Inmarsat announces upgrade to Fleet services at GITEX

Additionally the company plans to extend the spot beam coverage area for its maritime services when its next generation Inmarsat I-4 satellites are operational.

The 128kbit/s enhancement doubles the data speed available on existing Fleet F77 hardware, used by large vessels such as merchant ships and super yachts, and will make a significant improvement to vessels' operational efficiency by enabling data to be sent more quickly and cost effectively.

The enhancement - a single, dedicated 128kbit/s channel - has been designed to meet the varied communications and data requirements of the maritime industry. The powerful communications solution now provides further flexibility with extensive maritime coverage to meet the demands of modern commercial shipping.

"We have seen a steady rise in the demand from the maritime industry for higher data speeds in recent years," said Samer Halawi, Regional Director, Inmarsat Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

"This is a quantum leap in the level of service we can provide through our flagship Fleet solution, enabling supercharged vessel operations and once again putting us ahead of the data trend. We expect a number of our partners in the Middle East to offer the enhancement, and are using GITEX as a platform to introduce the enhanced service in the region," added Halawi.

The new service will provide users at sea with a single, integrated terminal platform delivering mobile 128kbit/s ISDN data and Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) capabilities, as well as voice and Group 3 and Group 4 fax services.

The extension also meets the latest requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) enabling pre-emption and prioritisation of voice calls over low priority voice and data traffic.

The extended service supporting 128kbit/s ISDN will enable:
• Fast remote network access
• Fast access IP (Internet Protocol) services via ISDN dial-up networks
• Improved on board ship solutions, including:
- video conferencing
- email and data communications
- ship management applications
- on-line chart updates and weather information
- vessel telemetry.

The 128 kbit/s service will be available from Q1 2005. The extension uses existing Fleet F77 hardware, and only requires a minor software upgrade to access the enhanced service. Full details can be obtained from the terminals' manufacturers, or from Inmarsat's service providers.

The new 128kbit/s service available on Fleet F77 will also use the extended spot beam coverage area of the Inmarsat I-4 satellites, following the migration of Inmarsat's digital maritime services to the I-4 satellites next year.

The two I-4 satellites, scheduled for launch in the first and third quarters of 2005, will provide enhanced spot beam coverage in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions. This will significantly increase the area in which services that provide voice, fax and data access through spot beams - such as Fleet F55, Fleet F33 and Mini-M - can operate.

"This enhanced capability will offer a tremendous boost to users of our spot beam services, and will be one of the first benefits to be felt from the launch of our next generation satellites," said Halawi.

No terminal modification is required for users to benefit from this enhanced coverage. Users should contact their service provider for full details.