Huge rocket signals start of consumer sat phones

[danrok]

The world's biggest commercial telecommunications satellite has been put in orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket.

The TerreStar-1 platform weighed just shy of seven tonnes at launch.

Built for TerreStar Networks, the spacecraft will provide voice, messaging and data connections to the North American market.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Ariane lofts biggest 'space bird'

TerreStar-1 will work with a new breed of mobile phone handset, similar to a Blackberry, except it will link up directly with the satellite when no terrestrial phone mast is available.