Inmarsat powers the mobile broadband superhighway

BGAN is an all-in-one solution that offers simultaneous voice and broadband data connectivity through a highly-portable terminal. It delivers standard IP connectivity at up to 492kbps, guaranteed data rates of up to 256kbps and circuit-switched voice at cell phone quality. To date, BGAN has 5,547 active subscribers registered on the Inmarsat network and has been used in 191 countries around the world by international broadcasters for live news reports, by aid agencies in relief efforts and crisis response, by the world's leading oil and gas companies at exploration sites, and governments in emergency response, and by different sectors, companies, and individuals. At the GULFCOMMS exhibition this year in conjunction with GITEX 2006, representatives from Inmarsat will showcase the latest technology from Inmarsat, including live demonstrations of BGAN.

In 2006, Inmarsat also witnessed significant developments across the land, maritime and aeronautical sectors. The year's highlights include:
• Positive reception and take up of BGAN since its launch
• A collaboration with ACeS International to introduce a hand-held and other satellite voice services
• Plans to provide Inmarsat's aeronautical solutions to enable in-flight use of GSM mobile phones

On November 15, Inmarsat reported consolidated financial results for the 3 months ended September 30, 2006:
• Third quarter total revenue $129.2 million up 8% year over year
• Mobile satellites services revenue up 10% year over year
• EBITDA $89.4 million up 20% year over year
• Strong performance across all business sectors
• BGAN revenue $5.3 million year to date, 5,547 subscribers
• BGAN take-up strong in new markets
• ACeS integration on track, first revenues from ha d-held services
• SwiftBroadband demonstrated, on track to support in-flight mobile trials

Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "Across the board it was a strong revenue and EBITDA performance for the third quarter. We recorded significant year over year and sequential quarterly revenue growth in all our reporting sectors. We are pleased with the contribution from our new BGAN service during the third quarter and in the continued interest this is generating among new and existing customers. Taking into account the expected impact of volume discounts in the fourth quarter, we are now well positioned to deliver results in line with market expectations for the full year."

Commenting on his projections for the satellite communications industry in the Middle East in 2007, Samer Halawi, Regional Director, Inmarsat, Middle East, Africa & Central Asia, explained,

"The launch of BGAN in this region was the beginning of a new era for Inmarsat and a high point for our customers in the Middle East and Africa as BGAN empowered them with a satellite solution allowing connectivity on the move with virtually global coverage. In September, we then announced the introduction of a global low-cost and handheld voice and low-speed data service which will undoubtedly open up new markets to the use of satellite services, especially for those in the Middle East longing for a global high-quality handheld voice service."

Halawi added, "Because of the increasing hunger for more bandwidth, global coverage, and cost efficiencies in the deployment of infrastructure, and because of the geographical limitations of terrestrially-based services, we anticipate the year ahead to see a continuation of those activities witnessed in 2006, and even an acceleration and globalization of those trends."

Today, Inmarsat stands strong at the forefront of mobile satellite communications, capitalizing on more than 27 years' experience to deliver global voice and broadband data solutions for use at sea, on land and in the air. Inmarsat operates a constellation of 10 geostationary satellites that deliver phone, fax and data communications to every part of the world (excluding the polar regions). The advanced capability of its latest-generation Inmarsat-4 satellites - the world's largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellites - extend the boundaries of 3G networks to areas with unreliable, insecure or non-existent telecoms infrastructures. Two Inmarsat-4 satellites are currently in operation covering 85% of the earth's landmass, and the company has recently announced plans to launch a third, which will then close the gap over the Pacific Ocean.

For more information on Inmarsat, visit their stand at GULFCOMMS - Zabeel Hall, Stand Z-C25.