VCA Stocks

ORBCOMM (ORBC) VCA Stocks: Telecom and Wireless -> Radio Frequency ID -> Location Based Services

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ORBCOMM Inc. (ORBCOMM) operates a global commercial wireless messaging system optimized for narrowband communications.

The Company’s system consists of a global network of 29 low-Earth orbit (LEO), satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure. Its two-way communications system enables its customers and end-users, which include large and established multinational businesses and government agencies, to track, monitor, control and communicate with fixed and mobile assets located anywhere in the world. Its products and services enable its customers and end users to enhance productivity through a variety of commercial, government, and emerging homeland security applications. ORBCOMM has a contract to provide AIS data to the United States Coast Guard and offer the AIS data service to other government and commercial customers. As of December 31, 2009, it had approximately 515,000 billable subscriber communicators activated on its communications system.

ORBCOMM's offers a single global technology standard for machine-to-machine and telematic (M2M) data communications. Its M2M data communications system is comprised of three elements: a constellation of 29 LEO satellites in multiple orbital planes between 435 and 550 miles above the earth operating in the very high frequency, (VHF), radio frequency spectrum, a network of related ground infrastructure, including 15 gateway earth stations, four regional gateway control centers and a network control center in Dulles, Virginia, through which data sent to and from satellite subscriber communicators are routed and includes a communications node for terrestrial services through, which data sent to and from terrestrial units are routed and a combination of satellite subscriber communicators and subscriber identity modules (SIMS) attached to a variety of fixed and mobile assets worldwide.

Satellite communications services

The Company provides global two-way M2M data communications services through its satellite-based system. It focuses its communications services on narrowband data applications. These data messages are typically sent by a remote subscriber communicator through its satellite system to its ground facilities for forwarding through an appropriate terrestrial communications network to the ultimate destination.

Terrestrial cellular communication services

Terrestrial cellular communication services include global system for mobile communications (GSM) and code division multiple access (CDMA) offerings that support higher bandwidth applications that are not typical for an ORBCOMM satellite application. These data messages are sent by SIMS, which are routed through the cellular providers’ wireless networks to its ground facilities and forwarded to the ultimate destination in real time.

Satellite AIS data services

AIS is a shipboard broadcast system that transmits a vessel’s identification and position to aid navigation and improve maritime safety. AIS systems provide only limited shore-based coverage and are not able to provide global open ocean coverage.

Subscriber communicators

The Company’s subsidiary ORBCOMM Japan, markets and sells subscriber communicators directly to its customers. ORBCOMM Japan is selling subscriber communicators manufactured by Quake.

Wireless subscriber identity modules (SIMS)

The Company’s subsidiary, ORBCOMM LLC, markets and sells cellular wireless SIMS. These are purchased from the cellular wireless providers and sold to resellers.

The Company competes with Globalstar, Inc. and Iridium Communications Inc.

More Information for ORBCOMM, Inc. (ORBC):

Company Website - http://www.orbcomm.com
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