First Lebanese company to become Inmarsat Distribution Partner

With this agreement, TRIBAND becomes an authorized Distribution Partner for Inmarsat Regional BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network), the fastest GPRS-compatible, mobile data communication service that Inmarsat launched late last year.

Traditionally focused on the mobile voice market , TRIBAND M.E. adds to its existing services portfolio, with Regional BGAN, a new service, "one that complements our existing voice and low-speed data solutions and opens up business opportunities in brand new vertical markets," says Triband M.E.'s Executive Vice President, Maroun Chammas.

Launched to the Middle East in December 2002, Inmarsat's Regional BGAN delivers data speed of up to 144kbit/s via a lightweight notebook-sized satellite IP modem with fixed or wireless connection to a PC or PDA. Chammas continues: "The mobility feature in Inmarsat Regional BGAN along with its fast data connectivity capability are perfect solutions to the majority of our customer base, highly mobile businesses and corporate travelers."

Along with targeting its existing customers, TRIBAND M.E. believes that Regional BGAN is a perfect solution for vertical industries whose business expansion into the rural areas of the region demands communication capabilities. Chammas explains: "the International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that only 2% of the Middle East and North African rural populations have access to terrestrial telephony facilities. If businesses are to expand out of the region's urban centers, access to connectivity will be a major obstacle." He continues: "Regional BGAN overcomes these connectivity obstacles especially when vertical sectors such as finance and banking, tourism and manufacturing, are concerned." Inmarsat's Regional BGAN allows businesses and governments to have access in the satellite footprint to mobile broadband services where no reliable high-speed data networks are available. It enables remote access to corporate networks, to the Internet, to e-mail, to Virtual Private Networks and to file transfers.

For the last few years, TRIBAND M.E. has been successfully developing its network of distributors in the Middle East and Africa. Being part of the Chammas Group of companies, one of the largest privately owned groups in the Near East, North America and Africa, TRIBAND has immediate reach to the oil and gas, transportation and technology sectors. Samer Halawi, Regional Director for the Middle and Africa at Inmarsat Ltd. ended saying: "TRIBAND has the right market approach, an extended market reach, and a thorough understanding of the region's connectivity requirements. We believe TRIBAND M.E. would be a strategic and successful partner for using one of our most important services in the region."

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