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BGAN-powered Parrot Bebop Drone takes off

10 March 2015: As part of Inmarsat’s open technology strategy, announced in January, the Parrot Bebop Drone has been certified for use over the Inmarsat network, joining the CAP (Certified Application Partners) programme.

The certification is announced following six-months of collaboration with Parrot, a leading provider of advanced technology wireless products for consumers and professionals.  

The lightweight and portable Parrot Bebop Drone is the first commercially-available drone to stream live media over BGAN and BGAN HDR, Inmarsat’s global 3G IP streaming services, enabling high-quality aerial footage to be broadcast from anywhere in the world.

Valuable tool

“The Parrot Bebop Drone will give journalists on location another valuable tool to enable them to deliver breaking news first,” said Martin Turner, Inmarsat Director, Media, Enterprise

“When paired with Inmarsat’s BGAN and BGAN HDR services live broadcast of aerial footage can provide a unique perspective on, for example, reports on civil disturbances and natural disasters, footage which can prove extremely expensive to get any other way.

“The drone used in these situations avoids potential hazards to film crews attempting to capture similar footage on the ground. And because BGAN works across Inmarsat’s global network, journalists can deliver breaking news whenever and wherever it happens, even if cellular and terrestrial networks are degraded or not present.” 

High resolution

At less than 400g, this is the lightest drone on the market capable of such high resolution footage, allowing safe flights and easy transportability.

Portable, cost-effective and easy-to-use, the Parrot Bebop Drone is equipped with an embedded 14 megapixel fisheye’ camera and a full-digital image stabilisation technology allowing the capture of remarkably stable and clear aerial footage, regardless of the drone movements. 

“The potential of drone technology is extremely promising. We are seeing the applications of drone technologies in more and more industries; from journalists covering news and remote infrastructure inspections, to environmental applications and precision farming.” said Yannick Levy, Executive VP Corporate Business development, Parrot.

“We are delighted to be working with Inmarsat, and with the Bebop Drone’s certification under the CAP programme. In places with poor terrestrial or fixed network coverage, we see Inmarsat’s network as a crucial part of making live streaming possible.”