Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT) announced that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has granted the company nationwide authority to operate its third-generation C-3 Mobile Satellite Service system, according to a press release issued Oct. 19, 2026.

The authorization allows Globalstar's C-3 satellites to communicate with hundreds of millions of mobile earth terminals in the United States, including direct-to-device connectivity to smartphones. Ground station antennas located in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico are also permitted to communicate with the C-3 satellites under the order.

The C-3 system, notified to the International Telecommunication Union by France under the name AST-NG-C-3, will consist of 48 low Earth orbit satellites operating at an altitude of 1,414 kilometers, along with six in-orbit spares. The system will be supported by approximately 90 six-meter ground station antennas installed across more than 20 countries.

Satellites for the system will be manufactured by MDA Space in Canada. Operations will be controlled from Globalstar's facilities in Covington, Louisiana, and Toulouse, France. Launches are expected to begin in 2027.

"Receiving this FCC authorization is a critical step forward for continuing to enhance the capabilities of our low Earth orbit satellite constellations," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar.