Inmarsat Appoints First Land Terminal Manufacturing Partners for Global Xpress(R)
LONDON, September 6, 2012/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
- Strong market endorsement for Global Xpress(R) land satellite terminal
- Cobham Satcom, Paradigm Comm and Skyware Global sign up as manufacturing
launch partners
- New HDR terminals to support global service introduction
Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications
services, today announced it has signed Cobham Satcom, Paradigm Comm and Skyware Global as
initial launch partners for land satellite terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress
[http://www.inmarsatgx.com ] service.
Scheduled for service introduction in 2014, Global Xpress will offer unprecedented
high data rate (HDR) bandwidth and global coverage. The Ka-band satellite network will
provide super-fast uplink and downlink data rates, all backed by Inmarsat quality
standards, performance and global reach.
Inmarsat's Global Xpress partner companies will manufacture commercial land satellite
terminals from 0.6 to 2.4 metres (either in a manual configuration or a fully
automatic/automatic acquire configuration) covering the fixed, transportable, 'fly-away'
and 'manpack' terminal types. The range of terminals has been specifically designed for
operation in the Ka-band and will utilise a new Core Module developed by VT iDirect
("iDirect"). Working together, iDirect's Core Module and the partners' terminals will
provide state-of-the-art capabilities, fully consistent with the Global Xpress objective
of delivering up to 50Mbps downlink speeds with 60cm aperture terminals.
The signing of the first three land terminal manufacturing partners represents a
strong endorsement of Inmarsat's Global Xpress service innovation, and will ensure
availability of high-speed Global Xpress land satellite terminals at service introduction.
Leo Mondale, Managing Director of Global Xpress, said: "Cobham Satcom, Paradigm Comm
and Skyware Global have demonstrated leadership in the VSAT terminal marketplace, and we
are delighted that they are now formally part of our programme to deliver on the Global
Xpress promise. Their experience and expertise in their key market segments will ensure
that customers will quickly benefit from the introduction of new generation, high data
rate services."
About Cobham Satcom
Cobham Satcom (Formerly TracStar Systems, Inc.) was founded in 1996 to address the
mobile satellite communications industry. Located in Orlando, Florida, TracStar has been
manufacturing state-of-the-art, low cost inertial stabilization and satellite tracking
systems since March of 1999. Coming from industry leaders such as Andrew Corporation and
Harris Corporation, the founding partners had extensive backgrounds in stabilized antenna
systems and telecommunications products for consumer, commercial and government markets.
Continuing into 2012, TracStar has manufactured and licensed technology for the
manufacture of over 15,000 in-motion satellite TV antenna systems used primarily in the
recreational vehicle marketplace.
In September, 2005, TracStar was acquired by Cobham plc and joined the Cobham Antennas
group. Now a part of the SATCOM Strategic Business Unit of Cobham, TracStar continues to
grow and develop products for the mobile TV, Ku, Ka, X and C Band markets for
auto-acquire, in-motion, and manual deploy antennas. Since the acquisition, TracStar has
continued to introduce control system features that lead the industry with products such
as inclined and high inclined orbit tracking, auto-detecting of feed type on multiband
antennas, DirectPoint software to minimize acquisition times, TracLRI which allows any
user access to a GUI client for remote antenna operation, TracPSD which monitors Power
Spectral Density on the satellite for COTM antennas. And the newly introduced LVT products
set performance standards for multiband sub1M antennas.
http://www.cobham.com [C:\Documents and Settings\Chris McLaughlin\Local
Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\48EDWYDF\www.cobham.com ]
About Paradigm Communication Systems Ltd.
Paradigm provides optimal, innovative Communication and control solutions by
delivering functionality, performance, reliability, and service at a competitive price.
Paradigm is based in the UK and is private and independently owned. With Europe's
largest SATCOM Warehouse and an extensive logistics capability, Paradigm is in a position
to provide services globally. From the provision of satcom equipment to the design and
installation of complete turnkey systems, Paradigm aim to provide innovative solutions.
Paradigm has experience designing and delivering customised satellite terminals and
earth-stations for specific industries. Our close relationships with our end user
customers gives us a valuable insight into their key requirements.
Skyware Global is a leading manufacturer of satellite terminal solutions for a wide
range of applications including Direct-To-Home, Ka Broadband, Enterprise VSAT, and
transportable tactical terminals. Skyware Global is the leading designer and manufacturer
of Satellite Antenna Products covering C-Band, Ku-Band, and the emerging Ka-Band frequency
platforms. The extensive range of products include Consumer Broadband equipment providing
connectivity to customers for Internet access, complete antennas, electronics and mounts
for virtual private networks and rural telecommunications, DTH antennas and electronics
for home satellite systems, and leading edge Tactical Ground Systems for tactical,
emergency communications, and broadcast applications. In addition to hardware, Skyware
Global provides solutions-based services such as turn-key design, engineering, product
integration and program management. We also offer a variety of value-added services such
as RF testing, fulfilment, and logistics. Skyware Global is the industry's only complete
ODU systems supplier.
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 1,500
staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and
centres of commerce on every continent. For the year ended 31st December 2011, Inmarsat
plc had total revenue of US$1,409m and an EBITDA of US$854m. For the six months ended 30
June 2012, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$684m and an EBITDA of US$381m. Inmarsat is
listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L).
Media contact for Cobham: David Provencher, General Manager, Office: +1-407-650-9054, Cell: +1-407-256-3259, david.provencher@cobham.com; Media contact for Paradigm: Mike Holdsworth, Head of Marketing, Tel: +44(0)420-88199, Mike.Holdsworth@paracomm.co.uk; Media contact for Skyware, David Geen, VP Tactical Ground Systems, Skyware Global, Tel: +44(0)7734-401551, DavidGeen@SkywareGlobal.com; Media contact for Inmarsat: Chris McLaughlin, Tel: +44(0)77-9627-6033, VP, External Affairs, Inmarsat,.christopher.mclaughlin@inmarsat.com; Bell Pottinger for Inmarsat, Neville Rawlings, T: +44(0)207-861-2502, nrawlings@bell-pottinger.co.uk