Ericsson R290
Encyclopedia
The Ericsson R290 is a combined GSM and satellite phone
using the Globalstar
satellite network. The R290 was manufactured in the United Kingdom
by Ericsson
.
The Globalstar uses a foldable antenna
that is the same length as the body of the telephone. The R290 comes in a blue and black case in a style similar to other Ericsson phones of its period. The case incorporates some Gore-Tex
weatherproofing, similar to that used in the Ericsson R310s
, although less extensive.
The R290 also has a built-in modem for data and fax communication at 9.6 kbit/s in GSM mode and 7.2 kbit/s in satellite mode.
The R290 is somewhat larger than typical, pure GSM phones, measuring 162 mm (6.4 in) x 62 mm (2.4 in) x 39 mm (1.5 in) and weighing 350 g (12.3 oz) (with slim battery). The R290 has relatively brief battery life compared with typical, pure GSM phones of its generation.
Because it uses a non-standard battery voltage, its charging connector is not one of the types commonly seen on other Ericsson handsets.
The R290 survived the corporate change from Ericsson to SonyEricsson (when many of Ericsson's other phones were redesigned), being the only combined GSM and satellite phone in their range.
users, access to the Globalstar network was available when using a Vodafone
GSM SIM card
. Since 2007 the Globalstar network experienced technical problems with its satellites, and the Vodafone arrangement is no longer in place.
http://www.ericsson.com/thecompany/
Satellite phone
A satellite telephone, satellite phone, or satphone is a type of mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell sites...
using the Globalstar
Globalstar
Globalstar is a low Earth orbit satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications, somewhat similar to the Iridium satellite constellation and Orbcomm satellite systems.-History:...
satellite network. The R290 was manufactured in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Ericsson
Ericsson
Ericsson , one of Sweden's largest companies, is a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems, and related services, covering a range of technologies, including especially mobile networks...
.
The Globalstar uses a foldable antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
that is the same length as the body of the telephone. The R290 comes in a blue and black case in a style similar to other Ericsson phones of its period. The case incorporates some Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
weatherproofing, similar to that used in the Ericsson R310s
Ericsson R310s
The Ericsson R310s, now supported by Sony Ericsson, was a mobile phone produced in the early 2000s in a rugged body designed for use in environments or ways which might easily damage a standard handset....
, although less extensive.
The R290 also has a built-in modem for data and fax communication at 9.6 kbit/s in GSM mode and 7.2 kbit/s in satellite mode.
The R290 is somewhat larger than typical, pure GSM phones, measuring 162 mm (6.4 in) x 62 mm (2.4 in) x 39 mm (1.5 in) and weighing 350 g (12.3 oz) (with slim battery). The R290 has relatively brief battery life compared with typical, pure GSM phones of its generation.
Because it uses a non-standard battery voltage, its charging connector is not one of the types commonly seen on other Ericsson handsets.
The R290 survived the corporate change from Ericsson to SonyEricsson (when many of Ericsson's other phones were redesigned), being the only combined GSM and satellite phone in their range.
Operators
For United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
users, access to the Globalstar network was available when using a Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
GSM SIM card
Subscriber Identity Module
A subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module is an integrated circuit that securely stores the International Mobile Subscriber Identity and the related key used to identify and authenticate subscriber on mobile telephony devices .A SIM is held on a removable SIM card, which...
. Since 2007 the Globalstar network experienced technical problems with its satellites, and the Vodafone arrangement is no longer in place.
External links
Ericsson official Site :http://www.ericsson.com/thecompany/
- R290 Dual-Mode Satellite Phone data sheet. Archived from the original on 2011-03-04.