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Now any broadcaster from local news agencies up to CNN can transmit live data feeds from remote locations with the help of BGAN. There are cost effective solutions that range from just the talking heads with very little movement, to higher bandwidth applications that require more movement and to the premium services offered by BGAN X-Stream which provides HD type picture quality and can support 360 degrees of movement in the picture. Nothing is the industry of Mobile Satellite Communications supports faster broadband satellite data speeds than with BGAN X-Stream.

Inmarsat and their partners offer smaller broadcasters and freelancers with live video solutions in remote areas of the world to meet any budget. The new managed solutions are compatible with all BGAN IP streaming pricing and offer a wide range of potential combinations, making live video via BGAN the optimum choice for any news team. These solutions have been created to integrate with broadcasters’ current infrastructure. If the end user has no existing infrastructure, cost effective options are available as well.

Solution 1 is a streamlined version of the system used by leading networks to transmit live video via BGAN. With a 12-month subscription, end-users can either own or lease high-end encoding and decoding equipment. They can use their own infrastructure,(for example ISDN), lease a temporary line or use the internet to feed the live link back to headquarters. This set up esures great results and the technical aspect has been kept as simple as possible.

Solution 2 is a simpler, post paid or pay-as-you-go version of solution 1, with an even greater control of costs. Contracts are month to month, so there is no long-term subscription. The end users in the field use a free encoder, while decoding takes place on the solution provider’s server,so the customer has no need to buy, or hire, hardware.

Solution 3 leverages the Content Delivery Networks of Inmarsat distribution partners for a low cost, end-to-end supervised solution for live video transmissions. This option can be leased on a monthly basis, includes a free software encoder/decoder, and is billed as part of the user’s per-minute BGAN streaming cost.

LightSquared’s proposal outlined a three-part solution for resolving GPS interference issues involving GPS devices, detailed in recommendations filed at the FCC June 30. GPS device test results, which were also filed at the FCC, show unequivocally that the interference is caused by the GPS device manufacturer’s decision during the past eight years to design products that depend on using spectrum assigned to other FCC licensees, the report said.

“The GPS device manufacturers, unlike relevant government agencies, have been largely uninterested in finding a win-win solution,” said a LightSquared statement. “Rather, their only answer to a problem of their own making is to demand that the government simply block LightSquared from using the company’s own spectrum … This is a problem that the GPS industry could have avoided by equipping their devices over the last several years with filters that cost as little as 5 cents each.”

The testing results released show LightSquared’s proposed solution resolves interference for about 99.5 percent of all commercial GPS devices – including 100 percent of the 300 million GPS-enabled cell phones, the company said. LightSquared said issues remain with precision GPS devices, and it is committed to finding a solution.

“This issue will be resolved by good data, smart engineers and good-faith problem solving dialog,’ said Sanjiv Ahuja, LightSquared chairman and CEO. “The end-result will be continuity for the reliable and safe GPS system we have come to depend on, along with a new high-speed wireless network that will provide huge benefits to consumers.”

LightSquared officials said they need the cooperation of the GPS industry. “LightSquared believes cooperation is the least to expect from an industry that built a business by piggy-backing on the federal government’s GPS network without any investment in infrastructure or spectrum,” a statement said. A recent Brattle Group study, funded by LightSquared, showed that the commercial GPS industry’s ability to use the U.S. government’s GPS network amounts to an $18 billion federal subsidy.

This article originated here

Captain Sig Hansen and crew of the poplular reality show “The Deadliest Catch” utilize Inmarsat’s Fleetbroadband high speed satellite terminal out at sea. Never before have the crew of the Northwestern had such instant access to communication. All on board are able to speak as often as they like to family and friends back on the mainland when terrestrial connectivity isn’t feasible. The guys also have access to high speed internet and email capability 24/7. According to Sig however, the priorities on the Northwestern are work, sleep and eating so this doesn’t leave a lot of time for other activities but having Fleetbroadband on board provides a peace of mind for the crew that at least the communications options are available.

More importantly, should a member of the crew have an accident which according to Sig, occasionally happens as they use knives on board for different purposes. Should someone get cut, they have immediate access to doctors back on the mainland that can assess the situation. They can actually show the wounds via skype and/or photos they upload and send via data transfer to the doctor who then offer solutions remotely. Never before has technology played more of an important role for crew welfare and saftely on a vessel hundreds of miles offshore.. according to Sig. Fleetbroadband makes this possible.

Check out the video below

Initially, Sig Hansen Captain of the Northwestern was skeptical about using the Fleetbroadband Satellite System. He decided he would put it to the test so they installed the Satellite antenna on the highest point of the Northwestern vessel for two reasons. One, to get the best signal possible, and two, to test it’s durablility against the vibration of the moving vessel. According to Sig, the Fleetbroadband passed the test with flying colors under the duress of heavy seas moving at 10 knots. See the video below.

LightSquared™, the nation’s first wholesale-only integrated 4G-LTE wireless broadband and satellite network, announced today a plan to ensure the nation’s public safety community continues to have satellite Push-to-Talk and other critical communications features that it has come to depend on as LightSquared moves to next generation satellite services.

LightSquared’s satellite network has played a critical role in federal, state and local public safety communications in emergencies dating back to 1996, including Hurricane Katrina and the recent series of devastating tornadoes that swept through Joplin, Missouri. LightSquared’s next generation satellite service will continue to ensure seamless communications among multiple law enforcement and public safety agencies at the federal, state and local levels. These agencies have come to depend on the reliable interoperable communications capabilities that LightSquared provides.

As part of this plan, LightSquared will:

• Replace the current LightSquared public safety devices at no cost and continue tosupport older devices through 2014.
• Work with the public safety community to design next generation LightSquared devices that meet the rugged standards demanded by public safety workers who work in a wide range of hostile conditions and environments.
• Continue to support the Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talkgroup (SMART) program on which public safety agencies nationwide rely to communicate.

“For police, fire and rescue, satellite communications is a critical backstop when traditional networks go down or become overloaded by demand during natural disasters and other emergencies. Public safety depends on satellite communications when other networks fail, and LightSquared’s investment in Push-to-Talk will literally help save lives in coming years,’’ said
Bob Spieldenner, director of public affairs, Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

LightSquared’s next generation mobile satellite communications service will continue to have full interoperability with multiple public safety networks around the nation, a critical tool in national and local emergencies. Ubiquitous interoperable communications has been a goal of the public safety community for many years and was highlighted immediately after the 2001 terror attacks when first responders were hindered in their ability to coordinate with each other because they used incompatible communications systems.

“In an emergency, the last thing public safety workers should have to worry about is their ability to communicate with each other. That’s why LightSquared is committed to the SMART program, ensuring that the men and women on the front lines have communication devices that connect them to each other or to a federal agency thousands of miles away,’’ said Sanjiv Ahuja, chairman and chief executive officer of LightSquared. In addition, LightSquared has formed its own Emergency Rapid Response Team that is prepared to travel to troubled areas to assist first responders at the local, state and federal level with interoperable satellite communications.

Article original source here

Follow these steps when you receive your iSatPhone Pro

Once you receive the phone, to activate the sim, please call ISS @ 888-511-3403 or email support at [email protected]. For security purposes, we don’t activate the sim card until it arrives safely to the customer. We take the liberty of installing your sim card for you so it’s already in the phone. ISS will send you your phone number the moment the sim card has been activated. We advise you to charge your phone’s battery prior to using. It is also a good idea to read the quick start guide that is included in the box with the phone.

To register with the Inmarsat network:

Turn the phone on and extend the antenna toward the position of the nearest satellite. Stand in an open area free from obstructions such as buildings, trees or mountains blocking the view between you and the satellite.

Searching satellite will appear on the screen. The top left of the screen will display Inmarsat when your phone is connected to the satellite along with two quick audible beeps indicating your phone is connected to the network. The signal bars reveal the signal strength. At least two signal bars are required to make and receive calls.

Before you can make a call, your phone requires a GPS fix so it can be located by the satellite. This should happen automatically, but if a new GPS fix is needed, the GPS icon will be displayed. Keep the phone in the open with a clear view of the sky until the icon disappears. Your phone is now ready to make and receive calls. Check out “Obtaining a GPS fix manually” on page 29 of the phones user guide for more information

The more open sky you can see the stronger the signal strength. If open sky makes up about 70% of your view when you look up, then the signal should be strong. At the perimeter of the coverage zone (close to the poles), it may be necessary to point the antenna more directly at the satellite for network registration.

To make a call:

Use the international dialing sequence of 00 or +, followed by the country code, area code (without the two zeros) and telephone number, then press the green key to connect the call.

Voicemail is enabled on your IsatPhone Pro by default. however you need to configure call forwarding ‘if not available’ in order for incoming calls to be forwarded to your voicemail while you are not available. You can find this setting in your IsatPhone Pro’s menu options. Your phone automatically checks for voicemails shortly after it has been turned on and is connected to the network. It will also send you voicemails that arrive while you are connected to the network. If you have a new voicemail, the voicemail icon will appear in the status bar at the top of the main screen and in Info. To listen to the message, hold down the #1 key on the keypad for a few seconds and your phone will automatically connect you to your voicemail. Alternatively, you can dial the short code of 570.

Watch this video Tutorial



BGAN via the Inmarsat satellite network has been deployed on a mission to salvage famous geologist Sir Douglas Mawson’s vintage aircraft. The location of the first aircraft was confirmed by Australia’s Antarctic Heritage Expedition. BGAN portable satellite terminal was used to update blogs, send pictures and videos to record this amazing event.

Communications officer Dr David Tingay said the Hughes 9201 BGAN terminal supplied by Inmarsat service provider Satcomms Australia was very easy to use and very fast.

“The instructions supplied with the unit are excellent and the BGAN LaunchPad software is very intuitive,” said David.

GPS function

“While the BGAN unit needed to be pointing towards the Equator, the GPS function and LaunchPad enabled us to determine the correct angle and point the unit precisely.”

A dedicated communications area was set up in the north eastern part of the Sorensen Hut which was utilized by the conversation team members.

“The BGAN terminal gave us the ability to provide a large number of photos and blogs to our expedition website,” he added.

“The reports we received suggested this greatly enhanced the website. This benefit is less easy to quantify but needs to be factored in when evaluating the cost of using BGAN.”

Ask any 20 people on the street what they know about the mobile satellite communications business, 10 will say “you mean like Sprint or Verizon?” A few will ask “like Dish Network, you mean satellite TV?” A few more will just give you a blank stare. MAYBE you’ll find 1 person who has heard of Iridium…”oh yes, that handheld satellite phone gadget thing”? Hooray, thank you for not confusing it with the chemical element of atomic number 77.

The mobile satellite communications business really originated back in the late 1970’s when Inmarsat rolled out the first commercially available communications satellite. 20 years later, there were less than 1 million customers worldwide, today, still less than 2 million end users globally. Inmarsat, still the largest of all of the commercially available communications satellite constellations, did just over 250 million dollars in revenue last year…, not very much relative to other industries, especially when you consider the huge investment (billions of dollars) required to launch and maintain these very expensive and complex constellations (satellites)!

Mobile Satellite communications is the “definition” of a niche business. Almost without fail, if there is ANY other alternative available, cell phones, land lines, 2 juice cans and a string, smoke signals, you name it, it will be less expensive than satellite. Combine the “sticker shock” that generally applies to one’s first exposure to satellite communications with the “perceived” complexity of the product and you’ve gone a long way towards explaining the reason for the limited market. We haven’t even mentioned the fact that most people seldom if ever even venture into the realm where there are no landlines or cell phones available and therefore have no reason to ever be exposed to satellite communications.

So why is there even a satellite communications industry, if there aren’t very many customers and they don’t generate that much revenue? Because the people that need it REALLY need it, and they’re willing to pay for it because other options don’t exist. Mobile Satellite communications is always the choice of last resort for anyone who requires communicating in remote parts of the world, but nevertheless, it is a choice. It is the lifeblood of the shipping industry, oil and gas exploration and recovery, emergency and disaster relief operations, aircraft communications and navigation. It plays an absolutely vital role in military operations throughout the world. It isn’t too much of a stretch to say that life as we know it today would be very different if it were not for satellite communications. It touches EVERYONE, whether they realize it or not.

Inmarsat, the world’s premier provider or mobile satellite communications, is proud to announce the signing of a contract with International Launch Services (ILS) to launch the new Inmarsat-5 satellite on board ILS’ Proton launch vehicle. The three state-of-the-art 702HP Ka-band spacecraft, currently being built by Boeing, are scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrone in Kazakhstan in 2013-2014. The I-5’s will support Inmarsats forthcoming Global Xpress™ network.

Including launch costs, Inmarsat will invest an estimated US$1.2 billion in the Global Xpress program. Global Xpress will offer seamless global coverage and deliver unprecedented mobile broadband speeds of up to 50Mbps, providing Global access to all sectors of the market, including government, maritime, enterprise, energy and aeronautical.

Inmarsats most recent launch, the Inmarsat-4, was successfully carried out by ILS from Baikonur in August 2008. The Proton vehicle is Russia’s premier heavy-lift launcher and is built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the majority owner of ILS. The Proton has successfully launched 31 consecutive missions since July 2008, 365 missions since its maiden flight in 1965.

“Selecting a launch services provider is a critical part of realizing our Global Xpress vision,” said Andrew Sukawaty, chairman and CEO of Inmarsat. “Our agreement with ILS shows that we are well on track with our aggressive program for Global Xpress, with service planned to start in 2013. We have partnered with ILS and Khrunichev for previous launches, and look forward to a successful campaign for Inmarsat-5.”