production outposts, scientific and research stations, and in
agriculture operations.
Hotspots can be mounted to vehicles, trucks, or ships to provide
additional connectivity. For example, with a vehicular-mounted
device, LTE-over-satellite connectivity follows a first responder
straight to the scene without a separate device. It can be used on
cargo trucks to transmit locational data, shipment information and
allow vital voice communication to connect with a central
dispatcher.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin