News

Inmarsat unveils GPRS satellite- for broadband service

GPRS technology is behind the broadband data service for businesses, unveiled by satellite provider Inmarsat. It is claimed to offer speeds up to 144 Kbps.

Called "Regional BGAN" (Broadband Global Area Network ) it is based on GPRS technology and is aimed at firms that need reliable links in remote locations for fixed installations and remote work. The service coverage spans most of Europe and north Africa – a total of 99 countries.

Usage relies on a buying or leasing a A4-sized portable satellite IP modem which connects to a laptop or PC.

In service demonstrations in Wales earlier this month Inmarsat showed the device being used for download Web pages , email and streaming audio as well as instant messaging between two laptops connected through the service.

The service is being sold through Stratos in the UK. Typical costs are $1,500 for the terminal, $40 per month for service rental, and $10 per Megabyte of data transferred. As well as through Stratos, Regional BGAN is also distributed via a network of partners that includes many of the world's largest Telcos. They include: France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, Telenor Satellite Services, Xantic, Morsviazsputnik and The MVS Group, Net Africa, Egyptian Space Company (ESC), OteSat, Telecom Italia and KDDI.

Alan Brunstrom, satellite specialist, Ovum said: "This is not just the first practical implementation of 2G+ services over a satellite platform – but among the best over any kind of platform."

The launch was followed three days later by Vodafone's launch of its Remote Access service, a GPRS service available in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden with the UK to follow shortly.

The Financial Times recently reported that three bidders (Apollo Advisors, Apax Partners, and Permira) are expected to bid to buy Inmarsat, currently valued at around €1.6bn

Fuller details of the Regional BGAN service are provided on Inmarsat's web site.