Communications Ltd., AirTouch Communications Inc., and Canadian Satellite Communications Inc. -- received a licence to offer wireless telephone and fax services across Canada.

The licence brings Canada into a network of more than 100 countries that will be served by the Globalstar satellite communications system, which is scheduled to begin operating late next year.

Quebec-based Canadian Satellite, which provides television and radio service in Canada, owns the largest piece of Globalstar Canada, which was formed in February. San Jose, Bermuda-registered Globalstar L.P. is controlled by New York-based Loral and San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. It coordinates the operations of regional subsidiaries such as Globalstar Canada.

Globalstar said its service will allow customers to use a single phone number as they travel throughout the US and Canada. It will also be targeted at people who routinely travel to areas not reliably served by current wired or cellular phone systems.