I am a Globalstar owner and have been for close to four years.Out of every hour you get around forty minutes of service,supposed to change as they are supposed to be sending up more satelites in the very near future.
I have over the years called many helicopters for many people in the backcountry.
One thing that is a bonus is I pay $35.00 a month for unlimited airtime,no such thing as long distance charges.
Another bonous about Globalstar is you can buy your phone for $450.00 which when I last inquired included a car kit.
Yes service is not perfect,but the cost makes up for the inconvieniance of losing service for between ten and twenty minutes every hour.
Every day I do ride while having lunch I phone my wife to let her know how we are and phone any friends that did not come sledding for whatever reason to rub it in on how good conditions are.
Dave