Satellite Communication - Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Vsat

TSF to flies to Chile Earthquake zone

2010-03-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

01-03-2010 - A team of communications specialists from aid agency Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) has flown to Chile in response to one of the most powerful earthquakes in the world for 100 years.

Inmarsat-sponsored TSF dispatched a team from its base in Nicaragua to provide vital communications technical assistance for local and international relief agencies in the worst-affected zones.

The quake, which measured 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck at 01:00 local time on Saturday, 27 February, centred on a 90km area around the the city of Concepción, 340km (212 miles) south of the capital, Santiago.

Reinforcements
Aftershocks of 7.5 continued to batter the country and the death toll, initially estimated at about 700, is expected to rise further because of the number of missing people.
A spokesman for TSF said: "We believe that telecommunications in Chile have been damaged considerably - and the fact that the airport at Santiago is closed because of the destruction caused - means that access will be very difficult.
"Chile's president Michelle Bachelet has indicated priority will be given to getting communications functioning.

Tsunami warnings
"We have deployed a team of ICT specialists from our regional base in Managua and we will be sending reinforcements as quickly as possible from our headquarters in France and Bangkok."
Each TSF team is equipped with BGAN to provide support for emergency co-ordination centres, as well as Inmarsat Mini M for humanitarian calling operations.

Fears the quake could send a tsunami across the Pacific led to the Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Hawaii, issuing warnings to 53 countries. Shore authorities subsequently released alerts to shipping on the SafetyNET Inmarsat C Enhanced Group Call (EGC) system.
The Tsunami Warning Centre later lifted the warnings when the waves that came ashore on Japan proved to be minimal.

Source: Inmarsat

Iditarod Sled Dog Race

2010-03-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

Iridium Communications Inc. is providing satellite voice and data services for the Iditarod® Sled Dog Race, which began March 5 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Each of the participating sleds is equipped with a lightweight battery-powered GPS tracking device, which will transmit the sled's location, speed, heading, altitude and air temperature every 15 minutes through the Iridium satellite network to provide a vital safety communications lifeline for the race's mushers, dogs and volunteers. Race officials and fans can view the latest position and status of each competitor on a 3-D map on the Iditarod Website. This not only comes in handy for race monitoring, but also because it allows for a regular stream of data on the racers and sled dogs. 55 Iridium satellite phones will be used by race officials and volunteers during the race.

The Iditarod trail, which snakes across more than 1,000 miles through the Alaskan wilderness from Anchorage to Nome, covers some of the world's harshest terrain. Most of the route – particularly through the center of Alaska – is not covered by terrestrial landlines, cellular networks or other satellite communication services.

"Iridium is the only satellite system providing reliable coverage in all of Alaska," said Stan Hooley, executive director of the Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC). "The Iridium tracking devices and phone handsets will again provide a critical safety lifeline for mushers, dogs, veterinarians, medics, media, bush pilots and volunteers who man the isolated checkpoints along the trail."

Source: Iridium.com

Iridium helps in Haiti

2010-02-23T01:16:00.000-08:00

February 22, 2010 - Iridium Communications announced today that the Mexican Red Cross, the United Nations and multiple other Mexican government agencies have increased their usage of Iridium 9555 satellite phones in support of Haiti relief and recovery efforts.
These customers had the ability to make their Iridium phones and service operational within minutes of arriving in Haiti for use following the January 2010 earthquake, which made land-based and cellular communications unavailable.

"Instant communications play a vital role in our ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts," said Isaac Oxenhaut, national disaster relief coordinator of the Mexican Red Cross. "The Mexican Red Cross is using Iridium service for reliable, real-time communications between our team in Haiti and our headquarters in Mexico."

"Iridium is a mission-critical component of relief organizations operations. Our service is the only reliable mobile option after a disaster when terrestrial infrastructure is down," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, global distribution channels, Iridium. "Iridium handsets are simple to use and make training a straightforward process for first responders. This is valuable to relief organizations, which have a regular stream of new volunteers and expanding missions."

Source: Iridium

Power Gorilla Review

2010-02-17T00:26:00.000-08:00

Found an interesting short burst review about the Power Gorilla backup charger, below are some snippets from Gizmodo:

"The Gadget: The Powergorilla, an 8.5 x 5 inch brick of a battery that charges laptops, phones, and many other portable devices on the go via different connectors. You can adjust voltage options between 16, 19 or 24v, and the on-board LCD screen will show you your selection and how much juice is left in the unit. The battery gives you about two to five extra hours for your laptop, and about 20 on smaller gadgets like phones.

The Verdict: It works pretty perfectly. In our tests, the Powergorilla gave our MacBook Pro an extra 2.5 hours of battery life in everyday blogging usage (Wi-Fi on, lots of app open). That's on top of whatever the internal battery already supplies. The unit doesn't come with a MagSafe adapter (needed for macbooks), because of Apple's proprietary patent, so you'll have to buy a MagSafe airline adapter and connect via that.

Charging phones is an easier premise. As long as your phone can charge from USB, you're set. If not, there are other more proprietary tips and adapters that come with the unit. We couldn't test this ourselves, but Powertraveller also claims that the Powergorilla has many safety features, including voltage limitation, short circuit/voltage/overheat protection. Those are good things to have if you're operating this on an airplane.

Do we recommend this as a gadget? Definitely. Two and a half hours of backup laptop battery is always welcome (more if your laptop draws less power than the beefy 15-inch MacBook Pro), and the ability to emergency-charge your phones, iPods and GPS devices on the go is very handy. "

Iridium 9505A Review

2010-02-15T00:55:00.001-08:00

Found an interesting article or review about the old 9505A Iridium satellite phone. It has been replaced by the 9555 model now days but you can still find these and purchase them second hand. Article below:

"Iridium 9505A: The World’s Top Satellite Phone Model
Mobile phones can be incredibly useful but when you’re not near terrestrial mobile sites or otherwise out in the middle of nowhere, your phone isn’t going to get reception and that’s where satellite phones come into play. These phones are typically larger and more expensive than the average cell phone but they also offer some huge advantages. If you’re ever in Australia for instance, you can use a satellite phone such as the Iridium 9505A and be good to go.

All About the Iridium 9505A
Especially when you’re traveling to a place like the Great Outback, you need to make sure that you’re covered in case anything happens. There are satellite phones other than the Iridium 9505A available through Iridium and other satellite phone providers as well, but this is certainly one of the top models and for good reason. The Iridium 9505A is a rugged and reliable phone that you can take anywhere and as long as there’s a clear view of the sky you can get reception.

The Iridium 9505A provides you with up to 30 hours of standby time and 3 hours of talk time. With an illuminated holographic display and international access key sequence, it’s functional and easy to use. The volume adjustment allows you to make it quieter or louder based on your own personal preference. As well, the Iridium 9505A saves the last ten numbers dialed, features one-touch dialing and an automatic display call timer.
The Iridium 9505A is a satellite phone that really is great to have around. You can get prepaid minutes on it so there’s no need to worry about paying monthly for a plan as satellite phones are typically used much less than mobile phones. The Iridium 9505A will always offer great reception and because it’s water and dust resistant you can even taking it when you’re hiking to the top of the mountains in the Outback.

While the internal components of the Iridium 9505 recently became obsolete and are no longer supported the basic features remain the same on the new Iridium 9505A phone. The new Iridium 9505A is also compatible with more accessories which includes chargers, data kits and batteries.

It’s definitely a relief to know that you have the Iridium 9505A on hand especially when you’re visiting a new place. In a place like Australia where there is little to no reception in most locations, the Iridium 9505A can be a blessing. You can do more things and know that if there ever is an emergency you can call and get help.
There are satellite phones other than the Iridium 9505A available through Iridium and other satellite phone providers as well, but this is certainly one of the top models and for good reason. Iridium is a name that you can trust in and this is one of their best-selling models. Just make sure that you have the Iridium 9505A with you so that you’ll be safe and able to get help no matter where you are."

Source: Talkswithme

Paralysed sailor fulfils dream

2010-02-04T01:34:00.000-08:00

British sailor Geoff Holt, set out to become the first quadriplegic to sail single-handedly across the Atlantic.

Fortunately Geoff, aged 43, had the support of Inmarsat's Thrane & Thrane Sailor FleetBroadband 500 on his 4,340km (2,700-mile) voyage from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to Tortora in the British Virgin Islands.
And thanks to FleetBroadband, he was able to update his blog, upload videos and be interviewed by news channels - including the BBC, who sponsored his airtime.

Diving accident
Geoff completed his journey on 7 January, arriving in the very spot where a diving accident in shallow water left him paralysed from the chest down 25 years ago.
"I wanted to make landfall at Cane Garden Bay, the place where it all started, so that was very emotional," he said.
"As I sailed in there must have been over 1,000 people on the beach, all clapping and cheering and waving flags."
The videos shot by Digby were sent to Geoffs website and the BBC via FleetBroadband.

Source: Inmarsat

Charge your Laptop and other gadgets

2010-02-01T00:53:00.000-08:00

Did you ever spend the whole night preparing for a presentation, only to find out that your laptop is running out of power during the presentation? Wouldn't it be great if you could charge your laptop with a portable battery charger in the middle of your presentation?

ROAM WILD with the ultimate portable charger...

The SatComms charger (24V) will give you an extra 2-5 hours of power, depending on your laptops specification, and over 20 hours on various other electronic devices.

Charger (24V) will work with devices up to 24volts - so from your laptop, right the way down to your mobile phone or iPod and even Iridium Satellite Phone! Just select which voltage you require; 5v, 8.4v, 9.5, 12v, 16v, 19v or 24v and the LCD screen will indicate which setting has been chosen. Then simply hook up your gadget and away you go!

One-touch button technology means the SatComms charger (24V) for laptops is easy to use and its sleek, aluminium casing with shock resistant rubber protection strips makes it totally robust.

It also has many safety features including output auto-lock, voltage limitation protection, short circuit protection, over charging protection and over heat protection.

The SatComms Charger (24V) has also been on field tests out in Afghanistan, Madagascar, Zambia, Antarctica and Norway. Being subjected to extremely hot and very cold temperatures, the SatComms Charger (V24) has successfully charged numerous laptops without fault!

Kit Includes:
- portable laptop charger
- neoprene travel case
- tip pack containing 8 male and 7 female laptop connectors
- tip pack containing connectors for most small devices
- 12v car charger socket
- universal AC laptop charger

Lightweight (631g), portable (220 x 130 x 15mm) and tough.

To use with Macbook Pro, Macbook Air and Macbook you will need an Apple MagSafe Airline Adaptor. Please note, the MagSafe cable is only suitable for Apple Macs incorporating the MagSafe style of connector. If you are unsure if your Mac uses Magsafe, please email sales@satcomms.co.za - you may require the L77D tip for the older Mac laptops (such as powerbook.). The MagSafe cable will only POWER laptops, not charge them.

New Satellite Phone - Isatphone Pro

2010-01-26T23:23:00.000-08:00

Inmarsat will be releasing their new Isatphone in June. This means we should have our stock of this new satphone by then (we will keep you up to date on this). The images look great and the functionality is alot better than the current Isatphone.

The below is from the Inmarsat press release:

'The first images of the IsatPhone Pro have been released to coincide with the announcement of the first call to be made using the new global handheld phone.
The IsatPhone Pro, which will be launched in June, will offer satellite telephony - with Bluetooth for hands-free use - as well as voicemail, SMS text and email messaging. Location data will also be available to the user to look up or send in a text message.
"The first call is a significant milestone, and we're pleased with the voice quality in initial tests," said Helen Stalker, commercial director of Global Satellite Phone Services at Inmarsat.

Robust handset
"IsatPhone Pro is the ultimate combination. It's a robust handset that's easy to use, has long battery life, and offers a reliable global network connection.
"And it's provided by Inmarsat, the market leader, with 30 years' experience in providing global mobile satellite services."
The Isatphone Pro has successfully passed a number of key milestones ahead of its launch in June.

Ground network
The upgrade of Inmarsat's ground network has been completed by Lockheed Martin, and further testing on the integration between the handset and the ground network continues as planned.
The handset itself has been developed by Sasken Communications Technologies, which has led similar programmes for most of the world's top mobile phone operators.
Production of the IsatPhone Pro is being undertaken by Elcoteq, the world's third largest manufacturer of mobile phones, at its facility in Tallinn, Estonia.
Professional users

The Isatphone Pro is targeted initially at professional users in the government, media, aid, oil and gas, mining and construction sectors.'

Source: Inmarsat

How can I display my SIM card phone number on my Iridium phone?

2010-01-25T01:34:00.000-08:00

Step 1 - Press Menu until you see "Phone Book", and then press "OK" to select.

Step 2 - Press Menu untill you see "My Phone Number(s)", and then press "OK" to select.

Step 3 - Your SIM card phone number will be displayed.

Step 4 - Press and hold "C" to exit the menu.

BGan Service Update

2010-01-18T02:10:00.000-08:00

If you are a user of an Inmarsat BGan device in Haiti and have been having problems connecting or slow connectivity then the below alert may explain everything.

'As you will be aware, the emergency response situation in the island of Haiti is creating higher than normal demand on BGAN services in the region. As such, Inmarsat has taken the necessary steps to immediately provide additional capacity in this region to support the ongoing recovery.

Inmarsat continues to monitor the situation as demand fluctuates and will address further capacity requirements wherever possible. However, we also realise that it may not be possible to serve the requirements of all customers at all times and ask for your cooperation in managing expectations during the post-earthquake rescue period.'

Source: Inmarsat

Broadcast the Haiti disaster LIVE

2010-01-15T02:29:00.000-08:00

Due to the recent events in Haiti and the recovery efforts taking place, Streambox Live will be available free to download and use for anyone including: emergency relief organizations, Government/Military, and broadcasters.

Citizen reporters and contributors will be able to send video to the UN, Red Cross, Humanitarian Relief, NGO, Government Agencies, DoD, all major news broadcasters such as: CNN, Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, CBS News as well as local television stations.

Contact us for more info.

Satellite Technology helping in Haiti

2010-01-14T23:44:00.000-08:00

Inmarsat's mobile satellite communications are being deployed to support emergency relief efforts in Haiti following the worst earthquake in the region for possibly more than 250 years.
The scale of the disaster was still being assessed as Inmarsat-sponsored aid agency Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) dispatched a team from its American base in Nicaragua to provide vital emergency support.

Equipment and personnel
Aftershocks were felt measuring 5.9 and 5.5 respectively, and more were being forecast.
The TSF first response team is equipped with Inmarsat mobile voice and broadband terminals, with further equipment and personnel expected to arrive from the organisation's international headquarters in France in the coming days.
TSF will use Inmarsat BGAN and Mini M to provide essential communications services - a critical requirement for co-ordinating the early stages of the response - for the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), and other NGOs arriving to assist with relief efforts.
Along with the electricity and water supplies, the country's cellular and terrestrial telecoms networks are down, and Haiti is effectively cut off. Satellite communications now provide the only means for communicating to, and within, the country.

Family members
After the initial emergency response, TSF will offer free calls to the local population, enabling them to contact family members. TSF estimates that up to 5.4 million people in the highly populated country are affected.

The ability of the Inmarsat-4 satellites to dynamically reallocate spot beams to areas of high demand will ensure that spectrum is available to essential government and aid operations in the immediate region.

Source: Inmarsat

FYI Satellite Phones in India

2010-01-11T23:32:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting story about a guy trying to make a difference in the world only to be stopped by some really strange ruling.

'JAIPUR: Andy Pag set out from London three and a half months back to spread awareness about climate change. His mission was to drive around the world in an old, refitted Mercedes bus that ran on biofuel. He travelled through Europe, then Iran, Pakistan and finally entered India through Wagah border. But late on Sunday night, he was picked up by the cops in Pushkar and finally arrested on Monday. And all because he was carrying a satellite phone.

The 34-year-old green traveller, in Pushkar since January 7 after travelling through Jaipur, has been held under section 70 of the Information Technology Act, section 4/20 of the Telegraph Act and section 3/6 of the Wireless Act, all of which carry custodial sentences.

“Carrying a satellite phone in India without the required permission is banned and he was found with one so we have booked him under the Telegraph Act, IT Act and Wireless Act. He will be produced in court on Tuesday,’’ said Hari Prasad, Ajmer’s SP. Conviction under the above sections means a minimum jail term of two years."'
Read the whole article here.

So, lesson to be learned is that, if you going to India with a satphone then please make sure you have the correct license.

Thuraya XT in Stock

2010-01-06T00:39:00.000-08:00

We have received our stock of the new Thuraya XT phone. So if you been looking at getting one of these, then don't hesitate to contact us.

Whale Wars using satellite communications

2009-12-15T01:03:00.000-08:00

The Discovery Channel has been showing a show called Whale wars. It's about a ship called the Sea Shepherd which floats around the ocean trying to stop Fishing Ships from catching Whales. According to the website Ecorazzi, they use the Iridium Openport for communications:

"Iridium OpenPort Satellite Communications
Beyond antagonizing the Japanese whaling fleet, the Sea Shepherd are also attempting to send back immediate video and pictures of illegal whaling in the Antarctic.

One such device that allows them to do that with relative ease is an Iridium OpenPort device. Specifically created for maritime use, the OpenPort allows ships like the Ady Gil to have an "always on" connection with the outside world. Though its data speed of 128kbps is painfully slow compared to high-speed broadband, it's nonetheless a feat of engineering to upload much of anything when you're in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean.

Unlike your sometimes-'bad' cell phone signal, the Sea Shepherd will always have a way to dial home or send updates. Iridium has more than 66 satellites in space, offering pole-to-pole global coverage."

Saved by an Iridium Satellite Phone

2009-12-09T03:02:00.000-08:00

There are many stories out there about people getting out of 'sticky' situations by using their own satellite phone. Its these type of stories that show the real use and safety of owning a satellite phone.

South Pole adventurer relieved after close call:

A lot of people worry about whether they'll be able to get reception on their mobile phone. Ottawa adventurer Meagan McGrath was more worried about the issue than most last week, as she sat alone in the Antarctic at the bottom of the crevasse she'd fallen into.

McGrath, on leave from her Canadian Forces posting in Ottawa, has resumed her solo trek to the South Pole after a close call on just the second day of her planned 45-day trek.

Monday evening she spoke to the Citizen on the same Iridium satellite phone that she said probably saved her life.

"It was pretty scary in the crevasse," she said.

McGrath fell about six meters. Her sled was on the surface, but she was able to work her way toward her backpack. Then she managed to reach up with her ski pole and make a hole in the snow.

"I was able to collapse the snow from below and make a small hole in the surface of the snow from which to call through," she said. After eight hours in the cold crevasse, rescuers were able to get her out.

She said she learned from the fall, but there are still no guarantees.

"Oh yeah, I am worried it could happen again. I mean, this is not a ride at Disneyland," she said.

Source: The Ottawa Citizen

Iridium Satellite Phone in Space

2009-12-08T01:52:00.000-08:00

Found an article about updates of what the latest news is on the International Space Station. Was quite interesting to see that they are carrying an Iridium 9505a satellite phone.

"It was time again for the Russian Flight Engineer for recharging the Motorola Iridium-9505A satellite phone located in Soyuz TMA-16/20S (at SM aft), a monthly routine job and Maxim’s third time. [After retrieving it from its location in the spacecraft Descent Modules (BO), Maxim initiated the recharge of the lithium-ion battery, monitoring the process every 10-15 minutes as it took place. Upon completion, the phone was returned inside its SSSP Iridium kits and stowed back in the BO’s ODF (operational data files) container. The satphone accompanies returning ISS crews on Soyuz reentry & landing for contingency communications with SAR (Search-and-Rescue) personnel after touchdown (e.g., after an “undershoot” ballistic reentry, as happened during the 15S return). The Russian-developed procedure for the monthly recharging has been approved jointly by safety officials. During the procedure, the phone is left in its fire-protective fluoroplastic bag with open flap. The Iridium 9505A satphone uses the Iridium constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to relay the landed Soyuz capsule's GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates to helicopter-borne recovery crews. The older Iridium-9505 phones were first put onboard Soyuz in August 2003. The newer 9505A phone, currently in use, delivers 30 hours of standby time and three hours of talk, up from 20 and two hours, respectively, on the older units.]"

Source: Spaceref

BGan data tips

2009-11-30T04:10:00.000-08:00

Data services are a core component of Inmarsat’s BGAN offering and there are a few basic hints and tips to help end-users connect with ease.

Two key points to check before trying to connect are:

• Your SIM card has been activated for data services
• The correct Access Point Name (APN) is found within the BGAN LaunchPad software or, the web interface being used.

To check the SIM card is activated for BGAN data services, end-users are advised to contact the Inmarsat service provider who supplied the SIM when the BGAN was sold.

The correct APN will be given to the end-user by their service provider. To check this APN has already been selected on the LaunchPad, click on the LaunchPad toolbar and select “BGAN Services”. Then, in the BGAN Services menu, click “LaunchPad APN options”.

Web interface users should consult their user terminal manual for further instructions on checking their APN.

As an alternative to the Inmarsat LaunchPad, there are several web interfaces that are available with the different BGAN manufactured models – such as Thrane & Thrane, HNS and Addvalue. These web interfaces can be accessed via your computer’s web browser.

There are numerous APNs, advises Inmarsat’s customer support team. A common problem is that the APN may have been misspelt. This often happens if the APN has been keyed in manually.

Source: Inmarsat

New speeds for VOIP on Fleetbroadband

2009-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Two new Streaming IP rates are now being offered on Inmarsat's FleetBroadband. The new streaming rates - at 8kbps and 16kbps - are designed to support users who want to make multiple and simultaneous voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls through a FleetBroadband FB500 or FB250 terminal.

These Streaming IP connections are also capable of supporting the onboard GSM picocell technology that enables crew to use their own mobile cellular phones to make calls via the Inmarsat network. In future this is also expected to include access to personal mobile applications offered by GPRS and 3G services.

Until now, FleetBroadband customers have mainly used the Standard IP service, which offers an always-on data connection for applications such as email and web browsing.
The maximum speed offered is 432kbps, but this bandwidth may be shared with other users of the network in the same geographical area. Data rates may therefore vary.
With Streaming IP, customers can select a dedicated IP data connection offering consistent and assured data rates of 256, 128, 64 or 32kbps - as well as the new 16 and 8kbps channels. Streaming IP connections are charged on a time basis, unlike Standard IP, which is charged by the volume of data sent and received.

"Streaming IP can be used for a wide range of applications. Formerly, the lowest Streaming IP rate available over FleetBroadband FB500 and FB250 was 32kbps. While much lower than the data rates required for audio and video streaming, this was still far higher than needed for a good-quality voice call," explained Inmarsat solutions manager Manoj Mohindra.
"The introduction of the 8 and 16kbps rates makes it possible to manage the amount of bandwidth allocated to VoIP calls more efficiently and cost-effectively.
"VoIP operates by encoding the user's voice into data at particular bit rates, depending on the codec being used. Skype, the popular VoIP application, offers good quality voice connection, but using FleetBroadband Standard IP there is no control over the bandwidth it utilises, and hence the amount of chargeable data sent over the satellite.

Inmarsat therefore recommends the use of Streaming IP for VoIP applications such as Skype.

Source: Inmarsat

More Broadband on a shipping vessel

2009-11-23T00:13:00.000-08:00

A fast-growing commercial shipping company, MPC Steamship, is the latest maritime business to sign up to Inmarsat FleetBroadband.

The German company, part of the MPC Group, which manages 17 container vessels and bulk carriers around the world, has deployed FleetBroadband on the Yangtze River bulk-carrier.

With plans to double its fleet by 2011, MPC is evaluating and deploying the industry's latest communications solutions to ensure peak vessel performance and crew satisfaction.

"Once deployment was completed, it became very clear that FleetBroadband is the future of maritime communications. It truly brings the vessel and the office closer together," said MPC Steamship's IT Manager, Thomas Hoenig.

Source: Inmarsat

Elections with the help of portable satellite Internet

2009-11-23T00:07:00.000-08:00

Complex country-wide elections in the Philippines will rely on high-speed mobile communications powered by 3,000 BGAN terminals.
The Philippines' Commission on Elections signed a major deal for the terminals to help co-ordinate the presidential, legislative and local elections in May 2010.
The BGAN terminals services will help transmit election results to more than 1,700 canvassing and consolidation centres.

Source: Inmarsat

Tweet with your Satellite Phone

2009-11-18T02:29:00.000-08:00

Twitter has become extremely popular over the last year. For those of you traveling to places with just your satellite phone, you can now send a tweet to twitter with your satellite phone. This will enable you to send a message to many people at once instead of one person with just one SMS. But how?

Simple:
- Go to Twittermail.com and register using your Twitter account. You will be given a unique email address (xxxx@twittermail.com) which you can use to send your tweets from the satellite phone.

Create a new text message (SMS) on your Iridium phone. In the message body: enter your Twittermail.com address, enter a space, and then enter your tweet.

E.g. "xxxx@twittermail.com Hello friends, our ship has docked at the harbor."

When asked for a recipient phone number, enter *2. Then send the message.

Maritime use of Satellite Phones

2009-11-16T03:02:00.000-08:00

Found an interesting article on the use of satellite phones in Maritime situations..

The use of Satellite phones in Maritime

Author: Mark Sheldon

The sea covers around 75% of the earth. Given this, communication can sometimes be made difficult without the ability to position cell towers, and given the distance that cell towers cover an alternative method of communication has to be used.

Communication out at sea is vitally important. If the vessel is to run into distress it needs to be able to contact either the nearest military base or nearest coast guard. A vessel could be thousands of miles away from the nearest port or land making sea travel very dangerous at times.

Satellite phones are the ideal way to get complete communication coverage whilst out at sea, due to the fact that, apart from potential heavy cloud, there is very little to get in the way of the line of sight of the satellites.

A satellite phone requires a direct line of sight with the satellites, so at times; with heavy cloud the signal may become weak or distorted.

Various Navy’s around the world have started to make use of Satellite phone technology in their fleets to help support day to day combat. These phones can be used both on the vessels and within aircraft enabling constant contact during both peaceful and conflict situations.

Satellite phone technology plays an important role in helping to manage conflict and prevent potential crisis situations. If a central communications control is monitoring the location of a vessel it can quickly alert them of adverse weather conditions or a conflicting vessel allowing them to make a timely diversion away from the conflict. It is exactly this kind of situation that makes a satellite phone invaluable at times at it can help to save multiple lives and prevent disaster.

Of course, Satellite phones are not only valuable to large fleets such as the navy. Even private boat owners who run into distress can benefit from having the technology aboard their vessel. With advances in technology satellite phones have become more and more affordable and I would strongly recommend they are considered for anyone involved in maritime.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The use of Satellite phones in Maritime

Win for Inmarsat in best of British business awards

2009-11-12T05:17:00.000-08:00

Inmarsat has been named the best of Britain's top public companies at the UK National Business Awards 2009.

The company was unanimously judged to have demonstrated exceptional financial returns, strong growth, and innovation strategies.

Inmarsat's chairman and chief executive, Andy Sukawaty, collected the Coutts & Co Large Cap Business of the Year award in London. He commented: "This award recognises the strength and effort of the whole team at Inmarsat.
Mission-critical services
"We are very grateful to the judges for their recognition of our mission-critical services and our quality delivery."

More than 1,200 business leaders and their guests attended the awards ceremony, where the keynote speaker was Alistair Darling, the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Chancellor said of the National Business Awards: "It is the pinnacle of business award ceremonies and this is where Britain's best, from across the public and private sectors, get the recognition and reward they deserve."
Inmarsat has also been named Best Satellite Provider by the South Asia Middle East and North Africa (Samena) telecommunications council.
The Samena Awards recognise companies for their outstanding efforts in expanding telecoms services and addressing the concerns and needs of the sector in the region and beyond.

Source: Inmarsat

Satellite Internet - Deadliest Catch

2009-11-09T01:22:00.000-08:00

Sig Hansen, a star of the Discovery Channel's hit TV show Deadliest Catch, is using FleetBroadband to stay hooked up to shore as he navigates the treacherous Bering Sea.
Inmarsat partner Thrane & Thrane has installed a Sailor 500 terminal on Sig's king crab fishing vessel, Northwestern, to provide him with FleetBroadband telephone and internet connectivity.

The vessel can be at sea for months at a time, facing 20-metre (60ft) waves, winds of up to 150 knots and extreme ice nearly a metre thick, so hard-wearing and reliable communications equipment is vital to ensuring the safety and welfare of the crew.
"I really enjoy the fact that Sailor 500 FleetBroadband provides the capabilities to contact our loved ones," said skipper Sig.

"What could be more therapeutic than that? I have no problem with the guys using it. Our work is stressful and tiring, so it's like therapy for them - they can even use webcams when they talk to their family and loved ones.

"It will also play an important role in our day-to-day operations, especially when it comes to the weather. With instant, detailed weather reports we can stay out that little bit longer, haul more pots and make our time at sea more profitable."
The high bandwidth offered by Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service will also play an important role in any medical emergencies and equipment problems.

If a crew member is hurt in an accident, it will be possible to send pictures of the injury back to doctors on land to advise on a course of action.
Likewise, should there be an engine or equipment failure, pictures or video of the problem will help the supplier's technical support team to help the Northwestern crew address the problem.

Source: Inmarsat

Typhoon victims receive satellite help

2009-11-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), the Inmarsat-sponsored aid agency, completed its mission to the Philippines, which was recently hit by a typhoon. They provided a communications lifeline to more than 1,000 victims.

The aid agency deployed with satellite communication equipment including Inmarsat BGAN, and Mini M, in regions affected by typhoons Ketsana and Parma.
"We set up temporary calling centres enabling more than 1,070 calls," said Oisin Walton, TSF's head of mission in the Philippines. "Two thirds of these were international calls - people were able to get hold of family loved ones to let them know they were safe and to request money."

With landlines in rural areas still disrupted three weeks after the storms, the Mini M terminals proved invaluable.

The two typhoons killed 849 and affected millions more and TSF worked closely with local authorities and governing bodies to set up satellite-based communication centres to support the relief effort following the storms.

Source: Inmarsat

Mining sector recognises 'invaluable' mobile satcoms

2009-10-29T00:32:00.000-07:00

The global mining community has recognised BGAN as an "invaluable tool" with the award of a top industry accolade.

BGAN won the 'Exploration - Ancillary and Analysis' category in The Mining Magazine Awards 2009, which recognise technologies and mining equipment of significance to the industry.

Paul Moore, editor of Mining Magazine, said: "BGAN is the only mobile satellite service to offer broadband data with simultaneous voice, through a single, truly portable device on a global basis.

" For mining groups it is proving an invaluable tool at the exploration phase but also throughout the life and closure of operation."
Collecting the award at a recent ceremony in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, Inmarsat's business development director for the Americas, Frank August, said: "This award caps a fantastic year for BGAN in the mining sector, and it is a particular honour to receive it from such an industry authority as Mining Magazine.

"BGAN's advanced capabilities and global reach are ideal to meet the unique communications challenges of the mining sector."

Source: Inmarsat

Satellite Broadband impresses military technician

2009-10-26T01:17:00.000-07:00

Sergeant First Class Flemming Ulrich field tested BGAN in his capacity as military technician.

Sgt Ulrich's two main roles are to ensure that Danish troop vehicles and weapons remain in optimal condition - despite the harsh terrain in which the soldiers are operating - and to keep his unit’s communications system fully functional.

Following discussions with Thrane & Thrane, Sgt Ulrich was given the opportunity to field-test an Explorer 500 BGAN terminal.

Easy to use
He was immediately impressed. “The Explorer 500 was easy to use,” he reported. “I used it in thunderstorms, sandstorms and wild rainstorms, and had no problems – I could always get a connection with the satellite.”

Sgt Ulrich and others were able to use the terminal to communicate with their families via email, and to update a website which provides news about the unit’s progress.

On one occasion, he was on a voice call to his wife when the unit came under fire, not once but twice. Two hours later, he was able to call her back to tell her everything was fine and that they had won that particular battle.

As a result of the field test, he has recommended that the unit deploy BGAN on a full-time basis.

Source: Inmarsat

Satellite Technology, the better choice

2009-10-23T01:02:00.000-07:00

Found an interesting article about building a better air traffic control system with the help of satellite technology, and thought I would share it with you.

When Air France Flight 447 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean in June, seven hours elapsed before air-traffic controllers realized it was missing, delaying search and rescue efforts and bewildering air travelers over how a jumbo jet could be lost in an age when even simple cellphones can pinpoint positions.

Could it happen in the U.S. and other parts of the world? Thanks to a relatively new breed of air-traffic-control systems, that isn't likely. Air-traffic controllers in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who control most of the air traffic across oceans, now have modern satellite-based systems that include frequent automatic position reporting from airplanes and email-like communications between pilots and controllers.

What's happened in recent years over oceans offers a glimpse of what governments and airlines hope will happen over land—a "Next Generation" system that will be a vast improvement over the ground-based radar and radio communications system in place for the past 50 years.

The Federal Aviation Administration's "NextGen" development program for the continental U.S. has a history of delays and failures. But it is now on track, according to government and industry groups, to produce in the next 10 years or so an air-traffic-control system with lots more capacity. With satellite-based data links instead of radar, which is somewhat slow and not precisely accurate, jets will be able to safely travel closer together, reducing delays. Faster communications over data links will allow controllers to handle more airplanes at one time. And with better computer systems that can predict conflicts far in advance, planes will get to pick their best route rather than be restricted to the set paths in the sky today. Systems to handle busy skies over land will be different from the oceanic system, but built with the same functions, communications and data links.

The U.S. system, called Advanced Technology and Oceanic Procedures, or ATOP, was adapted by Lockheed Martin Corp. from a system developed in New Zealand (Australia's system was the other finalist). So far, ATOP has saved airlines 330,000 flying miles per year—as far as flying to the moon and half-way back—and nearly 10 million gallons of fuel.

The system has been in use in the U.S. for four years. Data come from multiple sources on board aircraft, in case one fails, and multiple computers run together on the ground to provide backup. Planes report every 14 minutes, though controllers can change that to more frequent reporting, if necessary. If a position report is six minutes overdue, alarms go off. And the system automatically warns controllers if planes stray off course.

Controlling planes over oceans presents all kinds of challenges because aircraft are out of normal radio and radar range. For decades, controllers relied on position reports over high-frequency radio every hour or so, competing for air time with fishing vessels and all kinds of other traffic.

Because of the inaccuracies and time between reports, planes were spaced far apart—often about 100 miles—to ensure safety. That added to delays since flights had to wait for space in the stream of planes and made it difficult for lots of flights to get on ideal tracks for winds, slowing flights and increasing fuel burn. It also made it hard to change altitudes when the ride got bumpy. Now, with more-accurate and timely position reporting, separation between airplanes can be reduced to as little as 30 miles over oceans. (Over land, planes are kept at least five miles behind one another, but that may well be reduced when satellite-based navigation replaces radar.)

Not all planes across oceans have data-link capabilities, and high-frequency radio is still used with some flights and as a backup with others. Many aircraft also have satellite phones that controllers can call. And some nations, notably Brazil and Senegal, which were handling Air France Flight 447, don't yet have modern oceanic air-traffic-control systems. The Airbus A330 jet with 228 people aboard crashed on June 1 about 930 miles off the coast of Brazil. Senegal never took control of the jet from Brazil, and it wasn't until seven hours later that controllers in Madrid and Brest, France, raised an alarm, investigators said.

For the full article: Visit The Wall Street Journal

Add to your emergency kit

2009-10-15T02:01:00.000-07:00

Modern gadgets are being added to emergency kits everywhere. When it comes to most major emergencies such as natural disasters and terrorist attacks, a satellite telephone can not only be useful but in many cases satellite telephones can be vital. During 9/11, the latest tsunami and hurricane disasters , satellite phones were used as an excellent form of communication amongst victims and emergency workers.

Safety kits usually consist of tools, first-aid and sometimes rations of food and water. Today, safety kits around the world, are having satellite telephones put in them to add an extra element of security.

Satellite phones have proven invaluable in recent emergencies as well; cruise ships, tankers and yachts have used satellite telephones to alert authorities of pirate activity off the west coast of Africa. Satellite telephones also continue to provide communication services for research teams in Antarctica and other remote parts of earth.

You don’t have to be the victim of a catastrophic event to need an emergency satellite telephone, power outages can knock out cell phone towers. And even if they don't knock out the cell phone towers, cell phone networks generally jam due to the influx of traffic in emergency situations. These phones are also being increasingly used by army personnel, whether it be on the battlefield or used to phone loved one's at home from anywhere in the world.

Those who love the outdoors, such as boating, camping, mountain climbing or biking, having an emergency satellite telephone increases safety in dangerous places. There are thousands of people every year stranded in the wilderness, deserts or out at sea that could have been easily rescued had they kept a satellite telephone with them.

Obama wins Nobel prize then NASA bomb the moon

2009-10-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

Twin impacts on the moon's surface occurred early Friday in a search for water ice. Scientists will now analyze data from the spacecraft's instruments to assess whether water ice is present. The satellite traveled 5.6 million miles during an historic 113-day mission that ended in the Cabeus crater, a permanently shadowed region near the moon's south pole. The spacecraft was launched June 18th as a companion mission to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"The LCROSS science instruments worked exceedingly well and returned a wealth of data that will greatly improve our understanding of our closest celestial neighbor," said Anthony Colaprete, LCROSS principal investigator and project scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. "The team is excited to dive into data." In preparation for impact, LCROSS and its spent Centaur upper stage rocket separated about 54,000 miles above the surface of the moon on Thursday at approximately 6:50 p.m. PDT.

Moving at a speed of more than 1.5 miles per second, the Centaur hit the lunar surface shortly after 4:31 a.m. October 9th, creating an impact that instruments aboard LCROSS observed for approximately four minutes. LCROSS then impacted the surface at approximately 4:36 a.m.

Source: Satnews

Inmarsat donates 70 BGans

2009-10-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

Inmarsat has enhanced its commitment to disaster response with a donation of 70 BGAN terminals to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Inmarsat chairman and chief executive Andy Sukawaty said the agreement further extends the use of Inmarsat equipment for disaster relief.
"Inmarsat was founded on the principle that communications can save lives, and there is no better use for our services than that," said Andy.
"We remain deeply committed to continuing our involvement in disaster relief programmes, and to strengthening our partnership with the ITU."

Following the launch of its ITU Framework for Co-operation in Emergencies, industry leaders in technology, financing and airfreight services are now able to rally around the ITU's rapid response efforts, helping countries hit by disasters through the use of information communications technology (ICT) when terrestrial networks are disrupted or destroyed.
ITU chief of emergency telecommunications Cosmas Zavazava said: "The ITU continues to attract partners committed to using technology to save lives. This people-oriented partnership is one such example."

UN-backed emergency communications, including BGAN terminals, have been deployed recently to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Sumatra, the tsunami that struck American Samoa and other South Pacific islands and the double-cyclone crossing

Inmarsat-sponsored Télécoms Sans Frontières mobilised to each disaster to set up emergency communications centres and provide humanitarian calling facilities for affected populations.

Antarctica + Iridium

2009-10-07T01:22:00.000-07:00

'The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has approved a resolution requiring members’ passenger ships to be fitted with satellite tracking devices based on Iridium (Iridium Communications Inc.) (NASDAQ: IRDM). The devices will report ships’ positions at least once per hour when cruising in Antarctic waters. These devices use Iridium’s short-burst data (SBD) service to transmit position reports from the ships at sea to a shore-based server, which can be accessed through a secure Internet connection by ship operators, search-and-rescue authorities and other authorized users. '

Source: Satnews

Free emergency calling out at sea

2009-10-05T03:13:00.000-07:00

What is 505 Emergency Calling?
505 Emergency Calling is a new safety communications facility for FleetBroadband. It allows vessels in an emergency situation to make voice calls directly to a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) by simply calling the short code number ‘505’.

What is the tariff for 505 Emergency Calling?
This is a free facility provided by Inmarsat. You will not be charged for your call providing the number is only used in emergency situations.

Which Inmarsat service is 505 available on?
505 Emergency Calling is available with Inmarsat FleetBroadband using any FleetBroadband terminal (FB500, FB250, or FB150). No additional equipment is required to access the facility.

Who is 505 for?
It is designed to be used by any vessel equipped with FleetBroadband but without GMDSS-compliant facilities. 505 Emergency Calling is ideally suited to small to medium-sized vessels in the merchant, leisure and fishing sectors. It is also expected that larger vessels will be interested in this facility as a back-up service.

How to use 505 Emergency Calling?
Simply call 505 and initiate the call in the normal way, either by pressing theor # key. You will be automatically connected to an appropriate MRCC, depending on the Inmarsat region you are in. When connected you will be asked to provide the following information:
Who you are (vessel name, telephone number and callsign)
Where you are (your position in latitude and longitude or a bearing and distance from a known geographical point)
What is wrong (nature of emergency/difficulty)
Type of assistance required
Number of persons on board

Source: Inmarsat

Cheaper crew calling launches out at sea

2009-10-02T02:20:00.000-07:00

Ships' crew can now make cheap rate phone calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with FleetBroadband, making it easier to stay in touch with home.
Enhanced Super Quiet Time (ESQT) is a new service from Inmarsat that allows mariners to phone family and friends at reduced cost using pre-paid cards.
It is available on all FleetBroadband terminals - FB500, FB250 and FB150 - from 1 October.

Inmarsat maritime market manager Kartik Sinha said: "This evolution of our FleetBroadband proposition puts the focus firmly on crew welfare.
"For mariners spending long periods at sea, being able to make lower cost voice calls to family and friends whenever they want will really raise morale.
"It is also another benefit of FleetBroadband to ship owners and managers, who recognise the importance of having a happy crew."

Source: Inmarsat

Satellite technology helps flood victims in Philippines

2009-10-01T02:10:00.000-07:00

Mobile satcoms are providing vital emergency communications after Tropical Storm Ketsana caused severe flooding in The Philippines.
The storm hit the country on 26 September, bringing nine hours of torrential rains which caused massive floods - the worst to hit Manila and surrounding provinces for 40 years.
Eighty per cent of Manila was submerged and a state of calamity was declared in eight regions of the country as 435,000 people were displaced and more than 240 lost their lives.

The Inmarsat-sponsored emergency communications aid agency Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) swiftly deployed a team equipped with BGAN and Mini M to the country from their regional base in Bangkok, Thailand.
"We installed an emergency communications centre, equipped with BGAN connectivity, to support the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in Manila and to provide technical assistance to facilitate aid coordination and enable relief workers to communicate right at the heart of the affected area," said a TSF spokesman.
With so many left homeless by the floods TSF may also offer humanitarian calling services using its Mini M mobile satphones.

TSF says it is monitoring the situation across the region as Ketsana threatens several countries including Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.
According to the latest information available for Vietnam, over 100,000 people have been evacuated and more than 20 deaths have been reported.
In addition to this first humanitarian tragedy, a second tropical storm will probably hit on Thursday the North of the Philippines.

Source: Inmarsat

Next generation imaging satellites launching soon

2009-09-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

WorldView-2 will be launched aboard a Delta II launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). The launch vehicle will deliver the satellite into orbit where the satellite will begin its mission of collecting and recording high-resolution, commercial, digital Earth imagery from space.

United Launch Alliance provides the Delta II launch vehicle and mission services under a commercial launch service contract administered by Boeing Launch Services for DigitalGlobe, located in Longmont, Colorado. The first of the DigitalGlobe next-generation class of imaging satellites, WorldView-1, was launched by a Delta II in September 2007.

WorldView-2 is the first high-resolution 8-band multispectral satellite commercially available. Along with the four typical multispectral bands, blue, green, red and near infrared, WorldView-2 is introducing the following new color bands for enhanced multispectral analysis: red edge, coastal, yellow and near infrared 2. Operating at an altitude of 770 kilometers, WorldView-2 will provide half-meter panchromatic resolution and 1.8-meter multispectral resolution.

Highly detailed satellite imagery is currently used for a host of applications:
- Precise map creation
- In-depth image analysis
- Urban planning
- Internet portals and navigation technology
- Environmental monitoring/Disaster assessment and response
- Oil and gas exploration

Source: SatNews

BGan perfect for disaster situations

2009-09-25T00:37:00.000-07:00

Governments in central America are learning how to sharpen their disaster response using BGAN.

The Disaster Management Workshop from 21-23 September familiarised government officials with Inmarsat's mobile voice and broadband data communications service.

The goal was to equip communications officials with a working knowledge of BGAN so they can quickly and effectively use Inmarsat's network in an emergency.
During the workshop, Inmarsat guided 30 engineers and technicians from the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
"BGAN has proven to be an indispensable tool during times of crisis, providing voice and high-speed data connectivity when all other communications options fail," said Diane Cornell, Inmarsat vice-president of government affairs.

"Once familiar with the equipment, first responders can generally be on the network making voice calls and using the internet within five minutes of arrival at the site of a disaster."

In 2008 when Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike battered the region, a BGAN-equipped emergency communication centre established in Haiti supported more than 30 aid organisations.
BGAN helped to transmit more than 11,200Mb of data for situation reports, needs assessments, medicine lists and other vital information.

Source: Inmarsat

This Cube Isn't Cheese

2009-09-22T03:14:00.000-07:00

It's official — The date of the first ever Swisscube satellite launch is planned for next Wednesday September 23 according to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO); liftoff is expected at 8:23 a.m., Swiss time.

Switzerland's first satellite, named SwissCube, will travel on the PSLV (C14 mission) from Satish Dhawan Center near Chennai. This picosatellite (10x10x10 cm3, 1 kg) has been developed at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland in collaboration with several other swiss engineering schools, universities and private industry; the University of Neuchâtel and five universities of applied sciences in western and German-speaking Switzerland. RUAG Space provided extensive support to the students during the construction of the satellite. About 200 students participated in the elaboration, fabrication and tests of the satellite.

The SwissCube scientific mission will focus on the observation of the airglow phenomena, a photoluminescence of the atmosphere occurring at approximately 100 km altitude. The objectives are thus to observe oxygen emission in order to characterize the airglow intensity as a function of the observation angle, the altitude, the latitude and the local time. The minimum science duration is 3 months, with an extended science mission of duration up to one year. This project further validates the successful collaboration between India and Switzerland.

Source: SatNews

Alliance To Facilitate Development Of Two-Way Satellite Data Solutions For Improved Tracking, Messaging And Emergency Communications

2009-09-21T02:35:00.000-07:00

Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) is joining with mobile satellite industry companies and the emergency response community to form the ProTECTS (Promotion of Two-way Emergency Communication and Tracking Systems) Alliance. The primary goal of the alliance is to foster the rapid and orderly adoption of portable, two-way satellite-based location, tracking and messaging technologies.

The alliance will provide a forum for addressing issues affecting the suppliers and users of these vital safety devices. It also will seek to foster the development and deployment of bi-directional satellite data solutions meeting the requirements of the growing population of government and business organizations using portable tracking devices, as well as the public-safety community.

“The ProTECTS Alliance will advocate for industry standards based on two-way satellite data links,” said Patrick Shay, vice president and general manager of Iridium’s data division. “Soldiers in the field, disaster relief workers, pipeline inspectors in remote oil fields, helicopter pilots fighting forest fires, scientific expeditions in the Antarctic and sailors on the high seas are all relying on satellite location technology as a critical safety lifeline, and the interactive
bi-directional data link helps ensure their distress messages are heard and that help reaches them.”

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Free maritime Emergency Calling launching soon

2009-09-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

A new maritime safety service for all FleetBroadband users - 505 Emergency Calling - will be launched across the world on 1 October.

Inmarsat FleetBroadband customers who call 505 will be connected automatically to a coast guard rescue centre wherever they are in the world.
Inmarsat's head of maritime safety, Peter Blackhurst, said: "505 Emergency Calling is a short code dialling service for people who use FleetBroadband services and terminals.

Quick and simple
"It puts them straight through to a 24-hour operational Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) so they can speak to the right person if they have an emergency on board, such as their boat being in difficulties or a medical emergency.

There is no subscription or call charge for the 505 Emergency Calling - and it can be activated immediately just by dialling 505.

James Instance, Rescue Centre manager at Falmouth Coast Guard in the UK said: "505 is an easy number to remember because of its similarity to SOS. We welcome any service at the heart of maritime safety - any delay in safety communication can mean the difference between recovering bodies or rescuing people.

"After dialling 505, voice calls will be connected via Inmarsat directly to one of the selected MRCCs located strategically around the globe. These centres are manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are charged with giving advice and providing assistance to vessels in distress."

Source: Inmarsat

South African satellite to arrive in space soon

2009-09-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

SumbandilaSat, a South African built satellite will be launched into space on Tuesday with the help of a Russian Soyuz rocket from Baikonur Kazakhastan. The satellite cost R26 Million and weighs 81Kg. It was built by the help of the Stellenbosch University's engineering faculty.

SumbandilaSat will assist in managing disasters (floods and fires), food security (crop yield estimation), health (prediction of outbreaks), safety and security, water resources and energy security. Carrying high resolution cameras, it will produce images to be used for agriculture, mapping of infrastructure and land use, population measurement and the monitoring of dam levels. The information will be streamed to the satellite applications centre at Hartbeeshoek, near Pretoria.

Source: TechCentral

Ship in Middle East uses FB150

2009-09-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

An offshore supply ship has become the first vessel in the Middle East to benefit from Inmarsat's latest broadband maritime service, FleetBroadband 150.

Zakher Marine International is introducing the newest member of the FleetBroadband family to its fleet in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the increased data demands it has experienced recently.

The cost-effective150kbps service will enable the vessels to deal with data communications to and from its on-shore office and offer more flexibility when using the internet.

A further five FB150 terminals will be installed on its offshore tugs this month.
"With FB150 we know that business communication will be reliable, consistent and of the highest quality."

Kyle Hurst, maritime market manager for Inmarsat, said: "The FleetBroadband success story continues to develop, led by the global adoption of FB150.

Source: Inmarsat

Satellite Communication Print Advert

2009-09-11T06:07:00.001-07:00

Featured in this months issue of Techsmart magazine.

Satellite operator of the year

2009-09-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

A panel of industry experts has named Inmarsat as Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) Operator of the Year at the Annual Awards for Excellence in Satellite Management.
Presented each year at the World Satellite Business Week, the awards recognise outstanding achievement and are among the industry's highest tributes.

Award winners are selected by a jury of industry experts from global satellite research and analyst firm Euroconsult, Space News and Satellite Finance, using rigorous quantitative and qualitative standards to reach their decision.

Strong impact
"The Awards for Excellence in Satellite Management recognise companies who have made a particularly strong impact on the satellite industry through their vision, growth, profit or innovation," said Pacôme Revillon, chief executive officer of award sponsors Euroconsult.

Source: Inmarsat

Telkom beaten by a pigeon?

2009-09-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

Most people have by now heard the news of the pigeon called Winston. A certain company decided to finally test the speed of Telkoms ADSL service by racing their own pigeon 'Winston' against the download speed of Telkoms ADSL line. The idea was to place the data on a memory card and attach it to the pigeon who would then fly from point A to point B. During the flight the company would start a download of the same file via the ADSL line. The size of the file was quite large and, of course, the pigeon won.

A lot of people complain about the Telkom service but I for one find it suitable for my needs. If I was using mission critical equipment I may find another service provider. Satellite Broadband Internet would probably be my choice over regular ADSL.

Satellite Broadband Internet is not new. It is a very reliable form of Broadband and different to the norm. It can also be a lot faster than regular broadband. You can even choose a mobile option called BGan. This is a device which I have mentioned numerous times in my blog. You may not recognise the name but if you have ever watched CNN and seen a reporter reporting live from Iraq or Afghanistan live via satellite, chances are, that he or she is using the BGan to stream live video. For more info about BGan you can visit our BGan website.

BGan helps fire-fighters

2009-09-09T01:01:00.000-07:00

Global fire-fighters may soon use BGAN to tackle deadly summer wildfires that destroy property and claim lives around the world.

A new partnership between Inmarsat and San Diego State University (SDSU) is developing and testing solutions to extend the availability of Geographic Information System (GIS) data for fire teams operating in remote locations.
GIS translates geographic information into maps, globes, reports and charts enabling the user to better interpret the data available.

Inmarsat is working with the university's Immersive Visualization Center ("Viz Lab"), which is part of the university's homeland security programme.
"By delivering dynamic, real-time information about fire perimeters, weather and ground conditions, Inmarsat and the SDSU Viz Lab will enhance the ability of incident commanders to protect lives and property and improve the safety of fire-fighters in the field," said Inmarsat's vice-president of global government services, Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch.
Previously, GIS information critical for remote firefighting could not be made available with any degree of reliability, explained Rebecca.

But now Inmarsat's global BGAN network can deliver data at high speed to teams operating beyond the reach of terrestrial-based landline and wireless networks using highly-portable BGAN satellite terminals.

Source: Inmarsat

Inmarsat Network Upgrade

2009-09-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

The Classic Aero services are now available over Inmarsat's latest generation I-4 satellites. As a result, air transport, business, VIP and government users of Classic Aero can now access SwiftBroadband through a single antenna and set of avionics.
This enhancement to the Inmarsat network allows users to enjoy the benefits of satellite-aided air traffic control alongside SwiftBroadband-based high-speed connectivity for passenger and crew applications.

The Classic Aero services are currently used in more than 8,000 airliners, business jets and military aircraft for operational and safety-critical services, such as Acars and CPDLC (Controller-Pilot Datalink Communication) links between the flight deck and air traffic control.

The Classic services now available over the Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellites in addition to the Inmarsat-3 constellation are C8400 voice plus Data-2 (for Acars and CPDLC) and Data-3.

Source: Inmarsat

Stream Live

2009-09-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

The Streambox Live Service will change how the world captures and receives live video.

Streambox Live Service Key Features:
• Streambox Live Service enables 512 KBPS video feeds to support broadcast-quality SD Video
• Free, easy-to-use, consumer friendly mobile encoding software for mobile phones, Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh computers
• Digital Rights Management - contributors and broadcasters can set video rights for control and video access for live and archived video
• Streambox Live Service supports automated and ad hoc live video routing for playout on Streambox decoders and Streambox Media Player
Streambox Live Service operates seamlessly with Streambox's industry-leading platform of SD and HD broadcast-quality video encoders, decoders, as well as its complete line of broadcast and distribution servers.

Protect your satellite phone

2009-09-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

Pelican cases are now available from us. These cases can Keep your satellite phone and accessories protected at all times, they are engineered to perform and be dependable in the most extreme environments. They can also be used for all kinds of equipment that needs the ultimate protection.

Below is a story from a user of a Pelican case:
David used a Pelican case to carry his sensitive equipment - GPS, housing, cameras, phone, sea maps, tide charts… “I dropped the box a long way back from the waters edge before running in. Before I knew it, I was out helping to save boats and people caught in the churning, powerful waters. I suddenly thought of my box that was out in that disaster probably flooded and ruined! The next day, the box was found 2 km's south west of the island. I opened it… and with a bit of a shock I found everything bone dry, and in working order with only missed calls on my cell phone. All the rest of my gear was gone, but that box was the most important to me. Thank you very much; keep up the good work!” David Brown, Dive Master. Hampshire UK. 2005

Source: Pelican

Iridium To Provide Communications Service Along Canadian Trans-Labrador Highway

2009-08-27T02:50:00.000-07:00

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is establishing an Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium)-based satellite phone service for motorists on the Trans-Labrador Highway.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched this new Iridium-based satellite phone program for the Trans-Labrador Highway to ensure they had the most reliable communications capability possible. The Iridium solution replaces and upgrades previous communications services from other providers. Through this program, local hotel operators will offer Iridium phones as loaners to motorists traveling along the highway. The phones will be pre-programmed to direct calls to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which will coordinate necessary emergency responses directly or through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Trans-Labrador Highway is made up of more than 950 miles of asphalt and gravel road, with very few turnoffs or stops, in a remote region of northeastern Canada.

“We are confident that the Iridium phones will provide a more reliable and consistent performance communication lifeline, which is very important as it is the only means of communication on a long, desolate stretch of highway,” said Trevor Taylor, transportation minister for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Thuraya launches new Satphone

2009-08-24T00:19:00.000-07:00

Thuraya XT - World's toughest satellite phone

Thuraya XT, the world's first IP54/IK03 certified satellite phone, has arrived (ETA in SA unavailable). Splash resistant, dust protected, and shockproof, Thuraya XT is the most rugged handset combining satellite phone functionality with the dependability of Thuraya's superior network.

Thuraya XT lets you stay close. Wherever you are within Thuraya's extensive coverage area, however remote the location, you're never more than a phone call away.

Thuraya XT is ideal for everybody who moves around in areas where local networks are unreliable or non-existent. Its extremely durable construction makes Thuraya XT ideally suited to tough environments, where other satellite phones may not handle the conditions so well.

Rugged design
Built to exacting standards and using the latest durable polycarbonates for the outside case, the Thuraya XT is, quite simply, the most durable satellite phone on the market. But don't take our word for it - Thuraya XT's IP54/IK03 rating is a globally recognised standard from the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Internet-on-the-go
The handset's GmPRS capability means you can easily send/receive emails and browse the web with your laptop or PC from anywhere, at download/upload speeds of 60/15kbps. Fax and data speeds are 9.6kbps.

Reliability Thuraya XT boasts the longest battery life of any satellite handset, providing up to 6 hours talk-time and up to 80 hours standby-time.

Compact and lightweight
Weighing only 193g and measuring just 128 x 53 x 26.5mm (h x w x d), Thuraya XT is incredibly compact and lightweight, but heavy on features and reliability.

Thuraya XT, the world's toughest satellite handset - stay close.

Key features

Satellite telephony
Rugged construction - IP54/IK03 standards (dust protected, splash-water resistant, shock proof)
2 inch outdoor colour display
Glare-resistant display with high contrast menu - for easy readability in direct sunlight
Battery-saving technology - Brightness Sensor for the display to reduce battery consumption
Perfectly balanced size-to-weight ratio
Compact size - 128 x 53 x 26.5mm (h x w x d)
User-friendly menu structure with fast access to functions
GmPRS-enabled
GPS functionality for waypoint navigation
Long battery life - up to 6 hours talk-time/up to 80 hours standby-time*
Messaging via SMS, e-mail and fax
Organizer including calendar and alarm functions

*Depends on phone usage

Source: Thuraya

BGAN helps to fix eye's

2009-08-20T02:07:00.000-07:00

The shell of an essential eye clinic which will serve 200,000 Tanzanians was built by volunteers from the US, who sent daily progress reports via BGAN.

Around 35 volunteers from the Atonement Lutheran Church in Kansas City travelled to Mwanza, Eastern Tanzania, to construct the clinic structure as part of a project being coordinated by International Health Partner TZ-US organisation.
The volunteers supplied many of the building materials themselves and worked in an area where mobile broadband proved extremely useful for keeping in touch.

Blogs and photos were sent via a Thrane & Thrane BGAN terminal.
Charles Powell, a physician and church member who travelled with the group, says the BGAN service was a useful asset. He would take a BGAN terminal on another such trip as it was ideal for emergency use when local services are unavailable.
"We found the service to be reliable, in distinct contrast to the wireless service available locally. For our purposes, this was a definite advantage," he said.

"Although we were located near a metropolitan area the system could have worked equally well in remote regions. Data exchange rates were acceptable and we were able to share our connection by using a simple wireless access point," said Charles.
"This allowed me to upload and download email to my Blackberry device whenever the satellite link was running and I was able to exchange daily updates from the hostel we were staying, while another church member kept the blog updated with very little difficulty."

These updates recorded the setting up of a makeshift eye clinic in an existing facility next door where the volunteers' resident doctor saw around 30 local patients a day.

Source: Inmarsat

BBC beaming live video

2009-08-05T02:44:00.000-07:00

Live news reports are being beamed from the deck of the sailing barque Europa as it competes in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009. BBC Northern Ireland reporter Julian Fowler is sending video reports, blogs and tweets from the 56-metre vessel using a FleetBroadband Sailor 500 terminal.

The Atlantic challenge from Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada to Belfast, Northern Ireland, is the final leg of the Tall Ships Races involving 30 sailing ships of various sizes, which is described by the organisers, Sail Training International, as a "spectacular odyssey" around the North Atlantic covering more than 7,000 nautical miles.

Julian joined the crew for the final leg on board Europa as the vessel headed for Belfast. His updates on Twitter also tell of conditions at sea. "Less than 1,000 miles from home. Fog and rain. Force 8 gale tonight. Battening down the hatches. More dramatic footage in store!" tweeted Julian on 2 August.

Source: Inmarsat

Bankruptcy Proceedings Unrelated to Iridium Satellite LLC

2009-08-04T03:21:00.000-07:00

Iridium News Alert:

"From time to time we receive inquiries regarding legal notices and media reports relating to bankruptcy proceedings of companies bearing the Iridium name. A recent example is a Chapter 11 bankruptcy liquidation plan filed by Iridium Operations LLC, a subsidiary of Iridium LLC (U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, Chapter 11 Case No. 99-45005 (JMP)). Please note that neither of these companies has a business relationship with our company, Iridium Satellite LLC. So, it is important to know that this liquidation notice has no bearing on our business whatsoever. We also want to assure you that Iridium Satellite – with whom you do business today – is thriving.

By way of background, Motorola formed a number of entities in the 1990s that bear the name Iridium in some form or another. These entities include Iridium LLC, Iridium Operating LLC, Iridium IP LLC, Iridium Capital Corp., Iridium Roaming LLC, Iridium (Potomac) LLC, and Iridium Promotions LLC among others. While ten years have lapsed since the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings relating to these companies, many remain active cases. While the proceedings will eventually end, until then, you may continue to hear information about Iridium companies in bankruptcy. Most importantly we want you to know that while they bear the Iridium name, these companies are completely separate from, and not related to, our company either by ownership or through business relationships. And, since our company is not related to these entities, we are not involved in or apprised of the continuing activities related to the bankruptcy proceedings.

We appreciate that legal notices and media coverage about this can be confusing but want to assure you that these proceedings in no way are related to Iridium Satellite or otherwise affect our relationships with you or our growing business."

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Line of Sight

2009-08-03T03:49:00.000-07:00

When talking about or finding out about satellite phones, you may often hear the term "line of sight". What does this mean?

Satellite phones need a clear line of sight view of the satellite. Performance can also be affected by poor weather and use is generally restricted to outdoors (though they will sometimes work through glass or canvas). For Iridium, this means the phone (or at least the phone's antenna) must be outside with a reasonably unobstructed view of most of the sky. Iridium phones use a non-directional antenna - which means it does not have to be pointed in any particular direction.

For Inmarsat (iSatPhone), which uses geostationary satellites, the phone's antenna should point towards the satellite with an unobstructed view. The antenna must be outside. The set up procedure is very simple and can be accomplished in seconds with ease. Both types of satellite phones can be supplied with long antenna cable extensions to allow the hand set to be operated inside a building, and for vehicle or maritime use.

USA Department of Homeland Security uses Iridium

2009-07-28T01:54:00.000-07:00

The USA Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Detention and Removal (DRO) has selected Iridium-based vehicle tracking and mobile resource management systems for deployment under a major initiative to optimize efficiency.

The tracking equipment and hosted Web software will improve asset readiness, enhance mission effectiveness, reduce fleet costs and coordinate compliance with Federal Property Management Regulations (FPMR). DRO is installing in its vehicles a GPS tracking device, which transmits position, direction and speed and other telematic data for user-specified events and reporting. DRO promotes public safety and national security by ensuring the departure of all removable aliens from the U.S. through the fair and effective enforcement of the nation's immigration laws.

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Student scientists tweet with BGan

2009-07-23T01:33:00.000-07:00

Student scientists in Siberia are using BGAN to keep the world up to date about their daily research.

The Polaris Project at the Northeast Science Station in Siberia is a US-Russian initiative that enables a team of scientists to conduct field courses to enhance undergraduates' research into climate change.

Through blogging and tweeting, the latest group of undergraduates and their tutors - resident scientists from various institutions - are finding contact with the outside world much easier this year, thanks to BGAN connectivity.

Hightlighted on Twitter
A blog entitled BGAN from a barge - also highlighted on Twitter - was sent by ecologist Andy Bunn from a boat located in Cherskiy on the banks of the River Kolyma in northern Siberia.

You can follow their 'tweets' here.

Source: Inmarsat

Iridium and Boeing team up

2009-07-21T00:58:00.000-07:00

Iridium and Boeing have achieved two major milestones to further develop and demonstrate capability enhancements to the High Integrity Global Positioning System (GPS) program for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.

The first milestone, completion of an Enhanced Narrowband (ENB) software modification to computers on Iridium satellites, enables second-generation GPS-aiding signals to be broadcast through the entire Iridium constellation. These broadcasts will enable rapid, more accurate GPS position fixes than are available with current technology. The GPS-aiding signals will provide appropriately equipped warfighters significantly improved capabilities for quickly locking on and maintaining a GPS signal, even while operating in restrictive environments such as urban areas, forests, mountains and canyons, as well as under enemy jamming attempts or amid battlefield radio frequency noise.

The second milestone was a demonstration of the acquisition of a GPS signal under substantial jamming while moving in a vehicle.
"When a military GPS receiver is jammed, it cannot obtain a position fix, and movement only makes the situation worse," said David Whelan, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems chief scientist. "Even from a cold start, it took only minutes for the High Integrity GPS-aided receiver, in a moving vehicle, to receive the GPS signal while being jammed. Without assistance from the High Integrity GPS system, a position fix would never have been obtained."

The team includes Iridium, Boeing Phantom Works' Advanced Network and Space Systems, Rockwell Collins, Coherent Navigation and experts from academia.

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

First European operator to install FB150

2009-07-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

A German coastal vessel, Saxum, has become the first ship in Europe to switch to Inmarsat's new FleetBroadband 150 service.

The Saxum was fitted with a Thrane & Thrane Sailor 150 FleetBroadband system when it arrived at a stopover in its home port of Leer in Germany.

News about the installation comes just days after the Miclyn Enterprise became the first vessel in the world to adopt the service.

Return on investment
Piers Cunningham said "I believe that we will receive a return on our investment in less than 12 months."
Later this month, Briese Schiffahrt will fit an FB150 to one of its container ships -the Langeness.

Source: Inmarsat

FleetBroadband Sailer 250

2009-07-17T01:48:00.000-07:00

SAILOR 250 FleetBroadband offers affordable, reliable IP communications for all types of small to medium size vessels. It provides constant access to simultaneous voice and high-speed data services, delivered through a compact, robust antenna.

FleetBroadband 150

2009-07-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

"It took just 15 minutes for installation of the Thrane & Thrane Sailor 150 FleetBroadband system onboard the multi-purpose offshore support vessel, at the Jalan Brigjen Katamso shipyard in Batam, Indonesia.
The FB150 service, which is engineered for small and medium-sized fishing, merchant and leisure craft, gives vessels access to the internet at up to 150 kbps and also high quality voice calls and SMS."

"FleetBroadband will enable our crew onboard to have access to emails at faster speed and lower cost. This will improve efficiency in communication with our offices worldwide."

Source: Inmarsat

Emergency Communication

2009-07-13T01:53:00.000-07:00

"Shortly after the World Trade Towers were struck, [the phone company] lost all service from their West Street Central switching office. My cell phone was essentially useless, as was our land line home line. I walked out to a clear area on our street and turned on my Iridium handset. It quickly responded with 'Registered' and the signal came up. It meant more than I can say to have that call go through at that moment. I can carry my Iridium handset regardless of how short a trip may be. Your service is an indispensable communications tool."
-Gerals Anzano, ING Asset Management.

When disasters hit such has floods, hurricanes or even terrorist attacks one needs to take into account that the usual communication equipment may not be in working order. Governments need to be more aware of the need for reliable, global and even portable communications systems. Iridium offers a range of products for first responders in these situations.

The products can handle different applications such as Fixed or Mobile communications, asset tracking, short message service (SMS), E-mail and so on.
The equipment used to cover the above can range from handheld portable phones, docking stations, vehicular mount antennas, solare chargers and so on.

Finally all of the above brings on various benefits:

Global Coverage - the only system that works everywhere in the world

Quick setup and rapid deployment

Calls transit inter-satellite links meaning less reliance on ground infrastructure

Iridium to Iridium calls go directly from satellite phone to satellite phone, never relying on ground transport

Instantly available when relief workers first arrive on site.

Real-time tracking and communications with critical assets

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Iridium Openport Video

2009-07-13T00:34:00.000-07:00

"Around The Americas" Sailing Expedition

2009-07-09T04:15:00.000-07:00

Iridium Press Release -

Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) will be providing satellite communication equipment and services for the “Around the Americas” sailing expedition, which got underway from Seattle on May 31, 2009. An Iridium OpenPort® high-bandwidth marine satcom system has been installed on the expedition’s 64-foot steel-hull sailboat, Ocean Watch. The system is providing voice and high-speed data connections throughout the 13-month, 25,000-mile circumnavigation of the North and South American continents.

Around the Americas is a research expedition that will collect scientific data and test new methods and equipment – all to raise awareness of the precipitous changes that are occurring in the earth’s oceans and to promote solutions to mitigate those changes.

Ten scientists from the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory (UW-APL), the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO), RMR Co., MIT Sea Grant, NASA and Western Washington University have placed a diverse suite of instruments onboard Ocean Watch to monitor polar science, weather, jellyfish populations and solar-energy reflection, among other conservation projects.

“Since Iridium is the only service that can provide voice and data coverage throughout our entire voyage, Iridium OpenPort will serve as our primary communication device and critical lifeline to the outside world,” said Around the Americas expedition leader Mark Schrader. “This high-performance system will give us access to enhanced-bandwidth satellite voice and data links between ship and shore during the course of our voyage/expedition. The Iridium OpenPort terminal will enable us to transmit reports, blogs and images to the thousands of people who will follow our voyage on the Internet, as well as speak to our families during this long journey.”

Greg Ewert, Iridium’s executive vice president, Global Distribution Channels, said, “Iridium OpenPort is a breakthrough product for the maritime market, as it is the only truly global high-bandwidth mobile satellite system. The Iridium OpenPort system has gone through a rigorous testing program, both onshore and afloat on a variety of platforms. As a result, it has a robust, proven system that operates reliably in the marine environment, even on smaller vessels with high-dynamic rolling and pitching motions.”

Ocean Watch will sail around the American continents in a clockwise direction, transiting the Northwest Passage, sailing down the East Coast, around Cape Horn, and back up the West Coast, returning to Seattle in July 2010. Notably, this will be one of the first times a sailboat has navigated through the Northwest Passage from west to east.

Over the course of the voyage, Ocean Watch will visit 30 ports in 11 countries where the crew will host media events and educational programs for local schools to educate citizens about issues affecting conservation of the earth’s oceans. A real-time map of the voyage can be found at www.aroundtheamericas.org, as can information on Ocean Watch, the crew, the expedition’s partners and more.

The Iridium OpenPort terminal has three independent phone circuits and a separate high-speed data port with scalable rates of 9.6 to 128 kbps. The lightweight, omni-directional antenna array is about the size of a typical small boat radar radome. It contains no moving parts, which greatly reduces cabling, installation and maintenance costs.

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Streaming video at a low cost

2009-07-07T02:37:00.000-07:00

I have spoken about the streambox in one of my first posts. Streambox allows you to stream video via satellite at a much cheaper price due to the video being compressed or only sending what needs to be sent across therefore only needing to use slower Internet connections. If you combine this technology with the BGan unit then you have a very strong combination.

“With a compact and rugged design, advanced video compression, and ability to transport high-quality pictures over a variety of low-bandwidth IP networks, the Streambox solution gives our newsgathering staff much greater flexibility in delivering live coverage from around the globe. Using this flexible, yet powerful kit, our first response teams will be able to get set up quickly and transmit better-quality pictures, faster than before, as events unfold.”

— BEVAN GIBSON
Technology Executive
Sky News, British Sky Broadcasting

View the review of the SBT-9500 encoder

Iridium 9601 SBD Modem

2009-07-07T02:20:00.000-07:00

This is a small satellite modem designed for embedded applications. Easily integrates into a wide variety of applications that require remote access. Ideal for monitoring, alarms, and tracking. Includes RS 232 serial interface and optional developer kit. Low latency for delivery. Available to registered Iridium partners.

Features:
Small form factor
RS 232 Serial interface
Global coverage
340 bytes per message
SMA Antenna Connector to connect to small omni directional L-band antennas
Simple AT Command interface

Specifications:
Length: 106.4mm
Width: 56.2mm
Height: 13mm
Weight: 117g
Operating temperature range: -30 C to +60 C

More info

Iridium Executive Appointed Multiple Leadership Posts

2009-07-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

Iridium Press Release:

Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) announces that Donna Bethea-Murphy, vice president of Regulatory Engineering for Iridium, was elected chairman of the board of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA), the leading trade association for the satellite industry. Bethea-Murphy already serves as a board member of the Mobile Satellite Users Association (MSUA), a trade association advancing the interests of the mobile satellite industry, and was recently appointed as vice chair of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) World Radiocommunication Conference Industry Advisory Group 3.

“Iridium’s strong regulatory position in the U.S. and internationally significantly contributes to our ability to meet our customers’ needs,” said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium. “Donna leads our regulatory and policy efforts at the FCC, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other key forums. In this new leadership position within the SIA, she can play a key role in shaping national legislation and policymaking that not only supports the goals of Iridium but of the entire satellite industry.”

Prior to joining Iridium, Bethea-Murphy was senior director of Spectrum Policy at PanAmSat Corporation. Before that, she served as director of Technology and Regulatory Affairs for AirTouch Communications, and has held key positions at the FCC with responsibility for domestic and international satellite and terrestrial wireless policy.

Source: Iridium

Tweet Tweet

2009-07-03T02:08:00.000-07:00

More and more people are starting to use Twitter which is a micro blogging social networking platform. According to Inmarsat, users of BGan are starting to 'Tweet' from remote locations on some interesting topics ranging from US troops in Afghanistan to hikers in the Amazon jungle.

"CNN's Mike Boettcher and his son Carlos are embedded reporters with US troops in Afghanistan - both are sending short messages on Twitter to support blogs and other reports."

"From the depths of the Amazon jungle, to the highest paved road in North America, BGAN also supported the tweeting of Dan Terdiman on his latest road trip."

Twitter users are also comparing notes about BGAN and the applications from partners it supports. And you can now catch up on the latest tweets from Inmarsat on Twitter too.

Sources: Inmarsat on Twitter, CNN's Mike Boettcher on Twitter, Amazon Walkers on Twitter.

Inmarsat turning 30

2009-07-02T02:35:00.000-07:00

On 16 July 1979, Inmarsat was created by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure mariners had reliable communications at sea, we have been recognised internationally as pioneers.

They introduced their first land mobile services in 1989, followed by aeronautical services in 1990. The same year they launched the first of their own satellites, now part of an 11-strong fleet.

Always connected
Today their mobile broadband voice and data services, delivered globally over their latest-generation I-4 satellites, allow you to stay always connected, wherever you are on land, at sea or in the air.

And Inmarsat continue to be innovators, looking ahead to the launch of our Alphasat I-XL satellite, currently expected in 2012, and beyond to the next generation of Inmarsat satellites, the I-5s.

Source: Inmarsat

More about Satellite Phones

2009-07-01T02:19:00.000-07:00

Land-line phones have many limitations. You need to attach it to a line installation, you can’t take it with you when you leave your house. This is the reason why we all embraced the introduction of mobile phones. They allow a wide range of mobile use in many parts of the world.
Most people think that cell phone coverage is pretty good in most areas of the world but certain portions of the Earth remain to be inaccessible by cell phone transmitting stations. Good thing there are satellite phones that can provide absolute worldwide coverage.

A satellite phone is very much the same as the mobile phone. The difference is that instead of cell land stations, satellite phones are linked to a satellite that is orbiting in space. The coverage provided by a satellite phone depends on the server network to which it is connected. Some networks have global coverage while others revolve around a specific region only.

Iridium network has a constellation of 66 satellites. It has a more expansive coverage than any other satellite network. Iridium satellite started operation in 1998.

There is also the Inmarsat Satellite Phone Service that commenced operation in 1979. It has an excellent coverage of the entire planet however with exceptions of the North and South Pole areas.

The Thuraya Satellite Phone Service is the baby of all phone satellite systems in the sense that it was established only in 2001. It has limited coverage mostly of Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

Satellite phone models are very similar to cell phones. The first of its kind models were bigger and heavier but in time they evolved to be as handy as your latest cell phone model. Nowadays there are satellite phones being sold at very affordable prices.

Inmarsat space initiative

2009-06-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

A joint government and industry initiative that aims to shape the future success of the UK space industry was launched at Inmarsat's headquarters in London (25 June).
An expert group, the Space Innovation Growth Team (IGT), has been formed from among the UK's leading companies, institutions and government departments involved in the sector to conduct an ambitious six-month review.
The Space IGT was unveiled at a joint event held at Inmarsat's HQ by UK science minister Lord Drayson, IGT chairman and chief executive of Logica Andy Green, and Inmarsat chief operating officer Perry Melton.

Initial report
The group is tasked with creating a 20-year strategy for the industry - and has until the end of 2009 to prepare an initial report for the UK government outlining the steps needed to build Britain's leadership in space.
It will seek views from the entire space industry, and industries such as entertainment, navigation and climate change that rely on space technology. It will set out the challenges and opportunities that govern future value creation, competitiveness and growth in the space sector.
The Space IGT will draw on leadership experience from some of Britain's top space companies, including Inmarsat. It will identify the future innovation, technology and investment priorities for the sector and other enablers of growth.

Source: Inmarsat

Career path
The group will also seek to create a "space aware" culture in the UK, with a space career path being defined for students wishing to enter the sector.
And it will consider how to ensure that government policy is better aligned to meet the future needs of the industry.

Lord Drayson said: "The space industry makes a significant contribution to our economy and we need to make sure that we do all we can to ensure it remains globally competitive.
"Space inspires our young people to get involved with science and the strategy will look at how to make our society more space aware and how to help the next generation of engineers, scientists and even lawyers to get involved in space."

Double-digit growth
Andy Green added: "Space is one of the few sectors in the UK economy that is enjoying almost double-digit growth and has the potential to do so for decades to come.
"We will set out ways to help the sector on its upwards trajectory, by ensuring that Britain has the necessary skills and policy framework, and a climate that fosters innovation."
Inmarsat's chief operating officer, Perry Melton, said: "Inmarsat is about to celebrate its 30th birthday. We started out as an intergovernmental organisation and now we are among the top FTSE 100 companies.

Talent pool
"In the course of that time, the investment in the UK and European space industries has been fundamental for our business."
Perry recounted how, 20 years ago, Inmarsat's owners considered moving to another country.
"The decision to stay here in the UK was driven by the talent pool in the UK and Europe, as well as the wide supplier base, including consultancy, satellite manufacturers and ground infrastructure manufacturers," he said.
"They provided the foundation for Inmarsat's decision to stay in the UK long term -because of the weight of the British space industry."

Conservationist uses BGan

2009-06-24T02:03:00.000-07:00

A leading conservationist who has devoted his life to saving the orangutan is keeping in touch with the world from his rescue centre in the Indonesian jungle - thanks to BGAN.

Inmarsat has supplied Willie Smits with a Thrane & Thrane Explorer 700 terminal for when he is based at his remote orangutan rehabilitation centre in North Sulawesi.
The forestry scientist, originally from The Netherlands, has lived in Indonesia for 30 years but frequently carries out speaking tours to spread his message of conservation through helping local communities.

'Great combination'
He said of Inmarsat's mobile satellite broadband service: "In combination with my toughbook computer, this is a great combination for the field.
"To be able to spend time in the forest and still keep up with my many contacts - I can't express how much this means for me."
The Sumatran rehabilitation centre is home to some 200 rescued orangutans at any one time as they are prepared for release back into the wild.

Forest clearance
The animals, which once ranged throughout South-east Asia, have lost much of their natural habitat to the increasing human population and forest clearance for farming and fuel and now only live in the wild on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. IUCN (the World Conservation Union) lists them as critically endangered.
Through his Masarang Foundation, Willie raises money and awareness to restore habitats, by helping local people find options other than the short-term fix of harvesting forests to survive.
In 2007, Masarang opened a palm-sugar factory that uses thermal energy to turn sugar palms (fast-growing trees that thrive in degraded soils) into sugar and ethanol.

Source: Inmarsat, Masarang Foundation

New Satcomm Pro

2009-06-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

Award Granted for Iridium OpenPort

2009-06-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) and Cambridge Consultants are proud to announce that Global Telecoms Business (GTB) magazine has awarded its prestigious 2009 GTB Innovation Award to the two companies for excellence in the Wireless Network Infrastructure Innovation category. The award recognizes the groundbreaking Iridium OpenPort® system, which is the world's first and only global high-speed voice and data service for the maritime market.

With its small footprint and light weight, the Iridium OpenPort omni-directional antenna array can be quickly installed in any convenient location on deck. It does not require a stabilization platform and is virtually maintenance free. With no moving parts, the array reduces the risk of failure or downtime and lowers the total cost of operations. Iridium OpenPort delivers up to three phone lines for simultaneous use and features always-on data with speeds up to 128 kbps - on an all-IP backbone.

"We are delighted to be recognized as a world leader in wireless innovation along with our partners at Cambridge Consultants," said Matt Desch, chief executive officer of Iridium. "It reflects the innovation behind Iridium OpenPort as it delivers a total maritime communications solution, providing a reliable link for anyone operating in one of the world's most unpredictable environments. It also reflects the hard work and dedication of our key design and development partner, Cambridge Consultants, who worked with us to develop this truly differentiating product."

Organized annually by GTB, the Innovation Awards are designed to honor innovative projects involving telecoms operators and service providers around the world, in association with their vendors and suppliers. Iridium and Cambridge Consultants joined 300 other telecommunication industry leaders from around the world at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in London, U.K. on June 16, 2009. Keynote speakers at the event included: Holly Kramer of Telstra, Dr. Saad Al-Barrak of Zain, and Nick Jeffery of Vodafone Global Enterprise. The ceremony was sponsored by Juniper Networks and Hewlett-Packard.

Source: Iridium

BGan Launchpad Software Guide

2009-06-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

Iridium Moves Toward Full Certification for Air Safety Communication on Transoceanic Flights

2009-06-17T01:56:00.000-07:00

'Iridium recently passed an important milestone toward international certification for air safety communication services for commercial aircraft on transoceanic routes. In April 2009, the Program Management Committee (PMC) of the RTCA (formerly known as the Radio-Technical Commission for Aeronautics) approved two key documents – DO-262 and DO-270 – establishing operational and system-specific performance standards for Iridium Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services (AMS(R)S).

The next step will be an in-service operational evaluation of Iridium datalink systems installed in nine Continental Airlines B737 aircraft in the South Pacific region. The tests, which are expected to commence in August, will be conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Performance-Based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s (PARC) Communications Working Group (CWG), with ACARS over Iridium (AOI) datalink services provided by SITA. The FAA has granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Iridium-based satLINK™ avionics suite supplied by Avionica, Inc. from Miami, Fla. Participants of the South Pacific regional evaluations will share the results with air traffic control authorities in other service regions, clearing the way for rapid approval of Iridium AMS(R)S services around the world.'

Source: Iridium

Iridium 9555 Gets Favourable Review

2009-06-12T03:55:00.000-07:00

While on travel recently, Group Editor-in-Chief, Rich Tehrani of TMC.Net puts the Iridium 9555 satellite phone through its paces and gives it a favourable review.

Iridium 9555 Review

Having never had a chance to write a review about a satellite phone I was pretty motivated to respond yes to the good people at Iridium when they asked if I wanted to run their newest device the 9555 phone through its paces. In order to do a thorough review I took it with me on my travels and made calls in various places where there was typically no cell coverage.

The device itself won't get mistaken for an iPhone - it is many times thicker and has a smaller black and white screen. But what it does do better than any gadget you might read about on popular gadget sites is work everywhere - except indoors. It is a bulletproof device which was designed with users in mind. Iridium execs explain that reliability is key with this phone and so is durability.

It seems like it is made of the same material as the black box on an airplane.
It is also interesting to note that when a company is sure about their market they can really cater to it. The evidence is the company's terminology in their brochure: THE ULTIMATE SATELLITE PHONE.

The Iridium 9555 is the ultimate in dependable mobile communications. It is a ruggedly built tool, not a toy. It won't play games, take pictures, or play MP3s. What it will do is work. Everywhere. Without exception. Small, sleek and easy to use, it is waterproof and dust and shock resistant. Engineered to withstand the world's toughest environments, Iridium phones have never been more efficient, reliable and effective.

When you open the box the phone comes in you are presented with adapters for every country in the world and just trying to figure out which would work in Sardinia presented me with a challenge. Hint - it was of the two-prong variety.

Source: TMCnet

So is it easy to use? Dead easy, yes. I was impressed with the call quality and it even worked when I went indoors - as long as there wasn't a lot of steel over my head. There is also data modem connectivity I didn't get a chance to try.
Other than that there are the standard mobile phone features like SMS, voicemail, address books, etc.
As you might expect, Iridium hasn't launched an app store but one wonders if there isn't an opportunity for specialized applications pertaining to the markets they cater to such as military, oil and gas, etc.

If I had to ask for more features, a camera would be high on my list as sending MMS messages from remote locations back to the home office could be useful. Video too is another area the company will have to deal with eventually as there may be an opportunity to stream video or send clips in places only this device has connectivity.

Other than that, the Iridium 9555 just plain works. It's looks won't make you the envy of the patrons of your favorite bar or dance club but you will certainly be the popular one later that evening when the party moves to a place with poor or no cell phone reception.

The opinions and views expressed in comments, blogs, etc. are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of TMC, TMCnet, or its editors.

Source: TMCnet

Thuraya NettedComms

2009-06-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

What is Thuraya NettedComms?

Thuraya NettedComms is a solution that incorporates Thuraya satellite phones, GSM, UHF/Microwave/Wi-Fi Radio technology and uses technologies ranging from simple analogue voice to leading edge Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIP). This flexibility ensures the solution is fit for its purpose, uses the best
infrastructure available and is always simple to use. The essence of Thuraya NettedComms is the ability to deliver an open conference platform where everyone can talk and everyone can listen. Thuraya NettedComms, can help build open conferencing for the following industries:

• Emergency services
• Disaster management
• Oil and Gas exploration
• Health
• Media
• NGOs
• Logistics

Key Benefits of Thuraya NettedComms

• Talk to Pre-Defined Users: Thuraya NettedComms is a
unique solution that enables you to talk instantly to a
pre-defined group of users with a single press of a button.
• Flexible Modular Solution: using leading edge Voice over
Internet Protocols, Thuraya NettedComms provides a
flexible solution that is modular and easily deployed over
fixed or satellite networks.
• Ethernet Based: requiring only a single Ethernet port per
user and has a high level of built-in and network resilience.
• Highly Cost Effective. A solution that is scalable to
thousands of users.

Source: Thuraya

Iridium Awarded U.S Navy Contract

2009-06-10T03:56:00.000-07:00

Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) announces that the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren has awarded one of its subsidiaries a $21,688,808 indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity cost-type contract to support development and delivery of the Distributed Tactical Communications System (DTCS). DTCS is an extension of “Netted Iridium,” the company’s push-to-talk communications capability. DTCS will provide over-the-horizon, on-the-move, beyond line-of-sight netted voice and data communications over the Iridium network for the tactical warfighter.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been testing Phase One Netted technologies since 2006. The Navy awarded Iridium the five-year contract on June 4, 2009, marking “Phase Two” of Netted technologies development. The DTCS team also includes ITT Corporation and The Boeing Company. ITT Corporation is leading the effort to design, develop and produce the DTCS tactical radio, along with design, development and installation of the DTCS ground-based management system. The Boeing Company is updating software for the Iridium satellite fleet, as well as performing systems integration and testing.

“Iridium is pleased that, after extensive end-user evaluations of the Netted Iridium platform with hundreds of warfighters using it in diverse and austere environments, our DoD customers found DTCS to be valuable enough to warrant the next phase of development,” said retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John Campbell, executive vice president, Government Programs, Iridium. “We understand there is an unfulfilled need to provide mission-critical, tactical comms-on-the-move, and we are proud to join our industry and government partners to provide this capability for our warfighters. As the single truly global mobile satellite services (MSS) provider, only Iridium can provide a netted solution anywhere in the world.”

The DoD also selected DTCS as the number two candidate for a 2009 Joint Concept Technology Demonstration, further indicating its strong interest in the service.
“Since Desert Storm, we’ve had an unsatisfied requirement for C2 OTM (command and control on-the-move) and no material solution to date has had such great potential in filling that requirement across such a broad spectrum as Netted Iridium does,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Bowman, U.S. Central Command J-6. “In my opinion, Netted Iridium will be the most significant tactical communications improvement developed and fielded during the global war on terror.”

DTCS development has proceeded in two phases. Iridium and the DoD developed Phase One under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between industry and the Navy. Funded by industry, it provided a capability used for concept-based experimentation by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico, Va. It proved that Iridium could enhance its satellite network to support a multicast architecture for tactical, netted voice and data communications. In Phase Two, Iridium will enhance its satellite network further with on-orbit software upgrades in addition to making ground infrastructure enhancements. These changes will expand the footprint of the DTCS communication “nets” and significantly increase the number of nets available to the DoD. In addition, the DTCS program will include development of a ruggedized Iridium tactical radio to further meet the needs of warfighters in the environments they face. Early prototypes and initial production devices have garnered positive feedback from warfighters in theater today.

Source: Iridium Press Release

Consumers vote Inmarsat most innovative company in UK

2009-06-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

05-06-2009 - Inmarsat has the best reputation for innovation in the UK and is one of the ten most reputable public companies in the country, according to a major survey among consumers.

The Reputation Institute Consultancy's survey of 5,000 adults in the United Kingdom asked respondents to vote on the leading 140 companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange, as part of its Global Reputation Pulse 2009 Study.

Inmarsat came top in the category for innovation - one of seven categories - which recognises a company for making or selling innovative products or innovating in the way it does business.

Unique capabilities
Inmarsat chairman and CEO Andy Sukawaty said: "This is a recognition of the unique capabilities and excellent market perception of Inmarsat.

"As a pioneer of mobile satellite services, the survey acknowledges our leadership position in the industry and specifically the success of the Inmarsat business in delivering innovative services with a reputation for reliability and quality.

"As we approach our 30th anniversary, the survey result reflects the many years of hard work by many people around the world, and we should be rightly proud."

The Global Reputation Pulse 2009 Study was conducted online during January and February. Scores were calculated by averaging perceptions of four indicators - trust, esteem, admiration and good feeling.

Source: Inmarsat

Feature in Popular Mechanics

2009-06-04T01:48:00.000-07:00

Is anybody out there?

The last thing you need when stranded mid-ocean or halfway up a mountain is to lose touch. The Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone is not a fancy handset - it doesn't take pictures or play games - but if you're looking for a rugged communication tool that always works, no matter how rough the environment, it's the way to go. Water-, shock- and dust-resistant it features a retractable antenna that gives you gap-free coverage of the entire planet. Because voice and data are routed among satellites, the connection is both secure and reliable. The menu-driven interface makes it user-friendly for first-time users, as does the illuminated weather-resistant keypad. It can be programmed for automatic dialling. Other features include a speakerphone, SMS and e-mail capability, and a Mini-USB data port. Contact Satellite Communication on 011-402 1166 or visit www.satcomms.co.za

Source: Popular Mechanics Magazine June 2009

You Need a Satellite Phone

2009-06-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

When you travel to remote areas, cellphone and normal telephone line coverage is either non-existent or very poor.

Iridium phones have global coverage. All you need is line of sight to the sky and you will pick up one of the 66 Iridium satellites orbiting above.

These phones have been used extensively on land, at sea, in the air, in the middle of disaster areas (such as Hurricane Katrina), by the military and of course by holiday adventurers.

Iridium phones also offer Internet connectivity. So when you are in the middle of nowhere and you need an Internet connection there is no need for an Internet cafe. Your Iridium phone will connect you.

If you frequently find yourself out of phone coverage, then you need a satellite phone to stay in touch

Inmarsat in Volvo Ocean Race

2009-06-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

An interesting article on how Inmarsat is helping out at the Volvo Ocean Race:

01-06-2009 - Rick Deppe is leading the charge to win the first overall Inmarsat Media Prize after filming dramatic footage in the Atlantic leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The videographer captured the tense moments when a rudder broke on the Puma's il mostro yacht and a crew member had to be lowered over the side on ropes to install a replacement.

The footage, relayed via Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service, together with other pictures of dolphins swimming alongside the yacht, led to Rick scooping the Inmarsat media prize for the seventh leg of the race.

Favourite for prize
He was presented with a trophy and 1,000 Euro prize (US$1,423) to the cheers of the rest il mostro's crew at a ceremony in Galway, Eire.
Rick has now won the media prize for three legs of the race - ahead of other media crew members Gustav Moran of Ericsson 3, who has won two, and Guy Salter on Ericsson 4 and Gabriel Olivo on Telefonica Blue, who have each won one.
With four legs to go he's now looks a favourite to scoop the final 10,000 Euro prize (US$14,229) purse for the onboard crew member who produces the best video, photos and written reports.

Global audience
Inmarsat - the official sponsor of satellite communications for the Volvo Ocean Race - is funding a total prize purse of 20,000 Euro (US$28,450).
It comprises of a series of 1,000 Euro awards for the various legs of the race, plus the final 10,000 Euro prize for the overall winner, which will be awarded in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

Rick was presented with his trophy and the1,000 Euro prize by Inmarsat's external communications manager John Warehand who said: "Jarring slams, resounding crunches, lost rudders, wipe-outs, torn sails and tactical frustration - the Atlantic was almost too small for the human experience on the leg to Galway.

"Each change and challenge has been mirrored by the media crew members, who have helped to build a global audience of almost 2 billion."

The next phase of the 37,000-mile nine-month race will be a short 1,250-nautical-mile sprint from Galway to Marstrand, Sweden, starting on 14 June.

Source: Volvo Ocean Race, Inmarsat

Iridium 9555 Antenna

2009-06-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

If you are using the new Iridium 9555 then you will have noticed how fantastic the new antenna is. Much smaller than the previous version. More information about the antenna below:

Sarantel develops and manufactures advanced miniature filtering antennas for mobile, wireless and handheld devices. Iridium is a pioneer in the satellite communications industry and is the only mobile satellite services (MSS) company offering truly global, pole-to-pole coverage.

The Iridium 9555 represents a dramatic step forward in innovation and usability for handsets in the MSS sector. Users will benefit from a host of innovative features, such as a brighter screen, a speaker phone, short messaging service (SMS) and email capabilities, an upgraded mini-USB data port, an internal antenna and significantly reduced form factor. It is also programmable in 14 languages.

"The ability of Iridium to reduce the antenna size, without sacrificing performance, was a critical design element for this revolutionary new handset," said David Schoen, chief technology officer, Iridium. "Sarantel responded to our challenge by providing Iridium with a highly innovative, technically advanced design for the 9555 antenna. They proved to be a superb technology partner, producing a creative, cost-effective and performance-driven solution."

Source: WirelessWorkForceOnline

BGan on Everest

2009-05-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

If you ever intend going up Mount Everest then you may want to broadcast it to the world. The Inmarsat BGan makes this easy.

The 'Born out there' Everest expedition have been using this technology with great effect and posting their videos to YouTube. See their blog for information, pictures that will make you go 'wow', and of course YouTube videos that are crisp clear.

Test Your Satellite Phone Week

2009-05-26T01:57:00.001-07:00

Iridium's Annual Test Your Satellite Phone launching May 25, 2009.

SatComm is pleased to participate in this important initiative and encourages satellite phone users to regularly test their satellite phones to ensure that they are ready to make that critical call.

To “Test Your Satellite Phone” call 0014807525105. Callers will hear a recorded message confirming that their call was completed and offering quick tips on proper handset usage. Iridium customers are not charged for the call. If you find that your phone is not operational contact us immediately.

Tips and techniques available for satellite phone use and testing are included, such as:

•Test your phone on a monthly basis.

• Keep your phone’s battery charged to ensure that it is ready for use when needed.

•For maximum battery performance, allow the battery to drain completely before fully recharging.

•Check to make sure that the phone’s SIM card is locked in place. Users can check this by removing the battery and ensuring that the SIM card tray is securely positioned.

•Use the phone outside with a clear view of the sky and the horizon.

•Turn the phone on and ensure that the antenna is extended and rotated upward.

Contact us today, we'll give you a great reception.

Arianespace to launch Alphasat I-XL for Inmarsat

2009-05-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

Inmarsat has chosen Arianespace to launch its new Alphasat I-XL communications satellite. This contract follows a partnership agreement between Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA) concerning the commercialization of the first mission to use the new European platform, Alphabus.

Planned for launch in 2012, Alphasat I-XL will be carried by an Ariane 5 ECA in from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The satellite will be built by Astrium using an Alphabus platform, and will weigh more than six metric tons at launch. The new-generation Alphasat I-XL will be positioned at 25 degrees East, and will join Inmarsat’s current satellite fleet of 11 geostationary satellites to offer advanced mobile voice and data communications services across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Its design life is 15 years.

Arianespace and Inmarsat have an established relationship reaching back to the launch of the first Inmarsat satellites. The British-based company has chosen Arianespace to launch five of its satellites.

Commenting on this latest contract, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “Just a few days after the magnificent launch of ESA’s two scientific satellite, Herschel and Planck, we are both proud and honored to once again be working with ESA on a project that supports the deployment of very powerful payloads. We would also like to thank Inmarsat for their loyalty to Arianespace over the last 28 years. This is the eighth contract we have signed in 2009 with the world’s leading operators, clear recognition of the quality and competitiveness of our launch Service & Solutions.”

Source: Arianspace

Iridium 9505A

2009-05-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

Below is a short clip of the Iridium 9505A being used during the Katrina disaster.

Source: Iridium

Endurance Runners use BGan

2009-05-19T01:23:00.000-07:00

"More than 200 runners are tackling one of the planet's most gruelling endurance races, with BGAN beaming news direct from the event in the world's oldest desert.

RacingThePlanet's 4 Desert series comes to Namibia on 17 May, for a seven-day, 155-mile (250 km) self-supported foot-race through the Namib desert.
A field of 214 from 38 countries is expected to participate, including a record number of past champions who will be vying for top places. Many will be raising money for local and international charities.

News cyber-tent
Competitors will have access to a cyber-tent, which will house 15 laptops for sending up-to-the-minute results, field updates, daily journals, video clips and pictures via BGAN to the race website and supporters around the world.
The event kicks off with a steep descent into the Fish River Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world.

Competitors will make their way through the African bush traversing lunar-like landscapes and some of the most demanding and challenging sand dunes in the world to finish at the Skeleton Coast.

This years RacingThePlanet has already visited Chile and events are also planned for the Gobi desert in China and the Sahara in Egypt."

Source: Inmarsat

Iridium Open Port

2009-05-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

Iridium reports that its new-generation global marine satellite communication system, Iridium OpenPort™, has successfully completed sea trials on a number of different vessels, and worldwide commercial rollout is now underway.

“The feedback from beta test platforms has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have a strong backlog of orders from shipowners who recognize the unique value proposition of Iridium OpenPort,” said Don Thoma, executive vice president, Marketing, Iridium. “In the current economic climate, shipowners are looking for ways to trim operating costs for ships at sea, and Iridium OpenPort offers a very cost-effective alternative to other broadband satellite systems in terms of hardware, installation and monthly usage costs,” Thoma added.

Thoma noted that Iridium OpenPort is the only truly global high-bandwidth marine satellite communication system, with coverage over 100 percent of the Earth’s surface, including Polar waters beyond the reach of geostationary satellites.
Frank Coles, President and CEO of Globe Wireless, an Iridium Service Provider, said, "We have conducted exhaustive testing of Iridium OpenPort systems, and we have successful tests on customer ships. The pilot testing we have done showed that the OpenPort system was capable of handing a large volume of data and provided quality voice services. We are now rolling out systems to our customer's ships, who are seeing significant reductions in voice and data costs."

“Iridium OpenPort is as easy to use as the Internet at home,” said Jérémie Béyou, skipper of Delta-Dore and Vendee Globe participant. “The greatest feature is that you can stay connected permanently without the need to re-start the modem and antenna every time you want to receive or send an e-mail. The connection speed is good and allows you to make phone calls while surfing the Internet, and the terminal is really easy to install.”

Introduced in mid-2008, Iridium OpenPort provides three independent phone lines and a separate scalable data circuit supporting speeds of 9.6 to 128 kilobytes per second. Data rates can easily be adjusted up or down without any modifications to hardware or software. The low-profile, lightweight antenna array does not require a stabilized pedestal and is therefore less costly to purchase, install and maintain.

Source: Iridium Press Release

Journalist relies on BGan

2009-05-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

'Photojournalist Chris Jackson, who was honoured for his part in helping to save the life of a US marine, regularly uses BGAN to transmit footage back from war zones.

Chris Jackson was embedded with 2nd Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in Afghanistan last August when the Humvee vehicle in which he was travelling hit 22kgs (50lbs) of explosives, severely injuring vehicle commander Sergeant Courtney Rauch.

Jackson was thrown out of the vehicle by the force of the blast. Despite suffering shrapnel wounds, he rushed back to the vehicle to pull Sgt Rauch out and carry him to safety.

Live broadcasts
He was rewarded with a Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the second highest award given to civilians by the navy.

Jackson has been reporting from war zones since soon after 9/11, and is expected to return to Afghanistan for another six-week embed.

He uses Panasonic and Sony cameras, edits footage using Final Cut Pro on a Mac laptop, and sends the package back to base via BGAN. For live broadcasts, he uses BGAN in conjunction with Streambox software. '

Source: Inmarsat

Voting via satellite

2009-05-11T04:47:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, South Africa, held elections. For some it's a quick process of voting, but for others it can take a while due to long queues. Brazil held its first electronic elections last year. They are in fact the first country in the world to implement fully electronic elections. How did they achieve such a feat? By using BGan technology of course.

The BGan units were used for both voice calls and data transfers and they were able to isolate their network from the Internet to prevent unauthorised access. Brazil were actually able to release their results on the same day as voting. They also reported that the BGan units suffered no downtime despite heavy usage.

I'm quite certain that other countries will be investigating this technology and it is only a matter of time before we in South Africa start voting electronically.

Henshaw Challenge

2009-05-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

One of our clients is attempting to break a world record starting today. Charles Stobbart will try to break, the just over, 70 year record set by Alex Henshaw. He will be travelling with an Iridium 9505 Satellite Phone for communication purposes. Since Iridium phones work everywhere, he will be well covered.

" 5th February 1939, Alex Henshaw set out to create a world record. He flew is 200hp Percival Mew Gull from London to Cape Town, then back to London again in 4 days 10 hours and 16 minutes.

This record has stood for just over 70 years!

In may 2009, Charles 'Chalkie' Stobbart will attempt to break this solo record in his Osprey GP4 single engine homebuilt aircraft..

The adventure begins...."

On the below website you will be able to be kept up to date with exactly where he is over the globe using google mapping technology.

UPDATE! Chalkie broke the record. He did it in 3 Days, 15 Hours and 17mins.

Source: Henshaw Challenge

2000 and counting..

2009-05-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

Inmarsat has announced that it has activated more than 2,000 FleetBroadband terminals. The achievement comes less than 18 months after the service was launched, making FleetBroadband Inmarsat's fastest growing maritime service.

What is Fleetbroadband?
FleetBroadband is the first maritime communications service to provide cost-effective broadband data and voice, simultaneously, through a compact antenna on a global basis. Based on 3G standards, FleetBroadband provides constant, simultaneous access to voice and high-speed data services, on a global basis. You can send and receive email with large file attachments, comfortably run complex data applications and make voice calls at the same time – more affordably than ever before. The terminal is quick and easy to install and has been tested and approved to exacting standards.

Save the Whales

2009-05-04T01:36:00.000-07:00

"Endangered whales are being protected from their biggest threat with the help of Inmarsat safety services.
After almost being wiped out by whaling before its ban in 1935, North Atlantic right whales now face extinction through collisions with commercial ships and entanglement in fishing gear.
With only 350 to 400 right whales left, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as one of the most endangered whale species.
Shipping lanes
But a mandatory ship reporting system (MSR) developed by the US Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is helping vessels steer clear of the whales in the busy shipping lanes crossing their habitats.
It provides ships with the most up-to-date sightings from NOAA so they can watch out for and make way for the whales, which reach 18 metres (59 feet) in length.
The sightings are received via Inmarsat C or as standard internet-based emails."

Source: Inmarsat

Inmarsat BGAN Video

2009-04-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

What is BGAN?

2009-04-29T01:35:00.000-07:00

Throughout the blog I have been using the word BGAN. In case you are not sure what this means, I have decided to explain it in simple terms.

BGAN is Inmarsat's broadband global area network. Inmarsat is a satellite voice and data provider. BGAN was the world's first mobile communications service to provide both voice and broadband data simultaneously through a single, truly portable device on a global basis.

For those who have jobs in remote locations and that need to be mobile, accessing the Internet meant a return to slow dial-up speeds. But when using the BGAN, you get all the benefits of high speed broadband.

TSF praises speedy action after L'Aquila earthquake

2009-04-28T06:18:00.000-07:00

Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) praised the Italian authorities for swiftly re-establishing communications after the earth quake in L'Aquila on 6 April that claimed around 300 lives.

The Inmarsat-sponsored emergency communications aid agency swiftly deployed with the primary task of identifying any shortfall in communications for relief agencies and the population as the earthquake left 20,000 people homeless.

Co-ordinating centreTSF spokesman Oisin Walton said: "We installed a fax connected to BGAN for rescue teams at the co-ordinating centre in L'Aquila, but there was no need for internet using BGAN and most survivors had their own mobile phones.

"Our objective was mainly to make sure both aid agencies and the population had communications, which was the case. The Italian Civil Security services were extremely well organised and communication networks were fixed within a matter of hours."

This was TSF's second mission to Italy - the NGO intervened in the Aoste valley in 2000 after heavy floods. In the past 10 years TSF has deployed to 11 earthquakes worldwide.

Source: Inmarsat

Video Streaming

2009-04-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

BGAN X-Stream is Inmarsat’s new premium IP streaming service. It guarantees streaming data rates from a minimum of 384kbps up to approximately 450kbps, on demand. These are the fastest on demand streaming rates in the world of mobile satellite communications.

Now, using a single, highly compact, lightweight BGAN terminal, you can deliver even higher quality video back to the studio when broadcasting remotely. There is no need for an external antenna or any additional hardware - just use your existing Hughes HNS 9201 or Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER™ 700 terminal.

BGAN X-Stream will be accessible in EMEA from 20 April 2009 and globally from the end of June 2009. To access the service, contact your BGAN service provider or download the FAQs for more detailed information.

Fastest video streaming speeds available via satellite using a highly compact, portable terminal.
Higher quality video delivered back to the studio via a single terminal when broadcasting remotely.
No external antenna or any additional hardware required - just your existing HNS 9201or EXPLORER™ 700 BGAN terminal.
Save money by replacing SNG trucks with BGAN terminals using BGAN X-Stream, thanks to enhanced video quality.
Globally accessible from end June 2009, so you can use BGAN X-Stream wherever the next story breaks.
No compatibility issues - tested and configured to work with the leading professional video applications and codecs.

Source: Inmarsat