LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced the selection of Cobham plc as the initial launch partner for maritime satellite terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress service. Sea Tel, a subsidiary of Cobham, has been awarded contracts to develop, manufacture, test and distribute Global Xpress maritime satellite terminals. As initial launch partner, Sea Tel will ensure availability of Global Xpress maritime satellite terminals at service introduction planned for 2013.
Sea Tel will develop a new terminal specifically designed for operation in the Ka-band and will utilize a new Core Module developed by VT iDirect (iDirect). Working together, iDirect’s Core Module and Sea Tel’s Marine Terminal will provide state-of-the-art capabilities fully consistent with the Global Xpress objective of delivering up to 50Mbps downlink speeds to 60cm aperture terminals. As part of this contract, Sea Tel will distribute the new terminals and provide training and support prior to the launch of the first satellite.
Leo Mondale, Managing Director of the Global Xpress programme, comments: “Global Xpress is pleased to be working with Sea Tel, the maritime VSAT market leader. This agreement, and the just announced agreement with iDirect, unites the strongest suppliers in maritime VSAT with Inmarsat's high-performance Ka system architecture. We are working together to provide maritime customers with the outstanding quality, global coverage and seamless mobility they have come to expect from Inmarsat.”
“Sea Tel is thrilled to be selected as the launch partner for Global Xpress,” said Rick Pearson, General Manager of Sea Tel. “We have decades’ long experience in designing the highest performing maritime antenna systems and pedestals for L, C, Ku and X band and have worked closely with Inmarsat on the specifications for the new 60cm Ka-band terminal. Global Xpress will use the latest technology across all components of the systems and allow Sea Tel the opportunity to build the next generation of the most rugged and reliable maritime terminals for Inmarsat’s next generation Ka-band satellites.”
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc (LSE:ISAT) 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. The company's services are delivered through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service providers operating in 100 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2009, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,038.1 million (2008: US$996.7 million) with an EBITDA of US$594.2 million (2008: US$531.2 million). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.
About Cobham
Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 75 years, keeping people safe, improving communications, and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has three divisions employing more than 11,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of some £1.9bn / $3 billion.