Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services has appointed Airbus Defense and Space, the world’s second largest space company, as a Global Xpress (GX) Value Added Reseller (VAR) for Inmarsat’s Enterprise Business Unit. Airbus Defense and Space will offer Inmarsat’s game-changing high-speed, globally available, broadband satellite service to its large partner and customer base across a range of market sectors, including NGO & humanitarian aid, oil & gas, mining, media and large corporates, among other segments.
The announcement builds upon the strategic GX distribution partnership agreement concluded between the two companies in December 2013. This global strategic agreement between Airbus Defense and Space and Inmarsat covers now all key vertical markets, including the maritime, enterprise as well as the government and defense sectors.
Ronald Spithout, President, Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “This announcement represents an important extension of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress channel capabilities within the enterprise market. We enjoy a long history of close cooperation with Airbus Defense and Space; both as a distribution partner for Inmarsat’s L-band services and as technology partner. With our first high-speed broadband satellite – Inmarsat-5 F1 – on schedule to begin delivering regional commercial services for Global Xpress by mid-year, we are delighted to have them on-board as the latest global GX VAR for Enterprise.”
Danny Côté, Head of Enterprise Satellite Communications for Airbus Defense and Space, said: “Airbus Defense and Space welcomes this further extension of our partnership with Inmarsat to bring the benefits of Global Xpress, as part of our new AuroraGlobal offering, to our large partner and customer base across all Enterprise verticals. Airbus Defense and Space is Inmarsat’s number one distribution partner and we are eager to continue building this strong relationship through Global Xpress.”
The full constellation of three GX satellites is on schedule to be fully deployed by the end of 2014, offering the world’s first seamless, global, end to end, high quality mobile broadband service. Global Xpress is a US$1.6bn investment programme by Inmarsat to deliver the next generation of high-speed broadband commercial communication satellites.
By adding Global Xpress to its enterprise portfolio, Airbus Defense and Space will enable its partners and customers to further enhance their business capabilities and growth.
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.
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Jonathan Sinnatt
Head of Corporate Communications
+44 (0)20 7728 1935
[email protected]
Airbus Defense and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defense and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defense enterprises. It employs some 40,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €14 billion per year.
