The FCC has approved the TerreStar Genus Windows Mobile 6.5 smart device with a dual-mode satellite transceiver/GSM radio for worldwide roaming via conventional cellular service and additional coverage via the TerreStar satellite network outside of cellular coverage in remote areas of the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and in territorial coastal waters.
The Genus features quadband GSM/EDGE and dual-band UMTS/HSDPA support, a 2.6-inch landscape touchscreen display at QVGA resolution, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth, and GPS support.
AT&T and TerreStar previously announced their hybrid satellite/cellular service partnership in September with the TerreStar service launching during the first quarter of 2010, providing normal cellular access when on AT&T’s network and seamlessly switching to the satellite network for expanded voice-data coverage when outside of cellular coverage.
Woah, is there any word on what the service will cost for this? Will there be some way to use it on prepaid? This would be the perfect device to take on a cruise or hiking or something like that (if the service doesn’t cost too much and you can get it on prepaid).