TerreStar Genus satphone gets beamed into an FCC lab

That projected Q1 2010 availability window for AT&T's first dual-mode satphone (and first satphone, period, for that matter) is looking pretty dang obtainable now that Elektrobit -- the device's manufacturer -- has secured FCC approval. As you can tell from the laboratory mugshot here, TerreStar's Genus is a pretty unassuming-looking Windows Mobile smartphone, which is pretty amazing when you consider that it'll more or less guarantee you coverage anywhere in the most ridiculously remote regions of North America and surrounding waters. Test documentation confirms that it'll be ready with US HSPA out of the gate, so if you can hold out for a month or two and stomach some likely hardcore plans and per-minute / per-megabyte charges, get ready to impress your co-pilot in the midst of that next offshore race.

[SDreamer Posted Dec 2nd 2009 1:14AM]

AT&T will also make it mandatory to pay an arm and a leg for any satphone you buy from them.

[Robbie Hottie Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:15AM]

dang... this, lg expo, or n900?

ive wanted a n900 for so long but i decided to stay with att and idk about stomaching edge for a year or so. the lg expo has the projector but the n900 has a video out cord and i already have a pretty small projector anyway. and this has the sat phone which will really come in handy with atts shitty ass service. decisions decisions...

[bonesb Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:18AM]

So much for VZW's coverage map, eh? Hey, I have a VZW BB, but I doubt I be taking that call in the middle of the Atlantic...

[ardy Posted Dec 2nd 2009 2:50AM]

@bonesb

Doesn't work in the middle of Atlantic! Only works in North America (U.S. including Alaska, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands) Some even say the lower 48 States is guaranteed, Alaska is iffy! The satellite reception doesn't work inside like cell reception does. You have to be in a clear line of sight with the satellite to the South in order to have sat reception.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 2nd 2009 3:26PM]

@bonesb You probably could up to about 70 miles offshore with a mast-mounted 850mhz repeater.

[Robbie Hottie Posted Dec 2nd 2009 3:02AM]

In January at&t needs to come out with their own There's a Map for That ads showing their sat phone coverage (full US map) vs Verizon's sat map (completely blank). lol. then we'll see which map gets in the way of the tv. so far verizon is kicking their ass with ads. the new att ads are so stupid. especially the one with the postcards all over the map. that one is sooooo freaking annoying. i hate when it comes on.

[bullshitexpresscom Posted Dec 2nd 2009 8:28AM]

This is AT&T's answer to crappy coverage? I guess selling a phone to cover all those dead areas is cheaper than building out the damn network.

[stonefree Posted Dec 2nd 2009 11:49AM]

@(Unverified)

It's really not AT&T's anything. It's Terrestar's baby that they've been trying to get off the ground for a long time, and after many delays they finally got something that a major carrier is willing to offer. And it pretty much is exactly like building up the network, how is it not?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 2nd 2009 3:28PM]

@(Unverified) LOL yeah. Verizon will still work more places even with $1.50/min calls and 50 cent texts on this thing.

[victor Posted Dec 2nd 2009 4:40PM]

I want this for my 3rd line. This would be good for camping/backpacking/snowsports/adventure trips