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Inmarsat Achieves Global Coverage with New High Speed Wireless Network

Inmarsat Achieves Global Coverage with New High Speed Wireless Network

GCaptain
Total Views: 7
January 11, 2016

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Inmarsat plc has confirmed that its Global Xpress constellation achieved global commercial service introduction in December last year.

Global Xpress is a worldwide high-speed wireless network that delivers broadband connectivity on land, at sea, and in the air. The Global Xpress constellation is formed of three Ka-band, high-speed mobile broadband communications satellites. Each I-5 satellite is expected to have a commercial life of 15 years. Together, the three satellites provide the coverage required to deliver global GX services.

In 2010, Inmarsat awarded a contract to Boeing to build a constellation of three Inmarsat-5 satellites as part of Global Xpress. Inmarsat 5-F1, the first satellite launched in December 2013, entered commercial service in July 2014. The second satellite was launched in February 2015, followed by the third in August 2015.

As part of Inmarsat’s $1.6 billion program, a fourth Global Xpress satellite (I-5 F4) is currently completing construction and testing by Boeing in California. The satellite is expected to be launched in the second half of 2016 in order to provide additional Global Xpress capacity.

Inmarsat’s I-5 satellites operate with a combination of fixed narrow spot beams that enable Inmarsat to deliver higher speeds through more compact terminals, plus steerable beams so additional capacity can be directed in real-time to where it’s needed, according to the company.

Inmarsat plans to introduce a series of market-specific, high-speed connectivity services powered by Global Xpress during the course of 2016.

Writing by Nadeem (c) gCaptain.com

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