Enterprise
Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, today announced that distribution partner Global Beam Telecom has secured an agreement with Virgin Megastore in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to sell Inmarsat’s IsatPhone 2 satellite phones and BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) portable Wi-Fi terminals to its UAE customers. The devices are immediately available for purchase at three of the largest Virgin Megastores in UAE, along with pay-as-you-go scratch cards for recharging the phones credit.
Increasingly, safety and security are paramount concerns amongst purchasers of satellite phones who often work or travel in isolated or volatile areas. The very nature of remote regions means that there is often a lack of reliable cellular connectivity, which poses operational and safety challenges. Inmarsat’s mobile satellite communication solutions allow both remote workers and consumers to access reliable connectivity using a single device and one SIM, irrespective of where they are located in the world.
The IsatPhone 2, the latest addition to Inmarsat’s handheld satellite phone portfolio, offers a rugged handset, unrivalled battery life and excellent voice quality. The handsets come with voicemail, text and email messaging capabilities. Designed to operate at temperatures as low as -20°C and as high as +55°C, the handsets are robust enough to withstand the most extreme and toughest conditions. A key feature of the phone is its location service, including an emergency assistance button that sends GPS location data, together with a user-defined text message, to pre-programmed numbers or email addresses in an emergency.
The low-cost handset – as well as the BGAN devices – operate over Inmarsat’s award-winning global L-band satellite network; the most reliable satellite communications network in the world, with an average network availability of 99.9 percent. This ensures that customers can connect seamlessly wherever they are on the planet – no matter how remote.
Commenting on the agreement, Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “Customers today require access to robust and reliable connectivity no matter where they travel or work. Whether it is for staying in contact during leisure activities or for remote workers needing to communicate with central operations teams, reliable, always-on connectivity is absolutely essential. With the help of Global Beam Telecom, this agreement with Virgin Megastore exemplifies our ongoing commitment to provide customers across the UAE with access to unrivalled levels of connectivity and is further evidence of our intent to continue growing our business in the Middle East.”
Abdullah Sulaiman, CEO of Global Beam Telecom, added: “We are incredibly proud to serve Virgin Megastore’s customers in the UAE with the most reliable, cost-efficient satellite services and devices on the market. Inmarsat has a comprehensive portfolio of established solutions and this new agreement will ensure that its devices and services are now more accessible in the UAE than ever. We look forward to continuing our work with Virgin Megastore to maximise the potential of the IsatPhone 2 and BGAN, as well as other Inmarsat services, to new regions and markets in the near future.”
Inmarsat is the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications. It owns and operates the world’s most diverse global portfolio of mobile telecommunications satellite networks, and holds a multi-layered, global spectrum portfolio, covering L-band, Ka-band and S-band, enabling unparalleled breadth and diversity in the solutions it provides. Inmarsat’s long-established global distribution network includes not only the world’s leading channel partners but also its own strong direct retail capabilities, enabling end to end customer service assurance.
The company has an unrivalled track record of operating the world’s most reliable global mobile satellite telecommunications networks, sustaining business and mission critical safety & operational applications for more than 40 years. It is also a major driving force behind technological innovation in mobile satellite communications, sustaining its leadership through a substantial investment and a powerful network of technology and manufacturing partners.
Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government, Aviation and Enterprise satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high-quality partner to its customers across the globe.
For further information, follow us on LinkedIn or on Twitter @InmarsatGlobal.
Jonathan Sinnatt/ Matthew Knowles
Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 7728 1518/1355
[email protected]
Inmarsat Enterprise is the leading global provider of satellite-enabled managed connectivity services for land-based organisations. We are enabling the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and helping transform business outcomes across a diverse set of sectors, including agriculture, aid and NGO, media, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, transport and utilities.
For further information, follow us on LinkedIn or on Twitter @InmarsatGlobal.
Christian Stevens/Connor O’Keefe
Spreckley PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 9988
[email protected]
James Grisbrook
Director of Marketing and Communications
Inmarsat Enterprise
Tel: +44 (0)7872 158548
[email protected]
Global Beam Telecom (GBT) is Inmarsat’s Tier-1 Distribution Partner & Satellite telecommunication solutions provider based in Dubai, UAE. The company is a provider of reliable, secure and state-of-the-art satellite communication solutions that connect customers anywhere, at any time and under all conditions. Their world-class products and service span the entire spectrum of reliable satellite communications, including fixed and mobile turnkey solutions to address the networking and communication needs of different sectors of the industry. The company is led and managed by a team of highly experienced global professionals with cutting-edge skills and expertise in the SATCOM industry. With their strategically located Head Office in Dubai, Corporate offices across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and their partnership with the world's leading network operators, they provide best-in-class remote and mobile connectivity solutions to clients across the MEA region.
For more information please visit: www.globalbeamtelecom.com.
Virgin Megastore is an international entertainment brand, and the leading lifestyle retail destination in the Middle East & North Africa, with 49 stores in 9 markets. Since its 2001 establishment in the UAE, Virgin Megastore has constantly established and expanded its Middle East presence as well as its product offering to stay ahead of regional growing trends and expectations.
A one-stop shop for all entertainment needs, Virgin Megastore covers multiple product lines & services like music, books, tech, gaming, fashion, toys, and ticketing. The brand has created a whole new experience in product offerings & events by balancing international trends while catering & adapting to local cultures across the region. This is done through continuous evolution in the brand experience and positioning, as well as constant support from the regional ‘it’ scene.
With its unique shopping experience, Virgin Megastore is an innovative entertainment destination for trendsetters and technophiles. Virgin Megastore is truly a global brand with local flavour.
For more information, please visit: www.virginmegastore.ae.
