In brief: Telcos gear up for mobile satellite service price war

NEWS The first telecommunications firms to offer satellite mobile phones are on the verge of a price war as they battle to provide the cheapest rates. ICO Global Communications has said it will offer rates at half the cost of those planned by rival, Iridium. The $5bn (£3.1bn) launch of Iridium in 10 weeks means the company will be the first to go live. It has already signed partnership deals with more than 100 cellular operators around the world who will handle the marketing and administration of the service. GlobalStar is the third consortium planning to offer a service, and it expects to go live in 12 months.