Category: Blog

Every year seems to bring the same propagana from researchers and the media reporting another bad hurricane season ahead. Whether this prophecy proves true is impossible to determine until the storms actually wreak havoc in our backyards. However, you can prepare for the worst of storms should this season mirror 2007. Remember how unreliable cellular communications were when Katrina hit?

International Satellite Services, Inc has prepared for this season by stocking a large inventory of Satellite Communication devices including the Iridium 9555 Handheld Satellite Phone. Also available mid July is the NEW Handheld Satellite Phone from Inmarsat…the ISat Phone Pro . Both of these phones provide global services, allowing users to make and receive calls regardless of location AND during emergency situations when terrestrial connectivity is not possible.

Perhaps it’s a good idea to also have a device that will access the internet when the terresrial network is down? The Wideye Sabre 1 BGAN Terminal is the perfect solution for browsing the web, sending/receiving emails and simultaneously making satellite voice calls… all in one terminal. The Wideye is equipped with a range of common interfaces, providing connectivity options in the field and the swiveled antenna facilitates rapid and easy pointing for a satellite connection. Combined with its sub-laptop size, the terminal is ideal for single users in an emergency situation who need to set up a complete mobile office in frequently changing locations.

I am fortunate to work in an industry that is on the cutting edge of satellite communications devices. Our products and services provide reliable communications during emergency situations when normal ways of communicating aren’t feasible. Whether this year proves to be a rough storm season or not, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the worst. Researching which satellite phone or internet device is right for you, is a step in the right direction. Call or email us today for a free consultation.

BGAN Cost Control tips and tricks:

BGAN is incredible satellite communications technology. For remote communications, simultaneous mobile satellite voice and satellite internet have never been this feasible and user friendly. All this being said, the terminal must be managed so as to avoid getting high usage bills which can deter future usage.

I have put together this post to maximize BGAN performance and control usage costs….no matter which terminal you happen to be using. These simple steps will go a long way to keep usage costs right where you expect they should be…with no surprises.
Ideally, these recommendations should be implemented prior to departure. Always make sure to set up and test your unit so you’re confident the unit will be plug and play once you need to use it.
In addition to the User Guide included with your system, our technical support gurus are available 24/7. We can assist you with your BGAN terminal set up, software installation, use of the product and we’ll answer any other questions or problems you may have. Call us at 1 888-511-3403 or 239-598-2241

To Maximize BGAN Performance

When using your BGAN terminal, you must have an open look to the sky, with no hindrances such as tall buildings, trees or mountains between the terminal and satellite. Clouds, fog, rain, snow, wind and smoke will not affect reception and call quality like with satellite TV….called rain fade.

Cost control

Please remember when you use BGAN, you are responsible for all data that is transmitted and received from your computer in 50KB increments. Theoretically, you could be billed for 50KB when you only use 10KB. It’s best not to log in repeatedly to send individual emails. The ideal option would be to save your emails as drafts then log on to send them all at one time. In some cases, you may be paying for activity you were not aware of. Below are some tips to help reduce unnecessary data transmissions and manage your satellite usage costs.

1. Disable any automatic updates so you don’t pay for un-necessary information like Windows system updates, antivirus updates and more.
2. Do not leave web pages open while you are working in other applications or while your computer is unattended. You will be charged when pages refresh.
3. Minimize use of streaming media* or even better, disable multimedia options in your web browser. Video, music and voice applications use significant data.
4. Use client-based email instead of webmail. Using webmail like Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo can be 10 to 20 times more expensive than Outlook, Eudora or Entourage.
5. Enable WEPKEY for Wi-Fi networks. Specifically, the Hughes HNS 9201 and the Thrane & Thrane 700 have Wi-Fi enabled capability with no security. Other people may see your unprotected network and piggyback on and this can lead to very high unexpected usage. Please disable the Wi-Fi feature for extra protection. See the user guide for encryption standards.
6. Minimize sending and downloading large files. Inlcludes photos and videos

Inmarsat Announces Global Xpress™ the Superfast Network Offering Speeds Up To 50Mbps

Much faster. Less expensive. High quality. These are some of the phrases being used to describe Inmarsat’s recently announced Global XpressTM service.

By 2014 Inmarsat customers will enjoy a unique global portable satellite internet solution designed to address the growing maritime, energy, and government sector markets for VSAT services, as well as evolving markets such as the aeronautical sector.

Inmarsat has announced a deal with Boeing to acquire three 702HP Ka-band satellites to provide its new Ka-band global, high-capacity satellite services. The satellites will make up the new Inmarsat-5 (I-5) constellation that will enable the company to deliver its unique new service offering. The Inmarsat-5s will support a next generation global broadband service, called Global Xpress™, which will target a US$1.4 billion incremental market for VSAT services.

Chairman and chief executive of Inmarsat Andrew Sukawaty said:

… we will be the first operator to offer global broadband coverage, offering unparalleled speeds and bandwidth to customers in remote locations around the world.

Global Xpress will be faster and less expensive than current Ku-band market offerings, it will be delivered to smaller and cheaper terminals and be the first offered on a seamless, global, end-to-end basis with high-quality of service. Picture 50Mpbs services to a ship or aircraft, and 10Mpbs to an antenna the size of an iPad (20cm).

The Inmarsat-5s will also complement our existing global L-band services, allowing us to offer unique hybrid packages using both networks, giving users unprecedented levels of resilience and reliability in remote and harsh environments.

Boeing reports that each Inmarsat-5 satellite will carry 89 Ka-band beams that will operate in geosynchronous orbit with flexible global coverage. When operational, the I-5 satellites will provide a comprehensive range of services, including mobile broadband communications for deep-sea vessels, in-flight connectivity for airline passengers, and streaming high-resolution video, voice and data.

Boeing also has agreed to enter into a distribution partnership with Inmarsat and has committed to capacity purchases representing more than 10 per cent of Inmarsat’s target Ka-band revenues in the first five years after launch.

Inmarsat estimates the total cost of the I-5s and Global Xpress will be US$1.2 billion over four and a half years, incorporating the fixed cost of the satellites, as well as the cost of additional ground network infrastructure, product development, launch services and insurance. The company is targeting US$500 million of annual Ka-band revenues five years after global service is launched.

Explorer 325: Smaller, lighter BGAN terminal for Vehicular Use Offers Low-Cost Option

The BGAN Explorer 325 is an entry-level portable satellite internet and voice terminal in the satellite communications-on-the-move market, one of the most rapidly-expanding markets in recent years due to the demand for constant access to communications regardless of location and situation.

The new Thrane & Thrane BGAN terminal has received Inmarsat Type Approval, and offers low cost of entry compared to other BGAN options in the on-the-move market. It’s designed to meet the needs of organizations and teams with limited budgets, while still offering a high level of performance in both data and voice.

For example, an Explorer 325 terminal is accompanying two Danish explorers on the first ever around the world electric car expedition, “Charge to Change”, which departed Copenhagen July 25, 2010 on its ten month journey. With the Explorer 325 the expedition will have global voice communication and broadband internet via satellite, enabling them to deliver photos and footage, maintain a blog, and communicate by voice and email with friends and family anywhere along the trip.

Traditional COTM markets include military, media and humanitarian organizations. Now more price-sensitive users that also need satellite communications on-the-move service, like transportation, utilities, rapid response and paramedic teams, can also enjoy a cost-effective solution to their mobile broadband connectivity needs.

The Explorer 325 BGAN terminal consists of three fully-integrated units: a transceiver, an IP handset and an auto-tracking and maintenance-free antenna with magnetic roof mounts. It’s really easy to install – just set the antenna on the roof of your vehicle and connect it to the transceiver for instant, global communications on-the-move.

The terminal offers a range of services:

* Standard IP up to 384kbps. This works well, for example, for long-haul trucks staying in contact with their suppliers who, in turn, can keep a watchful eye on their precious cargo. Also for rapid response teams who need to send photographs of disaster zones, to help with assessment of deteriorating situations.

* Streaming data at 32, 64 and 128kbps – suitable for paramedics sending continuous vital signs back to a medical centre while still on the move and for disaster recovery teams streaming video and interviews to the media.

* Voice services. Offering one cross-border roaming rate, international rail services can provide a single, reliable service independent of specific country networks. First responders also have access to independent, reliable communications while restoring an area hit by natural disaster.

It works down to a 5 degree elevation – whether stationary or moving at speed. Inmarsat’s efficient spot-beam handover allows it to operate seamlessly over long distances without losing voice or data connections. It’s also able to withstand some degree of outage thanks to Inmarsat’s clever blockage-recovery algorithm. And the Explorer 325 even tolerates going under bridges and behind buildings and trees without loss of connectivity.

Plastiki Relies on FleetBroadband Satellite Communications to Deliver Environmental Message

Portable Satellite internet and satellite voice communications enabled by a solar-powered Thrane & Thrane Sailor 500 FleetBroadband terminal were key components of a unique ocean voyage intended to draw world attention to the crisis of waste dumped in our oceans.

The Inmarsat-sponsored Plastiki is a unique catamaran made from 12,500 recycled plastic bottles and self-reinforcing PET (recyclable plastic). During a 128-day voyage of over 8,000 nautical miles from San Francisco to Sydney, the crew conducted over 90 media interviews via FleetBroadband – resulting in more than 300 print articles, 200 radio and TV broadcasts, and more than 1,000 mentions on websites.

With video production equipment from Livewire Digital and airtime sponsored by Inmarsat distribution partner Stratos, the expedition was able to send store-and-forward video to its own website and the world’s media.

Internet and Voice Satellite Communications Enable Global Conversation

The Plastiki set out from San Francisco on March 20, 2010 with the aim of alerting the world to the impact of single-use plastics on the health of our oceans. Every day the crew reported seeing evidence of man’s waste – from plastic bags, bottles, and styrene foam containers to abandoned buoys and large plastic trays.

Expedition leader David de Rothschild said “One of the founding principles of the Plastiki expedition was to create a global conversation around the issues and the solutions needed in order to beat waste, especially the plastic pollution that plagues our oceans. Without FleetBroadband and Inmarsat’s unwavering commitment and vision to support our call to action, the Plastiki wouldn’t have been able to reach the global audience it has – and in turn create such an immense voice for change.”

The crew also used FleetBroadband satellite communications capabilities to keep in touch with colleagues and family onshore. Skipper Jo Royle said: “I have never experienced such clarity in ship-to-shore communications. Inmarsat technology has totally revolutionised my job. We can now enjoy life at sea and remain connected with developments on shore.”

Fleetbroadband is a maritime communications service providing broadband data and voice simultaneously. The Sailor 500 FleetBroadband offers data speeds of up to 432kbps.

Customers Appreciate MSAT-G2 Mobile Satellite Radio

Naples, FL. – The MSAT -G2 satellite radio by SkyTerra (now part of LightSquared) is a real-time, satellite voice-based service that provides point-to-multipoint and point-to-point communication at the push of a button. The MSAT-G2, designed for use on the MSAT network, is a cost-effective and reliable alternative to land-based two-way radio systems. It supports continent-wide Push-to-Talk (PTT) Satellite Dispatch Radio and Circuit Switched Voice and Data Satellite communications with GPS capability and flexible interconnectivity. There is a wide variety of 3rd party interoperability interfaces as well, extending the reach of traditional Land Mobile Radio technology that doesn’t exist with any other North American Satellite Constellation.

Customers include first responders and other professionals in homeland security, public safety, emergency response, search and rescue, police, utilities, transportation, and more. International Satellite Services’ customers are among those requesting the MSAT-G2 satellite radio. The following features and benefits appeal to these customers.

System Benefits

• Seamless coverage: Satellites act as one big radio tower for all of North America. Users don’t have to worry about service interruptions associated with roaming because it is all one network.
• Network flexibility: MSAT terminals can be interfaced with existing terrestrial fleet communications infrastructures.
• Interoperability: Talkgroups can be configured to allow for interagency communications between local, regional, and national emergency response organizations.
• Faster start-up time reduced up-front costs: Subscribers avoid having to develop, launch, and support their own private networks.
• Coverage flexibility: The coverage footprint also allows subscribers to expand or reduce dispatch radio coverage as their needs change.
• Network reliability: Satellite networks perform during emergencies when land-based communications are not available.
• Secure communications: The network employs the IMBE (Improved Multi-Band Excitation) voice codec approved by the Association of Public Safety Communications. Digital coding and scrambling prevents casual eavesdropping or monitoring of calls.

Hughes 9201 Machine to Machine (M2M) Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) Satellite Terminal Ideal for Oil, Mining, Gas, Water, and Utility Industries

Remote Site Management

Naples, FL. – The Hughes 9201 mobile BGAN satellite terminal is a rugged, easy to use portable satelite internet communications terminal ideal for the oil, gas, mining, water, and utility industries. This BGAN terminal is designed to withstand varying weather conditions for extended periods of time yet is small, light, and easily installed, making it an ideal solution for remote sites.

IP SCADA ready

The Hughes 9201 M2M is an excellent choice of satellite terminal for remote SCADA applications. It is easily packaged for continuous monitoring and control of remote sites such as well automation, pipeline monitoring, utility Smart Grid such as Smart Meter backhaul, distribution automation, and substation SCADA.

Oil, Gas, Water and Mining Applications

The Hughes 9201 M2M is ideal for operational well data collection such as electronic flow measurement, pressure, and custody transfer data reading.

It is also installed at natural gas sites to enable remote monitoring and control of the compressor responsible for pushing high volumes of natural gas through the pipeline transmission system.

The Hughes 9201 BGAN Satellite terminal is not only used for purposes of data collection, but also for delivering critical and time-sensitive command and control instructions to downhole systems. This increases well performance and production, saving the operator time and money and increasing the producer’s revenues due to the information provided for real-time decision making. Engineers from anywhere in the world can access the site remotely to make informed decisions on well site management.

Utility Applications

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Smart Meter Backhaul: Thousands of residential and business wireless smart meters send usage data back to a collector point. The collector point sends the aggregate data over the Hughes 9201-M2M to the utility’s data center. It can be deployed at utility poles to enable control of Smart Grid infrastructure such as reclosers, fault indicators, capacitor banks, etc.

Substation Communications: To dramatically enhance communication link availability at a substation, a Hughes 9201-M2M can operate as the backup path for automatic failover when the primary line fails.

Disaster Preparedness/Business Continuity Solutions: The Hughes 9201-M2M can be used for critical communications during the recovery period immediately following a catastrophic event that interrupts utility services.

It can also be connected to AMI collection points to deliver Smart Meter data from meters on residences and businesses. AMI enables readings for billing, service connections and disconnections; and consumer remote control over the Internet of lights, thermostats, and appliances, proactively reducing electricity usage costs. Utilities can manage peak loads where generation costs are high, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping measure and mitigate the risk of blackouts.

Mining Applications

Large and expensive assets like earth shovels in remote mining pits around the world require 24 hour monitoring to avoid potential electronic issues that can lead to any one of the thousands of components on the shovels to fail in remote locations. These issues can result in the shovels breaking down which leads to loss of productivity and thousands of dollars in lost revenue. This important real time data allows for potential problems to be detected early on eliminating loss of productivity.

About International Satellite Services, Inc.

ISSI offers satellite communications solutions over all five of the major commercial satellite constellations and is expanding and upgrading those offerings constantly. Its customer base covers the full spectrum from some the world’s largest Fortune 500 companies to our military to the vessels that service the oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico to small “mom and pop” operated fishing boats in the South Pacific.

Brazilian oilfield supply fleet taps into faster satellite communications with Fleetbroadband 250

Fleetbroadband 250 satellite terminals are providing essential high speed connectivity for a fleet of supply ships serving recently-discovered oilfields off the coast of Brazil. Oil supply ship operator Astromaritima is equipping its fleet with Fleetbroadband internet satellite services.

Reliable Satellite Communications Needed

Potentially massive oil reserves in a geological region known as the ‘pre-salt’ layer were discovered 170 miles off shore in the Atlantic in 2007. Brazilian energy company Petrobras, Astromaritima’s largest customer, plans to produce 5.7 million barrels of oil and gas a day by 2020.

Claudio Salem, IT manager for Astromaritima, said the oil companies working in the pre-salt region needed reliable and efficient satellite communications equipment to send data from vessels to base, to send email, and to make calls.

Already three of Astromaritima’s vessels have been supplied with the terminals and the long-term plan will be to install Fleetbroadband 250 (FB250) on all 18 vessels by the end of the year, to support estimated data traffic volumes of 20 megabytes per month.

Fleetbroadband for Maritime Communications

Fleetbroadband is a maritime satellite communications service providing portable satellite internet and voice simultaneously. The Fleetbroadband 250 offers data speeds of up to 284 kbps and streaming IP up to 128 kbps. With simultaneous access to satellite data, internet and voice services the supply ships will have reliable access to sea chart and online weather data, route planning and crew calling all at the same time, contributing to operational efficiency.

“We can really put into practice every control wanted on our vessels,” Astromaritima’s Salem said.

by Jon Aldrich

Mobile Satellite communication technology has evolved over the years not unlike the evolutionary progression of other technological innovation. Take computers for example. Early computers cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and required a battery of MIT graduates to operate them. They filled complete rooms, even requiring their own air conditioning systems. Only the largest of corporations employed them. Of course now, computers are small enough to fit in your pocket, can be operated by small children and are affordable by nearly everyone.

Similarly, shopping for a satellite communication terminal just 30 years ago would have required tens of thousands of dollars to purchase, the same MIT degree to operate and a couple of strong backs just to transport it. The Inmarsat constellation was your ONLY option. Just 15 years later (in 1995) Mitsubishi rolled out the first “portable” satellite terminal operating on the newly launched MSAT satellite constellation. The briefcase sized Mitsubishi ST151, eye popping at the time, weighed in at 30 pounds and cost approximately $3,500.00. While representing a significant breakthrough in satellite communications, the ST151 would dominate the portable satellite terminal market for LESS than one year.

1996 ushered in a truly revolutionary phase in personal satellite communications with the launching by Inmarsat of the mini-M terminal. Priced about the same as the ST151, the mini-M weighed in at less than 6 pounds. The laptop sized terminal would offer virtually “plug and play” data (albeit slow speed) and voice quality heretofore unmatched by any previous satellite terminal. Unlike the 151, which had a North America footprint only, the mini-M could be used virtually anywhere in the world. It would dominate the personal satellite communications market for several years as it brought satellite communications within the financial and technological reach of just about anyone.

In 1998 Iridium launched its worldwide “canopy” of 64 satellites and rolled out the first truly handheld satellite terminal. Slightly smaller than the early “bag” cellular phone, the Iridium handheld satellite phone would again revolutionize personal portable satellite communications. Just a few years later that bag sized phone would shrink to not much larger than today’s cell phones and at a cost of less than $1,000.00. Now just about anyone who had reason to travel beyond landline or cellular service has an affordable communications option.

As with the development of many industries, there have been breakthroughs and advances to satellite technology followed by failures and set backs. Not every constellation has been successful from the outset. Market projections by some companies have been overly optimistic which has lead to bankruptcies by those providers. Competition remains fierce as too many providers vie for too few customers. The industry continues to sort itself out as the strong constellations get stronger and as consolidation between providers continues to evolve. The ultimate beneficiary of all of this will be, as it always is, the consumer.

In business since 1996, International Satellite Services (ISS) is proud to represent all of the major commercial satellite constellations including MSAT, IRIDIUM, INMARSAT, THURAYA and VSAT. Regardless of whether you may need an inexpensive and simple hand held satellite phone for emergencies, two-way “flat rate” unlimited Voice via satellite Dispatch Radio or a highly sophisticated high speed data satellite solution (Fleetbroadband) for a fleet of vessels, ISS can help you.

Our customers cover the full spectrum from some the world’s largest Fortune 500 companies to our military to a small “mom and pop” operated fishing boat in the South Pacific, with almost everything imaginable in between. We are particularly proud of our growing list of satisfied customers in the oil and gas exploration, drilling sector and mining industry. We have a strong commitment to those “vertical markets” as we believe they offer huge opportunities for growth. Ask us for a list of our satisfied customers. ISS has built its reputation on treating each and every customer as if they were our ONLY customer.