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Inmarsat showcases market leading innovations at InfoComm MEA 2013

First MEA showcase of a revolutionary new service for broadcasters.

A new solution for beyond-line-of-site communications for military customers.

Update on the game-changing Global Xpress.

Technology evening to highlight the latest innovations in the Inmarsat portfolio.

Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, is showcasing its latest innovations at InfoComm MEA 2013 (C-25 in Zabeel Hall), during GITEX Technology Week, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 20-24 October. These include BGAN High Data Rate (BGAN HDR), a revolutionary service for broadcasters, delivering a step-change in video quality for journalists and L-TAC, Inmarsat’s unique solution to extend the reach of UHF radios used by the world’s militaries.

Additionally, Inmarsat will be offering an update on its game-changing Global Xpress (GX) service.

With the first GX satellite scheduled to be available to support a launch as early as December this year, and full global coverage on course to be achieved by the end of 2014, GX will be the world’s first globally available high-speed broadband network. It will offer the unique combination of global coverage from a single operator, consistent higher performance of up to 50Mbps, and the network reliability for which Inmarsat is renowned.

On the evening of Monday 21st October (7pm UAE), Inmarsat will be welcoming partners and customers to its Technology Showcase. In addition to BGAN HDR, L-TAC and GX, the event will include displays of BGAN Push to Talk, the Low Profile Ruggedised BGAN, M2M, Fleet Management via IsatData Pro and the Mobile Data Node.

BGAN HDR

BGAN HDR received an enthusiastic reception from major broadcasters during the recent IBC exhibition. The new service delivers a significantly enhanced streaming rate, providing a step-change in video quality for journalists reporting from remote regions or areas where the existing communications infrastructure is unreliable or damaged.

Building on the heritage of the BGAN platform, launched in 2005, and BGAN X-Stream, launched in 2009, BGAN HDR supports a portfolio of four new streaming rates, including asymmetric services to ensure broadcasters only pay for the throughput they need.

The BGAN HDR service is scheduled to ‘go live’ globally during November 2013. Its full channel option will provide broadcasters with an expected streaming rate of around 650kbps, while Cobham SATCOM’s EXPLORER 710, the first terminal to access the HDR service, has a built-in bonding capability, enabling connection speeds above 1Mbps – previously only possible on a VSAT uplink.

L-TAC

Inmarsat’s plan to develop L-TAC was first announced in Dubai in February this year and officially launched in July 2013. L-TAC uses Inmarsat’s global L-Band satellites to extend the reach of the UHF radios used by the world’s militaries. By affixing a small antenna and sub-system to either a vehicle or a soldier’s backpack, military and other personnel can use their existing UHF radios to give them L-band global satellite communications. L-TAC has been tested successfully at speeds of up to 70 mph.

UHF military satcom typically utilises expensive and scarce TACSAT channels. L-TAC’s hardware converts the UHF radio signal to L-band to enable transmission across Inmarsat’s global satellite network.

Governments and militaries in more than a dozen countries around the world have successfully trialed or are currently evaluating the L-TAC service for communications-on-the-move, while two of the largest armed forces have already acquired the service to significantly enhance their communications capabilities in the field.

Technology Showcase

BGAN Push to Talk

BGAN Push to Talk (PTT) is a rugged voice dispatch and communication system. It is a cost effective, IP based voice and data service designed to complement VHF/UHF, Tetra and 3/4G based radio systems widely used in the field. The showcase will have two Cobham SATCOM 325 BGAN units connected to a PTT server, as well as a 3G dongle demonstrating a hybrid PTT solution, with the capability to switch between 3G networks and satellite mode. The solution is ideal for both civil government users, as well as for military users in remote and operationally challenging environments.

Mobile Data Node (MDN)

MDN provides access to mobile applications delivered to smartphones and tablet devices in remote, hostile and extreme environments. By combining the global availability and reliability of Inmarsat’s BGAN service with SEA‘s MDN, military users can establish a man-portable, global, 3G base station virtually anywhere in the world.

Low Profile Ruggedised BGAN (LPRB)

LPRB is a unique surveillance service from Inmarsat. Rapid-to-deploy, LPRB features a covert antenna, which can be buried under a layer of material while maintaining connectivity, linked to a specially toughened BGAN terminal.

The device, connected to surveillance equipment in the field for example, can lay hidden for extended periods of time, to be awoken by a command or an event in the vicinity. It is designed to be compatible with a wide range of government equipment.

M2M

BGAN M2M is Inmarsat’s broadband global area network (BGAN), providing a ubiquitous and reliable two-way IP data service worldwide. It has been specifically designed for long-term machine-to-machine management of fixed assets and supports Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications especially for remote facilities and border point surveillance.

Fleet Management through IsatData Pro

Inmarsat’s IsatData Pro service is a global, two-way, short message service for machine to machine (M2M) communication. It enables companies to track and monitor their mobile assets, such as trucks and other cargo, giving them increased visibility of business operations, enhanced efficiency, and greater safety and security. Inmarsat is showcasing the Skywave IDP780 terminal, which is equipped with both IsatData Pro satellite and cellular modems to allow fleet managers to locate, communicate and remotely manage their mobile assets anywhere, anytime.

Further Information

Jonathan Sinnatt
Head of Corporate Communications
+44 (0)20 7728 1935
[email protected]