|
Top Inmarsat Satellite
Phone Picks for
|
Rex
Strong
Telecommunications Editor
|
The
Most Important Thing To Know About Inmarsat Satellite
Phones
Inmarsat (International Maritime Satellite)
satellite services were launched in 1979 to serve the
maritime industry. However, Inmarsat shot to popularity
and gained world recognition during the 1991 Gulf war
when correspondents were able to report live from the
war torn areas in Baghdad and Iraq.
Starting with a modest client base of just 900 odd ships
in the early 80s, Inmarsat subsequently started offering
satellite-based services to the aeronautical industry
as well as land users. In 1999 it became the first IGO
to be converted into a privately owned company.
Inmarsat Satellites
With one of the most dependable and resourceful satellite
networks in the world Inmarsat is a leading provider
of global satellite mobile communications. Inmarsat
satellites are controlled from the HQ in London, which
is also the HQ for Inmarsat plc.
Inmarsat I-2 Satellites: Launched in the early 90s the
4 I-2s were originally designed for a 10-year life span.
I-2 F1 is situated above the Pacific offering lease capacity.
I-2 F2 is located over the western Atlantic and offers
lease capacity as well as back up for I-3 F4. I-2 F3
positioned over the Pacific offers lease capacity and
back up for I-3 F3. The fourth I-2 is offering leased
capacity over the Indian Ocean and backing up I-3 F1
and I-3 F3.
Inmarsat I-3 Satellites: The 5 I-3s were launched during
a two year period from 1996 – 1998. I-3 F1 covers
the Indian Ocean, I-3 F2 the East Atlantic Ocean, I-3
F3 the Pacific Ocean region, I-3 F4 the West Atlantic
Ocean and the I-3 F5 offers limited services on a spot
beam and back up services.
Inmarsat I-4 Satellites: These satellites from Inmarsat
are the biggest commercial communication satellites ever
introduced into space. Inmarsat’s BGAN services
will depend entirely on the I-4s in the years to come.
The I-4 F1 has already begun operation over the Indian
Ocean.
Inmarsat Network
Inmarsat’s calls and data requests use a global
network of land earth stations or LESs located in 29
countries. A call made from an Inmarsat satellite phone
goes directly to the satellite overhead and is then routed
back to the LES. The LES passes the call to the landline
infrastructure for further processing.
Buying Inmarsat Products
Inmarsat has divided its services into some broad groups
assigned to specific networks to cater to niche markets.
Some networks support multiple services. You can choose
the network or service you wish to buy and then select
the related products.
Inmarsat A: Inmarsat’s only analog service that
is to be phased out by Dec 2007. It is however, the world’s
only global portable satphone and telex machine. Using
a multi user channel customers can even simultaneously
transmit more than one call over the same system. Users
can send data, faxes and live video even.
Inmarsat B: An advanced digital version of Inmarsat
A using smaller terminals. Call charges are 30% lower
than Inmarsat A at about $5.50 / per minute.
Inmarsat C: This system is dedicated to data transfer
only. The mobile terminals weigh barely 9 pounds including
the antenna. It allows users to transfer data from anywhere
in the world including email and binary files.
Inmarsat M: A cheaper option for voice transmission
and limited data transmission than offered by Inmarsat
A and B.
Other than these basic four services Inmarsat has increased
its repertoire considerably. The Inmarsat Mini-M, M4,
Fleet, D, E, RBGAN and BGAN services also have become
extremely popular and contribute towards making Inmarsat
the most versatile of all satellite network providers.
|
All About:
