Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has confirmed the successful launch and acquisition of the third Inmarsat-4 satellite.

The satellite was launched on a Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:43pm BST on 18 August (4:43am 19th August, local time). Inmarsat's tracking station in Fucino, Italy was able to track the satellite while it was still coupled to the Breeze M launch vehicle. Launch provider ILS confirmed successful spacecraft separation at 8:46am BST on 19 August.

The satellite is the third in the I-4 constellation, concluding a decade of development and a US$1.5 billion investment. The current constellation of two Inmarsat-4 satellites delivers mobile broadband services to 85 per cent of the world's landmass, covering 98 per cent of the world's population. The third I-4 will complete the global coverage for Inmarsat's broadband services.

Global Coverage
Andrew Sukawaty, chief executive and chairman of Inmarsat, said: "The Inmarsat-4s are the world's most sophisticated commercial network for mobile voice and data services, and the successful launch of the third I-4 allows us to complete the global coverage for our broadband services. Once the third I-4 is operational, Inmarsat will have the only fully-funded next-generation network for mobile satellite services."

The Proton Breeze M is one of the few launch vehicles capable of lifting the I-4 satellite - the size of a London double-decker bus and weighing six tons - into geostationary transfer orbit. The I-4 F3 satellite will now undergo a period of deployment and several weeks of comprehensive tests and manoeuvres before being positioned in geostationary orbit at 98º West.

Inmarsat satellites are currently relied on by the world's shipping, oil exploration, defence and aviation industries to service their communications needs. Inmarsat is also the communications channel of choice for the media when reporting from the world's danger zones and for NGOs, government agencies and the United Nations when coordinating rescue efforts.

Mobile broadband coverage of the world will move a step closer with the forthcoming launch of the third and final Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellite.

The launch is now scheduled for 22:43 UTC on 18 August on board a Proton M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The new date was announced following a short delay caused by a fault discovered during testing of the Proton.

Geostationary orbitThe Proton M will carry the Inmarsat-4 F3 into geostationary orbit at 35,786km (22,240 miles).

Once tested and operational, the I-4 F3 will be provide satellite phone and mobile broadband services to North and South America at 98 degrees west.

And together with its two sister satellites, already in orbit, the completed constellation will deliver full and seamless global coverage for our entire range of broadband mobile satellite services.

Dear BGAN Customer,

We are pleased to inform you that firmware version 2.11.3 for Explorer 100/110 and (the Nera branded) WorldPro 1000/1010 is now available for download from the Inmarsat website at http://www.inmarsat.com/support/BGAN. This firmware release will also also be available for download from BGAN LaunchPad shortly. Please see the attached briefing note for installation instructions and change details.

Inmarsat recommends that all customers install this release. Enhancements included in this version are specifically for the Explorer 100/100 and WorldPro 1000/1010 to support future BGAN network upgrades. Please note this firmware is not required for any other BGAN terminal than those listed above.

Whilst there are no planned BGAN network upgrades that will affect these terminals, Inmarsat always recommends users to have the latest firmware installed in order to future proof BGAN devices.

If you are upgrading the firmware on a WorldPro then your terminal will automatically become equivalent to a TT Explorer. WorldPro users should also note that they will also need to use the latest version of LaunchPad (v3.7.0) as well as the latest USB drivers subsequent to upgrading with this firmware release. The latest LaunchPad and USB drivers are available from the Inmarsat BGAN support website and via BGAN LaunchPad.

Should you wish to discuss further please do not hesitate to contact the customer service team either by email to support@bganbss.inmarsat.com

Global broadband coverage moves a step closer next month with the launch of the third and final Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellite.

Lift off is scheduled for 22:46 UTC (23:46 BST) on 13 August from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the historic location for the launch of the first man-made satellite, Sputnik, in 1957 and the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, in 1961.

The I-4 F3 will be injected into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 35,786km (22,240 miles) above the Earth on a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle. Once tested and operational, it will complete the worldwide constellation of I-4 spacecraft, while delivering Inmarsat's range of advanced satellite phone and mobile broadband data services to North and South America at 98 degrees west..

Inmarsat partner SingTel ran a live demonstration of the Thrane & Thrane Explorer 727 vehicular BGAN terminal.

The event, attended by a large number of representatives from the media, took place at the CommunicAsia exhibition in Singapore.

Exhibition site
SingTel fitted a vehicle with the Explorer 727 terminal, which drove around the site of the exhibition.

Using a combination of the terminal, which features a roof-mounted antenna for constant satellite tracking on the move, and Streambox video technology, the vehicle was able to stream video footage taken from one of its windows to a screen located at SingTel’s expo stand.

Net access on the go
At the same time, some other customers in the vehicle tested the Explorer 727’s ability to connect to the internet while the vehicle was in motion.

The Explorer 727 offers users multiple voice and data interfaces, including ISDN for legacy applications, and four Ethernet ports.

Inmarsat has confirmed that the third Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellite – the final piece of the jigsaw for provision of global broadband coverage – is scheduled to be launched aboard a Proton Breeze-M rocket on 14 August.
The launch will take place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Enhanced coverage
The launch of the third I-4 will open up Inmarsat’s dynamic FleetBroadband service to a truly worldwide audience, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of shared IP access at speeds of up to 432kbps, as well as streaming IP assured access at speeds of up to 256kbps.

And, with SMS and videoconferencing capabilities included, FleetBroadband will open up significant opportunities for shipowners and operators, regardless of their location.

In addition, FleetBroadband’s global scope will lead to greatly enhanced real time video and audio coverage of maritime sporting events, such as the Volvo Ocean Race.

Early feedback from Inmarsat-supported evaluations of FleetBroadband among maritime end-users suggests that ship operators are appreciating the benefits of broadband at sea.

Ten companies are taking part in the trials of FleetBroadband, called martime field evaluations (MFEs), two of which have been completed.

The participating companies have been split by vessel segment, with seven drawn from the deep-sea merchant sector, and one each from the fishing, government and leisure sectors.

Exceeding expectations
The terminals deployed are a mixture of JRC FB250 and Thrane & Thrane FB500 models.

Initial feedback has “exceeded expectations”, with many of the participants enjoying their first taste of IP-based broadband communications, says Inmarsat maritime market manager Kartik Sinha.

Inmarsat has been able to make the evaluations as smooth as possible by offering remote assistance from its London HQ.

Flexible options
Inmarsat’s applications team can access the onboard terminals remotely and step in with expert advice should any troubleshooting be required.

A JRC FB250 and Thrane & Thrane FB500, both static, have been installed in the London solutions lab and the hub.

“If users wish to create their own scenarios, such as establishing a WiFi hotspot at a certain position on the vessel, we can test this here,” Sinha explains.

FleetBroadband LaunchPad 1.3.0

FleetBroadband LaunchPad 1.3.0 for PC is released and available for download now. Goto http://www.issi-us.net/MainNav/BGAN/Downloads.aspx to download now.

Recommendations for installation
Inmarsat advises that all customers install FleetBroadband (FB) LaunchPad 1.3.0 to take advantage of the features of this custom-designed interface to your FleetBroadband terminal.

Terminal firmware
This version of FB LaunchPad is for use with the following FleetBroadband terminals:
• JRC JUE-250.
• Thrane & Thrane SAILOR 250 and SAILOR 500 software version 1.05 or above.

Installing LaunchPad 1.3.0
You must have a PC running Windows XP before you can install FB LaunchPad 1.3.0.
Note: FB LaunchPad will be compatible with Windows Vista from end of 2008.
To install FB LaunchPad:

1. Download the installer from http://www.issi-us.net/MainNav/BGAN/Downloads.aspx.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the installer to your desktop.
3. Double-click on the LaunchPad installer.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. (If you have a version of FB LaunchPad already installed, select the Uninstall option when prompted.)

After installation, the FB LaunchPad icon is installed on your desktop. Double-click on the icon to open FB LaunchPad.

A number of guides to help you use FB LaunchPad are available for download from the Inmarsat web site. Go to www.inmarsat.com/support, click on FleetBroadband, then click on the required guide.

Using TCP Accelerator
TCP Accelerator is not included as part of FB LaunchPad. If you have not already installed TCP Accelerator, and you want to take advantage of the improved performance that TCP Accelerator provides over FleetBroadband, you must install it separately. To download TCP Accelerator, go to http://www.issi-us.net/MainNav/BGAN/Downloads.aspx, click on FleetBroadband, then click on TCP Accelerator and follow the on-screen instructions.

Fixed in this release
• This FB Launchpad 1.3.0 version supports Thrane & Thrane SAILOR 250 and SAILOR 500.

Dear Customers,
We are pleased to announce that International Launch Services (ILS) has now scheduled its next Proton launch, with the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite as its return to flight, for 14 August (13 August UTC) from the Baikonur Cosmodrone in Kazakhstan.
An announcement has been made to the London Stock Exchange this morning confirming the launch date. A copy of the actual press release is below:

McLEAN, Va., and LONDON, 1st July 2008 – Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced that International Launch Services (ILS) has scheduled its next Proton Breeze M commercial mission for 14th August (13th August GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with the launch of the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite.

The satellite is scheduled to be shipped to Baikonur in early July for a six-week launch programme.  The satellite, an EADS Astrium Eurostar 3000 model, will weigh approximately 6 metric tons at liftoff, perfectly suited for the Proton Breeze M’s lift capability.  Khrunichev Space Center of Moscow, the majority shareholder in ILS, manufactures the Proton system.

The Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite will complete Inmarsat’s next-generation global satellite network, providing broadband MSS services to users everywhere.

This is the first ILS mission since a Breeze M upper stage suffered a failure during the AMC-14 mission in March.  The Proton Breeze M is ready to return to flight now that a Russian State Commission and an ILS-led independent review panel have concluded their inquiries into that incident and corrective actions have been completed.

“Having participated in the Failure Review process in its entirety, I am satisfied that the appropriate actions have been taken to deal with recent failures and to reassess the quality of the Proton vehicle. Inmarsat now expects to transport the satellite to the launch site and complete certain other formalities in sufficient time to target the launch date announced today,” said Gene Jilg, Chief Technology Officer for Inmarsat.

”We thank Inmarsat for its support and patience,” said ILS President Frank McKenna.  “We know how important this satellite is for the continued success of Inmarsat’s growing broadband services, and we look forward to the start of the campaign in the coming days.”

- ends -

About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS provides satellite customers with a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery.  ILS has exclusive rights to market the Proton, Russia’s premier heavy-lift vehicle, to commercial satellite operators worldwide, as well as the Angara next-generation launcher.  ILS is a U.S. company incorporated in Delaware, and headquartered in McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.
Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry.  Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system.  The Proton launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of more than 330 missions since 1965.  Khrunichev includes among its branches a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation.  For more information, visit www.khrunichev.ru.

About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications.  Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organisations, 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 500 distribution partners and service providers operating in 180 countries.  For the year ended 31 December 2007, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 576.5 million.  More information can be found at www.inmarsat.com.

ThurayaIP satellite modem offers Broadband Data Service through a highly compact, ultra lightweight and advanced satellite terminal. As the world’s first and only Mobile Satellite Service to support 384 Kbps streaming IP, ThurayaIP offers superior ‘Always on’ super quick Internet access even from the most remote regions in more than 120 countries in the world.
A generation ahead in design and performance, ThurayaIP satellite broadband modem combines ultimate performance with a customized rugged design and protection to sustain rough usage. It is very portable and easy to setup - a simple plug and play mechanism that comes with user friendly graphical user interface.

ThurayaIP is ideal…
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12-06-2008 - The dramatic final days of the British Armed Forces' Makalu 2008 expedition were relayed to the world via BGAN as four teams reached the end of an exhausting six weeks in the Himalaya.

Family, friends, sponsors and an avid online audience of thousands saw daily updates in words, pictures and video relayed via Inmarsat's broadband global network to the expedition website. 

The main team in the joint services' Makalu 2008 expedition successfully summitted three of its number on Makalu at 8,463 metres (27,770 ft), approaching up the southern slopes.

South-east ridge
The success of Flight Lieutenant Jonathon Percival and his Sherpa, Dawa, was followed a few days later by Major Matt Hing and Lieutenant Lara Herbert with their sherpas, Dendi and Dayula.

A team scaling via the south-east ridge were less fortunate. Despite reaching further along the ridge than any other team since 1976, the final push for the peak proved elusive.

After First Warrant Officer Dick Gale suffered from a sore throat and possible chest infection, south-east team leader Squadron Leader Colin Scot