The size of a London double-decker bus and weighing about six tons, the Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellite will deliver a 3G-compatible broadband data service to mobile users. The satellite is 60 times more powerful, and has 20 times more capacity than its predecessors, the Inmarsat-3 satellites.
"The world has just got a little smaller," said Andrew Sukawaty, CEO and Chairman, Inmarsat. "We have created communications history today. The I-4 satellite is one of the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever launched, and will deliver unprecedented data speeds for a mobile satellite communications service."
The satellite will now undergo a complex series of post-launch tests and manoeuvres before being fully deployed in geostationary orbit, 36,000km above the Indian Ocean at 64ºE. The satellite footprint will cover Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, most of Asia Pacific, and Western Australia.
Inmarsat currently intends to launch a second I-4 satellite in the third quarter of 2005, which will be located over the Atlantic Ocean at 53ºW and provide service for the Americas. The two I-4 satellites will then cover 85 per cent of the world's land mass.
When the two satellites are fully operational, currently expected in the fourth quarter of 2005, Inmarsat intends to launch its new Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service.
BGAN is an IP and circuit-switched service that will offer voice telephony and a sophisticated range of high-bandwidth services, including internet access, videoconferencing, LAN and other services, at speeds of up to 432kbit/s.
Inmarsat's I-4 satellites are built by EADS Astrium and are part of an eight-year, $1.5 billion development of Inmarsat's next-generation satellite network. The first launch was carried out by International Launch Services using an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral.
Browse
related articles
Successful launch for Inmarsat-4 satellite
- United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 21 - 2005 at 16:58
- PRESS RELEASE
Related content
Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, today confirmed the successful launch of its first Inmarsat-4 satellite.
Article Options
Log in to request more information from Inmarsat
Posted by Lara Lynn Golden, News EditorMonday, March 21 - 2005 at 16:58 UAE local time (GMT+4)
Replication or redistribution in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited.
Notes and Media Contacts »
About Inmarsat
• Imarsat owns and operates a global mobile satellite communications network and delivers its communications solutions through a network of more than 400 distributors and service providers to end users in the maritime, land and aeronautical sectors in approximately 170 countries.
• Inmarsat has a portfolio of mobile satellite communications solutions, including voice, fax, intranet and Internet access and other data services.
• Inmarsat has more than 25 years' experience in designing, implementing and operating satellite communications networks.
• At the end of December 2004, approximately 353,000 terminals were registered to access Inmarsat's services.
• Inmarsat is also supported by partners in the fields of equipment manufacture, software provision and systems integration.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.
Ahmed Rizk
Senior Account Executive
Impact Porter Novelli
Tel: +9714 3304030 ext 406
Mob: +97150 5504036
John Warehand
Media Relations Manager
Inmarsat
Tel: +44 20 7728 1579
Mob: +44 7739 778 128
• Imarsat owns and operates a global mobile satellite communications network and delivers its communications solutions through a network of more than 400 distributors and service providers to end users in the maritime, land and aeronautical sectors in approximately 170 countries.
• Inmarsat has a portfolio of mobile satellite communications solutions, including voice, fax, intranet and Internet access and other data services.
• Inmarsat has more than 25 years' experience in designing, implementing and operating satellite communications networks.
• At the end of December 2004, approximately 353,000 terminals were registered to access Inmarsat's services.
• Inmarsat is also supported by partners in the fields of equipment manufacture, software provision and systems integration.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.
Ahmed Rizk
Senior Account Executive
Impact Porter Novelli
Tel: +9714 3304030 ext 406
Mob: +97150 5504036
John Warehand
Media Relations Manager
Inmarsat
Tel: +44 20 7728 1579
Mob: +44 7739 778 128
Disclaimer »
Articles in this section are primarily provided directly by the companies appearing or PR agencies which are solely responsible for the content. The companies concerned may use the above content on their respective web sites provided they link back to http://www.ameinfo.com
Any opinions, advice, statements, offers or other information expressed in this section of the AMEinfo.com Web site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited. AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited is not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or reliability of any material, advice, opinion or statement in this section of the AMEinfo.com Web site.
For details about submitting your stories, please read the guide - all content published is subject to our terms and conditions
