Inmarsat event to break the mold of broadband mobile data

The exciting event is a first of its kind for the region, demonstrating the full portfolio of Inmarsat voice and data services live and in the field, including for the first time the new Inmarsat Regional BGAN service which provides data services of up to 144kbit/s. The event will feature teams competing on an off-road course, and connected to the wired world through mobile satellite solutions.

Samer Halawi, regional director for Inmarsat, comments: "The Middle East and North African markets are some of the most vibrant and promising markets for satellite based communications technologies." He continues, "Inmarsat Mission Global translates directly into our firm commitment to bringing to the region leading and exciting technologies that help address and solve its social and business development needs."

Inmarsat, the Total Communications Network™, has more than 23 years heritage in mobile satellite-based communications. Its services cover the needs of aeronautical, maritime and land data and voice services via a wide range of solutions, using its network of nine geostationary satellites and covering 98% of the earth's surface. Halawi explains: "Inmarsat Mission Global covers our entire portfolio of communication solutions on land. Our range of satellite-based communication solutions quickly and efficiently bridges the gap between areas and regions with varying availability of communication infrastructure."

Along with Inmarsat voice and low-speed data services, Inmarsat Mission Global will heavily focus on the company's next generation of broadband services, Inmarsat Regional BGAN, intended for commercial launch towards the end of this year. Regional BGAN is based on GPRS technology and extends the reach of the corporate office to allow businesses and individuals to operate where no reliable high-speed data network is available. It allows its users remote locations access to their corporate networks, connect to the Internet, to their e-mail, and it allows them to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and transfer files.

Halawi ends "Inmarsat Regional BGAN is an important milestone in the provision of high-speed mobile data services to the Middle East business community. It is truly a Quantum Leap in the delivery of cost-effective, reliable, high-speed wireless data services via satellite, which enables businesses and individuals to operate without the constraints of terrestrial networks. Dubai will be the first country in the region to inaugurate the commercial use of Regional BGAN."

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