Satcom Direct Becomes an Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) Distribution Partner
Satellite Beach, FL / January 30, 2014 – Satcom Direct customers operating in remote regions can now benefit from the fast, cost-effective connectivity available through Inmarsat’s award-winning BGAN service, delivered via its Inmarsat-4 satellite constellation.
Satcom Direct has been a business partner with Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, since 1997 and is presently one of Inmarsat's largest aviation services providers for products including Swift 64 and SwiftBroadband. Satcom Direct now has added Inmarsat’s land mobile Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service to its offering. BGAN is the world’s first globally available mobile satellite communications service to provide both voice and broadband data simultaneously through small, lightweight satellite terminals.
"Our BGAN distribution agreement, along with our existing GSPS distribution agreement with Inmarsat allows us to provide customers with land mobile services globally," said David Greenhill, Satcom Direct president. "Our aerospace clients are expanding into remote parts of the world that lack land-based communications connectivity. Inmarsat’s BGAN service allows them to set up a broadband mobile office in minutes, virtually anywhere."
Satcom Direct currently has approximately 2,000 land mobile customers worldwide. The BGAN service, delivered via Inmarsat’s award-winning Inmarsat-4 commercial communications satellites, provides simultaneous voice and broadband data up to 492kbps via a single terminal in addition to its suite of guaranteed on-demand streaming rates. The BGAN service is accessed by a variety of portable, fixed and vehicular ‘plug & play’ terminals that can be deployed without any technical expertise or training.
Additionally, Satcom Direct will offer its customers Inmarsat’s recently launched BGAN HDR service, which supports a portfolio of four new on-demand streaming rates. For broadcast customers, BGAN HDR delivers a step-change in video quality when reporting from remote areas as its full channel option will provide a minimum throughput of 580kbps with users already experiencing an average speed of 600-700kbps, reaching as high as 800kbps. These speeds are unprecedented in the world of mobile satellite services and ensure that broadcast users can take advantage of the full bandwidth available when reporting live from the field.
"Inmarsat’s BGAN service is a natural fit for Satcom Direct. As a one-stop-shop for mobile and fixed satellite communications, BGAN also complements our investment into our affiliate company ndtHOST. Its new 25,000 sq ft data centre delivers cloud computing solutions for our customers operating on land, sea or in air," added Greenhill.
Drew Brandy, vice president, Inmarsat Enterprise Market Strategy & Development, said: “Inmarsat has enjoyed a long history with Satcom Direct and we are delighted to welcome them as a Distribution Partner for our BGAN land services. BGAN has been a game-changing service since it was first introduced in 2005. Satcom Direct holds a strong position in the North American market and we look forward to working closely with them to introduce new sectors to the benefits of BGAN and providing their existing customers with the significantly enhanced connectivity speeds available through BGAN HDR.”
Satcom Direct: Satcom Direct is the leading provider of satellite voice and broadband data solutions for flight deck and cabin communications serving business, military, government, and heads of state aircraft. The company is a premier Inmarsat Distribution Partner, Iridium Service Partner, and ViaSat Yonder's preferred reseller, supporting more than ninety percent of all corporate flight departments worldwide. Satcom Direct continues to advance its services through mobile applications and value adds – from flight deck datalink to cabin communications – making Satcom Direct the leader in aeronautical satcom service. For more information regarding Satcom Direct, visit www.satcomdirect.com, e-mail [email protected], or call +1.321.777.3000. To view Satcom Direct’s portable satellite communication equipment and services, including satellite phones and BGAN units, visit www.satcomstore.com, e-mail [email protected], or call +1.321.777.0771.
Inmarsat: Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.
