Ericsson
R290 Satellite

The R920 was a dual-mode satellite and GSM 900MHz mobile phone designed to work with the Globalstar low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation which went into commercial service in February 2000. Where there was no cellular coverage, limited roaming or capacity limitations, the phone could switch to satellite mode ensuring connectivity enabling users to make calls virtually anywhere in the world. The R290, which was manufactured in the UK, was launched in limited quantities at the end of 1999 and larger volumes were ramped up at the beginning of 2000. When it was announced, the R290 was the most compact satellite phone at 350g. It was capable of supporting data and fax communications at 9.6 kbps in GSM mode and was “prepared for” 7.2 kbps in satellite mode. In a similar manner to GSM roaming, the R290 only required one subscription for both cellular and satellite usage. With this phone, users only needed one mobile phone and one mobile phone number to make and receive calls on both GSM and satellite networks. The phone could operate in four modes: satellite only, satellite preferred, GSM only and GSM preferred. Users could select the most appropriate setting for their needs. Ericsson expected that the first users of satellite phones would be professionals on the move. It also believed the compact size of the phone would attract many other users, for example those participating in active leisure pastimes such as hiking, adventure travel or sailing. The phone had the codename Jekyll (in the context of Jekyll and Hyde) as it was two distinct phones integrated into one device. For the satellite and CDMA engine the technology from the Qualcomm GSP-1600 phone was included and the GSM capability was based on the Orbitel 907 (which was also released as the Ericsson GS18). The phone's 'boxy' shape was intentionally designed so it could be placed on its side to act as a satellite data terminal with the antenna pointed skywards at 90 degrees to the body. Interestingly, this was the first Ericsson phone to use a lithium-ion battery because of the power requirements to power the satellite phone.  A fun fact about the phone is that units sold in the US market had a white band painted around the top of the foldout antenna to help avoid the phone being confused for being a gun when being help in one's hand with the antenna deployed. Additionally, a fixed 'data' unit, resembling a micro Ericsson base station, was also produced using the same technology. This device was intended for installation on oil rigs and shipping. In February 2002, Globalstar filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The company was restructured and continues to exist. It had numerous issues with its first satellite network with the premature failure of several in-orbit satellites.