Inmarsat Launch FleetBroadband

Today Inmarsat announced the commercial service introduction of FleetBroadband, its new voice and high-speed data service for maritime users.

The newest member of Inmarsat’s highly-successful Fleet family of services, FleetBroadband is the first fully IP-based service, capable of supporting simultaneous voice and broadband IP data connectivity at up to 432kbpsFleetBroadband.

From today, approved FleetBroadband equipment is available from manufacturers JRC and Thrane & Thrane, with service provided by Bezeq, KDDI, Korea Telecom, MCN, Morsviazsputnik, OTESAT-Maritel, SingTel, Stratos and Vizada. Inmarsat expects partners to commence terminal shipments in the next few weeks.

FleetBroadband uses the advanced capability of Inmarsat’s latest-generation satellites, the Inmarsat-4s. The service will initially be available on the two Inmarsat-4 satellites currently in orbit over the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean regions. Following the successful launch of the third Inmarsat-4, currently planned for April 2008, FleetBroadband will be available globally later that year.

"Today we complete our broadband portfolio by delivering FleetBroadband to our most significant market," said Michael Butler, President and Chief Operating Officer, Inmarsat. "The development of FleetBroadband is part of our strategy to keep innovating, to develop new services that are faster, smaller, cheaper and more accessible for a range of maritime users globally. We have had tremendous success with the Fleet service, with sustained growth since its launch, which has provided a very strong platform from which to launch FleetBroadband."

There are two types of FleetBroadband service available:

• FB500 offers standard IP connectivity of up to 432kbps, with guaranteed or ’streaming’ IP data rates of 32, 64, 128 and 256kbps. It also supports 64kbps ISDN connectivity for legacy applications. The above-deck dome diameter is around 57cm, and weighs about 18kg.
• FB250 delivers a standard IP connection of up to 284kbps, with streaming IP available at 32, 64 and 128kbps. Its dome diameter is about 25cm and weighs around 2.5kg.

Both services support 4kbps voice, Group 3 fax and standard 3G SMS functionality.

"We know that many parts of the maritime industry want increased bandwidth - whether to support crew communications, meet new regulations for shipping, or to explore new ways of working and enhance operational efficiency," said Piers Cunningham, Head of Maritime Business, Inmarsat.

"But we also know that they want compact terminals, with simple shipboard installation and use, available seamlessly on a global basis, and accessed through equipment that is type approved to a trusted standard.

"FleetBroadband is the first service to meet all of these demanding requirements, and in a highly cost-effective manner. We are targeting existing Inmarsat users who want increased bandwidth, and new users who will see FleetBroadband’s compelling combination of form and function as a

reason to move to broadband".