Mobile satellite communications more accessible than ever with pre-paid Web-based solution

GloCall Middle East, member of France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, today launched its online billing management tool at Gitex Dubai 2003, allowing users of Inmarsat's Regional BGAN service to control and monitor their terminals via the Web. As the market for satellite communications grows in this region, customers who may previously have been wary of costs can now use a billing system that matches their budget, including a pre-paid system where credits can be added remotely.

"GloCall Middle East developed this system especially for Regional BGAN so that Inmarsat service providers instantly add or transfer credits or configure terminal options online, allowing them to give customers an enormous amount of real-time flexibility," explains Danny Wassenaar, Commercial Director, GloCall Middle East.

This service will help GloCall Middle East build the Inmarsat channel, as service providers will have an efficient back-office system with smooth operations, allowing them to quickly activate, bar or unbar clients, give them up-to-date billing information and limit their credit risk. "This will ultimately transfer into lower cost services to the end users, as well as give them better control over how much they spend on communications. The Middle East demand for Regional BGAN has been growing steadily over the past year, and GloCall has expanded its operations across the region in order to meet this demand," continued Wassenaar.

Inmarsat Regional BGAN is a wireless packet data service, based on Internet Protocol (IP), which offers mobile, high-speed access to the Internet and corporate computer networks via a small, lightweight portable Satellite IP Modem. Users only pay for the amount of data they send and receive, and not for the amount of time spent online. GloBill Online allows users to pay for a set amount of data, and then recharge their credit limit once it is used up.

Michael Butler, Inmarsat's Managing Director, said: "We have been working on building the Regional BGAN channel in the Middle East, and our current network of partners is growing in order to meet the increasing demand for the service. Since the launch of the service late last year, Inmarsat's distribution partners have been actively promoting and expanding Regional BGAN's market, working with potential corporate end users and through their channel of satellite telecommunication partners. GloCall is not only an Inmarsat service provider, they are also helping grow this market by developing advanced applications that enhance the service and make them a value-add to the Regional BGAN channel. "

Beside Globill Online, Glocall Middle East offers a range of value added service to the Regional BGAN network as a secure VPN Solution via any switched network as X25, Frame Relay or any existing network infrastructure, Regional BGAN User Home page*, Full Pre-paid system with vouchers, and many more to come in the near future.

Wassenaar ended: "To date, our partner channel helped us capture more than 65% of the Regional BGAN market share in the Middle East. The demand remains high thanks to the success of the service and we are actively looking for more partners in Syria, Jordan, Iran, Kuwait and Iraq. With so many aid and development organisations working in this region, this system comes just in time. These bodies typically work under very strict budgets, and have to watch every dollar. The new system allows them to get the maximum value from their Inmarsat system."