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Inmarsat
launches new members of fleet family Posted:
1 May 2003
Fleet F55 and Fleet F33 allow smaller vessels to benefit
from high-quality global voice and a range of data services
Dubai, UAE — Inmarsat Limited, the Total Communications Network,
today announced the commercial availability of the two newest members
of the Fleet family of services, Fleet F55 and Fleet F33. Designed
to provide a powerful communications solution for small to medium-sized
vessels, the new Fleet services incorporate global voice and a range
of fax and data services.
Inmarsat Fleet F55 and F33 bring the benefits of satellite communications
to vessels which were previously restricted by size and cost of
terminal hardware.
The voice and data services offered by Fleet F55 and Fleet F33
are now a realistic option for leisure boats, fishing and small
merchant vessels and coastal cutters because of the smaller antenna,
simple hardware installation and low cost.
Maritime information, such as sea and weather charts, can now be
accessed online and updated in real-time. Users can also enjoy the
benefits of reliable, easy access to email whenever and wherever
it is needed.
"The launch of Fleet F55 and Fleet F33 demonstrates Inmarsat’s
ongoing commitment to raise the standard of communications available
to all parts of the maritime community,” said Robert Johnson,
Director, Maritime Business at Inmarsat.
“Previously only larger ships had access to this level of
communication services. Now yachts and smaller vessels will also
be able to fit Inmarsat equipment, giving them access to advanced,
reliable and cost-effective communications.
“Access to communications provides competitive advantage:
it enables ship owners, management and crew to keep in touch with
headquarters, family and friends, and it provides the latest, real-time
information to assist with navigation and operational efficiency.
Inmarsat Fleet F55 and Fleet F33 will bring advanced connectivity
to a new range of vessels,” he said.
The configuration of the products gives the option for two distinct
data channels. Currently offering voice, data and email, it is planned
to extend the Fleet F33 service in 2004 with the option of a mobile
packet data service (MPDS), to enable crew to send immediate short
burst data with an ‘always on’ capability at low cost.
The benefits of Fleet F55 include:
- Clear, digital voice available virtually globally in all four
Inmarsat Ocean Regions.
- Two distinct services available in Inmarsat spot beam areas:
- 64kbit/s ISDN service providing high-speed data services
- Mobile Packet Data service, an “always on” IP
service. This service is charged on the volume of data throughput,
rather than time (as with the ISDN service). This is very
attractive for smaller volumes of data or for interactive
data sessions that include ‘dead time’
- Small lightweight antenna offering easy installation for smaller
vessels. The radome weights just 18kg and can be physically lifted
by hand.
- The ability to use on board applications. For example: email,
maintenance and ship management applications, online chart updates
and online weather updates.
The benefits of Fleet F33 include:
- Clear, digital voice available virtually globally in all four
of the Inmarsat Ocean Regions.
- Two distinct data services available in Inmarsat spot beam
areas depending on terminal version:
- 9.6kbit/s asynchronous data service with end-to-end compression,
providing an effective throughput of up to 28.8kbit/s and
beyond by using integrated data compression (throughput dependent
on the application being used)
- The Inmarsat Mobile Packet Data service (MPDS), planned
for launch in 2004, will offer full-rate to mobile and half-rate
return, and will be available as part of a software upgrade.
- Small, lightweight antenna, offering increased ease of supply
and installation.
About Inmarsat Limited
- Inmarsat Ltd owns and operates a unique global mobile satellite
network and delivers its communications solutions through a worldwide
network of approximately 260 distributors and other service providers
operating in over 80 countries to end users in the maritime, land
and aeronautical sectors.
- Inmarsat Ltd has a portfolio of mobile satellite solutions,
including voice, fax, intranet and Internet access and other data
services.
- Inmarsat Ltd has more than 23 years of experience in designing,
implementing and operating satellite networks.
- At the end of 2002, approximately 260,000 terminals were registered
to access Inmarsat Ltd’s services.
- Inmarsat Ltd is also supported by partners in the fields of
equipment manufacture, software provision and systems integration.
- Inmarsat Ltd is a subsidiary of Inmarsat Ventures plc.
- Inmarsat is the exclusive global partner of the FIA World Rally
Championship.
For more information see www.inmarsat.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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