View source for Company:Inmarsat

{{Short description|British satellite communications company}}
{{Infobox company
| name             = Inmarsat Global Ltd.
| logo             = Inmarsat.svg
| type             = [[Social:Subsidiary|Subsidiary]]
| foundation       = {{start date and age|1979}}
| location         = London, England
| key_people       = {{unbulleted list
  | {{wd-chairperson}}
  | {{wd-ceo}}
  }}
| revenue          = {{US$|1,465.2}}&nbsp;million (2018)<ref name=prelims>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/content/dam/inmarsat/corporate/documents/result-centre/FY2018-press-release-final.pdf.coredownload.pdf |title=Preliminary Full Year Results 2018 |website=inmarsat.com|access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018100643/https://www.inmarsat.com/content/dam/inmarsat/corporate/documents/result-centre/FY2018-press-release-final.pdf.coredownload.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| operating_income = {{US$|288.7}}&nbsp;million (2018)<ref name=prelims/>
| net_income       = {{US$|125.0}}&nbsp;million (2018)<ref name=prelims/>
| num_employees    = 1,500 (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/about-us/our-offices/|title=Our offices|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref>
| industry         = Satellite communication
| parent           = [[Company:Viasat (American company)|Viasat]]
| homepage         = {{Official URL}}
}}
[[File:Inmarsat-3.gif|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Inmarsat-3 satellite]]
[[File:Satellite phone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Inmarsat satellite telephone in use after a natural disaster in Nias, Indonesia. The unit depicted was manufactured by Thrane & Thrane A/S of {{wipe|Denmark}}. (April 2005)]]

'''Inmarsat''' is a British [[Astronomy:Communications satellite|satellite telecommunications]] company, offering global mobile services. It provides telephone and data services to users worldwide, via portable or mobile terminals which communicate with ground stations through fifteen [[Astronomy:Geostationary|geostationary]] telecommunications satellites.<ref>{{cite web |title=Satellites |url=https://www.inmarsat.com/en/about/technology/satellites.html |archive-url=http://archive.today/2023.09.21-193742/https://www.inmarsat.com/en/about/technology/satellites.html |archive-date=2023-09-21 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=inmarsat.com}}</ref>

Inmarsat's network provides communications services to a range of governments, aid agencies, media outlets and businesses (especially in the shipping, airline and mining industries) with a need to communicate in remote regions or where there is no reliable [[Astronomy:Earth|terrestrial]] network. The company was listed on the [[Company:London Stock Exchange|London Stock Exchange]] until it was acquired by Connect Bidco, a consortium consisting of Apax Partners, Warburg Pincus, the CPP Investment Board and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, in December 2019.

On 8 November 2021, a deal was announced between Inmarsat's owners and [[Company:Viasat (American company)|Viasat]], in which Viasat was to purchase Inmarsat. The acquisition was completed in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.viasat.com/newsroom/press-releases/viasat-completes-acquisition-of-inmarsat|title=Viasat Completes Acquisition of Inmarsat|work=Viasat|date=31 May 2023 |access-date=2023-07-26|language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Origins ===
{{Further|Organization:International Mobile Satellite Organization}}

The present company originates from the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), a non-profit intergovernmental organisation established in 1979 at the behest of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)—the United Nations maritime body—and pursuant to the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization, signed by 28 countries in 1976.<ref name="ICAO 2003"/><ref name="Sagar 1999"/> The organisation was created to establish and operate a satellite communications network for the maritime community.<ref name="ICAO 2003"/><ref>Jonathan Higgins, ''Satellite Newsgathering'', Focal Press, 2007, p. 204. {{ISBN|978-0-240-51973-9}}.</ref> In coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization in the 1980s, the convention governing INMARSAT was amended to include improvements to aeronautical communications, notably for public safety.<ref name="ICAO 2003"/> The member states owned varying shares of the operational business.<ref name="Sagar 1999"/> The main offices were originally located in the Euston Tower, Euston Road, London.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Godwin, Matthew |series=Oral History of Europe in Space|publisher=European Space Agency|title=Interview with Roy Gibson|date=5 December 2007 |url=https://sounds.bl.uk/related-content/TRANSCRIPTS/021T-C1379X0019XX-0000A0.pdf |page=5 |access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>

=== Privatization ===
In the mid-1990s, many member states were unwilling to invest in improvements to INMARSAT's network, especially owing to the competitive nature of the satellite communications industry, while many recognised the need to maintain the organisation's older systems and the need for an intergovernmental organisation to oversee public safety aspects of satellite communication networks.<ref name="Sagar 1999"/> In 1998, an agreement was reached to modify INMARSAT's mission as an intergovernmental organisation and separate and privatise the organisation's operational business, with public safety obligations attached to the sale.<ref name="Sagar 1999"/>

In April 1999, INMARSAT was succeeded by the [[Organization:International Mobile Satellite Organization|International Mobile Satellite Organization]] (IMSO) as an intergovernmental regulatory body for satellite communications, while INMARSAT's operational unit was separated and became the UK-based company Inmarsat Ltd.<ref name="ICAO 2003">{{Cite web |title=Proposed Amendments to the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) |publisher=International Civil Aviation Organization |date=14 May 2003 |url=http://www.icao.int/ICDB/HTML/English/Representative%20Bodies/Council/Working%20Papers%20by%20Session/169/C.169.WP.12002.EN/C.169.WP.12002.EN.HTM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607182144/http://www.icao.int/ICDB/HTML/English/Representative%20Bodies/Council/Working%20Papers%20by%20Session/169/C.169.WP.12002.EN/C.169.WP.12002.EN.HTM|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Jonathan Higgins p. 207</ref> The IMSO and Inmarsat Ltd. signed an agreement imposing public safety obligations on the new company.<ref name="ICAO 2003"/> Inmarsat was the first international satellite organisation that was privatised.<ref name="Sagar 1999">{{cite journal |last1=Sagar|first1=David|editor1-last=Harris|editor1-first=R. A.|title=The privatisation of INMARSAT: Special problems|journal=International Organisations and Space Law, Proceedings of the Third ECSL Colloquium, Perugia, Italy, 6–7 May 1999|year=1999|volume=442|pages=127–142|bibcode=1999ESASP.442..127S}}</ref>

In 2005, Apax Partners and Permira bought shares in the company. The company was also first listed on the [[Company:London Stock Exchange|London Stock Exchange]] in that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.satellitetoday.com/telecom/2006/01/02/dollars-sense-inmarsat-eutelsat/|title=Dollars & Sense|publisher=Satellitetoday.com|date=2 January 2006|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref> In March 2008, it was disclosed that U.S. hedge fund Harbinger Capital owned 28% of the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/2011/12/06/shares/news-and-analysis/private-equity-orbits-inmarsat-sjdMRtecoE0GBYh73ALJlJ/article.html|title=Private equity orbits Inmarsat|publisher=Investorschronicle.co.uk|date=7 March 2008|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref> In 2009, Inmarsat completed the acquisition of satellite communications provider [[Company:Stratos Global Corporation|Stratos Global Corporation]] (Stratos)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/04/13/daily63.html|title=Inmarsat buys Stratos Global |work=Washington Business Journal|date=16 April 2009|access-date=28 March 2015}}</ref> and acquired a 19-per cent stake in [[Company:SkyWave Mobile Communications|SkyWave Mobile Communications]] Inc., a provider of Inmarsat D+/IsatM2M network services which in turn purchased the GlobalWave business from TransCore.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandle |first=Paul |date=1 April 2009 |title=Inmarsat to take stake in tracking co SkyWave |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-inmarsat-sb-idUKTRE53054Y20090401 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531100004/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-inmarsat-sb-idUKTRE53054Y20090401 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |url-status=live |work={{wipe|Reuters}} |access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref> Inmarsat won the 2010 MacRobert Award for its [[Engineering:Broadband Global Area Network|Broadband Global Area Network]] (BGAN) service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raeng.org.uk/news/news-releases/2010/June/flying-high-satellite-broadband-pioneer-inmarsat |access-date=8 June 2010 |date=8 June 2010 |title=Inmarsat grabs the MacRobert engineering prize |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211032846/http://www.raeng.org.uk/news/news-releases/2010/June/flying-high-satellite-broadband-pioneer-inmarsat |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10254883.stm |access-date=8 June 2010 |date=10 May 2010 |title=Making things better – finalists announced for Britain's top engineering award |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Inmarsat at first provided services using [[Engineering:Marisat|Marisat]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comara.org/legacy/marisat.htm|title=Inmarsat-A Ends Service After 32 Years|website=comara.org|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129082054/http://comara.org/legacy/marisat.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Engineering:MARECS|MARECS]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/ESA_history/The_launch_of_MARECS_B2|title=The launch of MARECS B2|website=esa.com}}</ref> which were launched by the US Navy and ESA respectively. In the early 1990s Inmarsat launched its first dedicated [[Engineering:Satellite constellation|satellite constellation]], Inmarsat-2. These satellites provided the Inmarsat-A service for maritime uses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/inmarsat-2.htm|title=Inmarsat-2 F1, F2, F3, F4|website=space.skyrocket.de}}</ref> Between 1996 and 1998 Inmarsat's second constellation, Inmarsat-3, was launched.  Consisting of five geostationary L-band satellites the constellation provides the Inmarsat-B and Inmarsat-C services, primarily providing low bandwidth communications and safety services for global shipping.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/services/safety/inmarsat-c/|title=Inmarsat C provides two-way data and messaging communication services|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> Following privatisation in 1999 Inmarsat developed and launched the first satellite communications system offering global coverage, BGAN.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/ESA_Inmarsat_agreement_to_improve_satellite_mobile_phone_and_data_services|title=ESA/Inmarsat agreement to improve satellite mobile phone and data services|website=esa.int}}</ref> This service was provided initially through the three Inmarsat-4 satellite launched between 2005 and 2008, and was then extended with the addition of Alphasat in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/about-us/about-usour-satellites/inmarsat-4/|title=about-usour-satellites|website=inmarsat.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324040905/https://www.inmarsat.com/about-us/about-usour-satellites/inmarsat-4/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 2010s, Inmarsat began development of the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) constellation Global Xpress, operating in the [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-band]] portion of the spectrum. Global Xpress, launched in 2015, offers global satellite capacity to various markets including shipping and aviation. Global Xpress also marks a significant expansion of Inmarsat's commercial operations in the aviation markets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/service/global-xpress/|title=Global Xpress|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/service/gx-aviation|title=GX Aviation|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> In 2017, Inmarsat launched its first S-band satellite, intended to provide (in association with an [[Engineering:LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] ground network) inflight internet access across Europe.<ref name="inmarsat.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/aviation/aviation-connectivity-services/european-aviation-network/|title=European Aviation Network|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> In March 2018, Inmarsat partnered with Isotropic Systems to develop a state-of-the-art, all electronic scanning antenna intended to be used with the Global Xpress network.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.everythingrf.com/News/details/5804-Inmarsat-Partners-with-Isotropic-Systems-to-Develop-Next-Gen-Ka-band-Mobility-Antenna|title=Inmarsat Partners with Isotropic Systems to Develop Next-Gen Ka-band Mobility Antenna|date=13 March 2018|access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref>

On 20 September 2018, Inmarsat announced its strategic collaboration with [[Company:Panasonic Avionics Corporation|Panasonic Avionics Corporation]] for an initial ten-year period, to provide in-flight broadband for commercial airlines. Inmarsat will be the exclusive provider of Panasonic for connectivity using the [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-band]] satellite signal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-inmarsat-panasonic/inmarsat-and-panasonic-partner-on-in-flight-connectivity-idUSKCN1M00RX?il=0|title=Inmarsat and Panasonic partner on in-flight connectivity|work=Reuters|date=20 September 2018 |access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Inmarsat will now be offering Panasonic's portfolio of services to its commercial aviation customers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/inmarsat-panasonic-announce-strategic-collaboration-quick-facts-1027549800 |title=Inmarsat, Panasonic Announce Strategic Collaboration - Quick Facts|access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref>

=== Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 ===

In March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew en route from [[Place:Kuala Lumpur|Kuala Lumpur]] to Beijing. After turning away from its planned path and disappearing from radar coverage, the aircraft's [[Engineering:Satellite data unit|satellite data unit]] remained in contact with Inmarsat's ground station in Perth via the IOR satellite (Indian Ocean Region, 64° East). The aircraft used Inmarsat's ''Classic Aero'' satellite phone service. Analysis of these communications by Inmarsat and independently by other agencies determined that the aircraft flew into the southern Indian Ocean and was used to guide the search for the aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26720772|title=UK firm behind Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 breakthrough|work=BBC News|date=24 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ashton|first1=Chris|last2=Bruce|first2=Alan Shuster|last3=Colledge|first3=Gary|last4=Dickinson|first4=Mark|title=The Search for MH370|journal=Journal of Navigation|date=14 September 2014|doi=10.1017/S037346331400068X|publisher=Royal Institute of Navigation |volume=68|pages=1–22|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Takeover by Connect Bidco and privatisation ===
In March 2019 the company's board agreed to recommend a takeover offer of US$3.4&nbsp;billion from Connect Bidco, a consortium consisting of Apax Partners, Warburg Pincus, the CPP Investment Board and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/25/uk-satellite-operator-inmarsat-agrees-34bn-takeover-by-consortium|title=UK satellite operator Inmarsat agrees US$3.4 billion takeover|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 March 2019|access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> On 9 October 2019, {{wipe|Bloomberg News}} reported that the UK government was set to approve the takeover with the final consultation for the deal set to conclude on 24 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 October 2019|title=U.K. Government Set to Approve US$3.4 Billion Inmarsat Buyout |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-09/u-k-government-set-to-approve-inmarsat-buyout-by-private-equity|access-date=10 October 2019|publisher=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> In November 2019, Inmarsat rejected an eleventh-hour effort to derail the US$6&nbsp;billion sale, in which it was accused of ignoring a potential boost to the company's value. Oaktree argued that the recommended offer for Inmarsat failed to take account of the potential value of spectrum assets used by Inmarsat's U.S. partner Ligado.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7161b0ca-ffd5-11e9-be59-e49b2a136b8d |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221212001221/https://www.ft.com/content/7161b0ca-ffd5-11e9-be59-e49b2a136b8d |archive-date=12 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Inmarsat rejects activist effort to thwart US$6 billion takeover |last=Fildes |first=Nic |date=5 November 2019 |website=Financial Times |access-date=9 December 2019 }}</ref> Inmarsat delisted from London Stock Exchange, as the private equity funds took control of the company, on 5 December 2019; at the time, Inmarsat was operating 14 geostationary communications satellites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/inmarsat-delists-from-stock-exchange-after-buyout/|title=Inmarsat delists from stock exchange after buyout|publisher=SpaceNews|date=5 December 2019|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/12/03/hedge-funds-drop-opposition-inmarsat-takeover/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/12/03/hedge-funds-drop-opposition-inmarsat-takeover/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Private equity giants take control of Inmarsat after hedge funds fold|date=3 December 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=5 December 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Acquisition by Viasat ===
On 8 November 2021, a $7.3bn deal was announced between Inmarsat's owners, led by Apax and Warburg Pincus, and [[Company:Viasat (American company)|Viasat]] in which Viasat would purchase Inmarsat for $850m in cash, issuing approximately 46 million shares of Viasat stock and taking on $3.4bn in debt.<ref name=spacenews8nov21>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/viasat-buying-inmarsat-in-7-3-billion-deal/|title=Viasat buying Inmarsat in $7.3 billion deal|author=Jason Rainbow|website=SpaceNews|date=8 November 2021|access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref> Viasat has promised to honour a pledge made by the previous owners, when it was taken private in 2019, that Inmarsat would remain a UK-based company, and for other planned investments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Space broadband outfit Viasat acquires rival Inmarsat|author=Simon Sharwood|url=https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/10/viasat_acquires_inmarsat/|date=10 November 2021|access-date=10 November 2021|website=The Register|language=en}}</ref>

Provisional approval for the merger was given by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority in March 2023<ref name="cma-prov">{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-provisionally-clears-satellite-comms-deal-following-in-depth-review |title=CMA provisionally clears satellite comms deal following in-depth review |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1 March 2023 |website=gov.uk |publisher= |access-date=4 May 2023 |quote=}}</ref> with 25 May 2023 set as the date for a formal decision.<ref name="cma-ext">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6357a209e90e0777aca3e8e1/A._Administrative_timetable__3_.pdf |title=Administrative timetable |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=28 March 2023 |website=gov.uk |publisher=Government Publishing Service |access-date=4 May 2023 |quote=25 May 2023: Revised statutory deadline following extension}}</ref> On 31 May 2023, the acquisition was closed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Freeman |first=Mike |date=31 May 2023 |title=Carlsbad's Viasat boosts satellite Internet footprint globally with completion of Inmarsat acquisition |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2023-05-31/carlsbads-viasat-boosts-satellite-internet-footprint-globally-with-completion-of-inmarsat-acquisition |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rainbow |first1=Jason |title=Satellite operators Viasat and Inmarsat complete merger deal |url=https://spacenews.com/satellite-operators-viasat-and-inmarsat-complete-merger-deal/ |access-date=4 June 2023 |work=SpaceNews |date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

== Operations ==
The Inmarsat head office is at Old Street Roundabout in the London Borough of Islington.<ref>"[http://www.inmarsat.com/privacy-policy/ Privacy Policy]" Inmarsat Retrieved on 26 March 2014 "99 City Road London EC1Y 1AX United Kingdom"</ref> Aside from its commercial services, Inmarsat provides Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) to ships and aircraft at no charge, as a public service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weather.gmdss.org/gmdss.html|title=GMDSS weather|website=weather.gmdss.org|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

Services include traditional voice calls, low-level data tracking systems, and high-speed Internet and other data services as well as distress and safety services. The [[Engineering:Broadband Global Area Network|Broadband Global Area Network]] (BGAN) network provides [[General Packet Radio Service]] (GPRS) - type services at up to 800 kbit/s at a latency of 900-1100 ms<ref>{{cite web|title=FAQ|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/support/faq/|access-date=15 October 2020 |website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> via an [[Internet Protocol]] (IP) satellite modem the size of a notebook computer,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/service/bgan-hdr/|title=BGAN-HDR |website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> while the Global Xpress network offers up to 50 Mbit/s at a latency of 700 ms<ref name=":2">{{cite web|publisher=Inmarsat|title=Enterprise Services|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Enterprise-services-May-2014.pdf|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017004229/https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Enterprise-services-May-2014.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> via antennas as small as 60&nbsp;cm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/md/12/iturka.band/c/R12-ITURKA.BAND-C-0002!!PDF-E.pdf |title=Global Mobile Broadband|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> Other services provide mobile [[Integrated Services Digital Network]] (ISDN) services used by the media for live reporting on world events via videophone,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/Downloads/English/BGAN/Collateral/BGAN_media_solution_EN.pdf?language=EN&textonly=False|title=Transforming satellite newsgathering |access-date=18 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713040024/http://www.inmarsat.com/Downloads/English/BGAN/Collateral/BGAN_media_solution_EN.pdf?language=EN&textonly=False |archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> and inflight Internet access via the [[Company:European Aviation Network|European Aviation Network]].<ref name="inmarsat.com"/>

The price of a call via Inmarsat has now dropped to a level where they are comparable to, and in many cases lower than, international roaming costs, or hotel phone calls. Voice call charges are the same for any location in the world where the service is used. Tariffs for calls to Inmarsat country codes vary, depending on the country in which they are placed. Inmarsat primarily uses country code 870 (see below).<ref name=code>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/Support/+870_deadline.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False|title=one world, one number|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=18 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713040040/http://www.inmarsat.com/Support/%2B870_deadline.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> Newer Inmarsat services use an IP technology that features an always-on capability where the users are only charged for the amount of data they send and receive, rather than the length of time they are connected.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inmarsat.com/Downloads/English/BGAN/Case_studies/RigStat_case_study_EN.pdf?language=EN&textonly=False|title=BGAN provides 'eyes and ears' for oil rigs|access-date=18 April 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713040101/http://www.inmarsat.com/Downloads/English/BGAN/Case_studies/RigStat_case_study_EN.pdf?language=EN&textonly=False|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> In addition to its own satellites, Inmarsat has a collaboration agreement with [[Engineering:ACeS|ACeS]] regarding handheld voice services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marine-electronics.eu/blog/low-cost-hand-held-fixed-voice-services-inmarsat-aces|title=Low-Cost Hand-Held And Fixed Voice Services From Inmarsat And ACeS - Marine-electronics.eu|website=marine-electronics.eu}}</ref>

== Coverage ==
[[File:Shoreditch inmarsat building 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Inmarsat Global HQ at 99 City Road, London. (January 2006)]]

There are three types of coverage related to each Inmarsat [[Engineering:I-4 satellite|I-4 satellite]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcclp.com/index.asp?pgid=32|title=How the Inmarsat satellite system works|website=wcclp.com|access-date=18 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505160607/http://www.wcclp.com/index.asp?pgid=32|archive-date=5 May 2011}}</ref>

=== Global beam coverage ===
Each satellite is equipped with a single global beam that covers up to one-third of the Earth's surface, apart from the poles. Overall, global beam coverage extends from latitudes of −82 to +82° regardless of longitude.

=== Regional spot beam coverage ===
Each regional beam covers a fraction of the area covered by a global beam, but collectively all of the regional beams offer virtually the same coverage as the global beams. Use of regional beams allow user terminals (also called mobile earth stations) to operate with significantly smaller antennas. Regional beams were introduced with the I-3 satellites. Each I-3 satellite provides four to six spot beams; each I-4 satellite provides 19 regional beams.

=== Narrow spot beam coverage ===
Narrow beams are offered by the three Inmarsat-4 satellites. Narrow beams vary in size, tend to be several hundred kilometres across. The narrow beams, while much smaller than the global or regional beams, are far more numerous and hence offer the same global coverage. Narrow spot beams allow yet smaller antennas and much higher data rates. They form the backbone of Inmarsat's handheld (GSPS) and broadband services ([[Engineering:Broadband Global Area Network|BGAN]]). This coverage was introduced with the I-4 satellites. Each I-4 satellite provides around 200 narrow spot beams.

=== Global Xpress (I-5) ===
The Inmarsat I-5 satellites provide global coverage using four geostationary satellites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Inmarsat_Global_Xpress_Coverage_January_2017_EN_LowRes.pdf|title=Inmarsat Global Xpress Coverage|website=inmarsat.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=1 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101113302/https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Inmarsat_Global_Xpress_Coverage_January_2017_EN_LowRes.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each satellite supports 89 beams, giving a total coverage of approximately one-third of the Earth's surface per satellite. In addition, 6 steerable beams are available per satellite, which may be moved to provide higher capacity to selected locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thedigitalship.com/conferences/presentations/2012hamburg/day1/DS_hamburg12_Shane_Rossbacher_Inmarsat.pdf|title=Maritime Solution Overview-Shane Rossbacher|website=thedigitalship.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155002/https://thedigitalship.com/conferences/presentations/2012hamburg/day1/DS_hamburg12_Shane_Rossbacher_Inmarsat.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 26 November 2019, the first satellite to extend the original 4 satellite first generation Global Xpress constellation was launched from [[Organization:Guiana Space Centre|Centre Spatial Guyanais]] (CSG) by an [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]] launch vehicle.<ref name="Henry">{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Caleb|url=https://spacenews.com/ariane-5-launches-satellites-for-egypt-inmarsat/|title=Ariane 5 launches satellites for Egypt, Inmarsat |publisher=SpaceNews|date=26 November 2019|access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref>

== Satellites ==
[[File:Satellite Inmarsat GX5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|GX5 satellite]]

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|-
! | Satellite
! | Coverage
! | Longitude
! | Vehicles
! | Launch date ([[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])
! | Services / notes
|-

! colspan=6| [[Engineering:Marisat|Marisat]] series
|-

! [[Engineering:Marisat 1|Marisat F1]]
|  ||  || [[Engineering:Delta 2000|Delta 2914]] || 19 February 1976 || Decommissioned 1997
|-

! [[Engineering:Marisat 2|Marisat F2]]
|  ||  || [[Engineering:Delta 2000|Delta 2914]] || 14 October 1976 || Transferred to Intelsat in 2004, decommissioned in 2008
|-

! [[Engineering:Marisat 3|Marisat F3]]
|  ||  || [[Engineering:Delta 2000|Delta 2914]] || 10 June 1976 || Decommissioned
|-

!colspan=6| [[Engineering:MARECS|MARECS]] series
|-
! [[Engineering:MARECS|MARECS-A]]
| || || [[Engineering:Ariane 1|Ariane 1]] || 20 December 1981 || Deactivated August 1996
|-
! [[Engineering:MARECS|MARECS-B]]
| || || [[Engineering:Ariane 1|Ariane 1]] || 9 September 1982 || Launch failure
|-
! [[Engineering:MARECS|MARECS-C]]
| || || [[Engineering:Ariane 3|Ariane 3]] || 10 November 1984 || also known as MARECS-B2, deactivated 2002
|-

!colspan=6| Inmarsat-2 series
|-
! Inmarsat-2 F1
| || || [[Engineering:Delta II|Delta II]] 6925 || 30 October 1990 || Decommissioned 19 April 2013<br/>Previous record holder for mission lifespan<ref name="record">{{cite web |url=http://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2014/12/22/airbus-built-inmarsat-2-f2-satellite-breaks-world-record-for-mission-lifespan/|title=Airbus-built Inmarsat 2 F2 Satellite Breaks World Record for Mission Lifespan|publisher=Via Satellite|date=22 December 2014|access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
! Inmarsat-2 F2
|  || || [[Engineering:Delta II|Delta II]] 6925 || 8 March 1991 || Decommissioned in December 2014<br/>World record for mission lifespan<ref name="record"/>
|-
! Inmarsat-2 F3
| || || [[Engineering:Ariane 4|Ariane 4]]4L || 16 December 1991 || Decommissioned 2006
|-
! Inmarsat-2 F4
|   ||    || [[Engineering:Ariane 4|Ariane 4]]4L || 15 April 1992 || Decommissioned 2012
|-

!colspan=6| Inmarsat-3 series
|-
! Inmarsat-3 F1
|  ||  || [[Engineering:Atlas II|Atlas II]]A || 3 April 1996 || Reassigned to Maritime safety backup service in 2020
|-
! Inmarsat-3 F2
|  ||  || [[Engineering:Proton-K|Proton-K]]/[[Engineering:Blok D|DM1]] || 6 September 1996 || Reassigned to Maritime safety backup service in 2019
|-
! Inmarsat-3 F3
|  || 178° East || [[Engineering:Atlas II|Atlas II]]A || 18 December 1996 || Existing and evolved services only
|-
! Inmarsat-3 F4
|  ||  || [[Engineering:Ariane 4|Ariane 4]]4L || 3 June 1997 || Decommissioned 2016
|-
! Inmarsat-3 F5
| AOR || 54° West || [[Engineering:Ariane 4|Ariane 4]]4LP || 4 February 1998  || Various leases
|-

!colspan=6| [[Engineering:I-4 satellite|Inmarsat-4]] series
|-
!{{nowrap | Inmarsat-4 F1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2005-009A|title=Inmarsat-4 F1|publisher=National Space Science Data Center}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>}}
| APAC || 143.5° East || [[Engineering:Atlas V|Atlas V]] 431|| 11 March 2005 || BGAN family, SPS and lease services
|-

! Inmarsat-4 F2<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4418484.stm|title=All go for giant comms satellite|work=BBC News|date=8 November 2005|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>
| IOR || 64° East || [[Engineering:Zenit-3SL|Zenit-3SL]] || 8 November 2005 || BGAN family, SPS and lease services, FleetBroadband, SwiftBroadband
Transferred from 25° East to 63° East in mid-2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2015/06/10/inmarsat-4-f2-satellite-relocating-to-cover-middle-east-and-asia/|title=Inmarsat-4 F2 Satellite Relocating to Cover Middle East and Asia|date=10 June 2015|access-date=7 December 2015|website=Via Satellite|last=Caleb|first=Henry}}</ref>
|-

! Inmarsat-4 F3<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/news-081908|title=ILS Proton successfully launches Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite|publisher=International Launch Services|date=19 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923142147/http://www.ilslaunch.com/news-081908|archive-date=23 September 2008}}</ref>
| AMER || 98° West || [[Engineering:Proton-M|Proton-M]] / [[Engineering:Briz (rocket stage)|Briz-M]] || 18 August 2008 || BGAN family and lease services
|-

! Inmarsat-4A F4 (AlphaSat)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/Alphasat/Flawless_launch_of_Alphasat_Europe_s_largest_and_most_sophisticated_telecom_satellite|title=Flawless launch of Alphasat |publisher=ESA|date=July 2013}}</ref>
| EMEA || 25° East || [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]]ECA || 25 July 2013 || BGAN family, SPS and lease services
|-

!colspan=6| Inmarsat-5 (GX) series<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/about-us/our-technology/our-satellites/|title=Our satellites|website=inmarsat.com|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/inmarsat-5.htm|title=Inmarsat-5 F1, 2, 3, 4 (GX 1, 2, 3, 4)|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref>
|-

! Inmarsat-5 F1 (GX-1)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25199809|title=Inmarsat begins Global Xpress roll-out|work=BBC News|date=9 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/node/3916|title=Inmarsat-5 F1|publisher=International Launch Services|date=8 December 2013}}</ref>
| I-5 Europe, Middle East, Africa || 62.6° East || [[Engineering:Proton-M|Proton-M]] / [[Engineering:Briz (rocket stage)|Briz-M]] || 8 December 2013 || [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-Band]] global data services, Global Xpress
|-

! Inmarsat-5 F2 (GX-2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31097265|title=Inmarsat launches second Global Xpress satellite|work=BBC News|date=2 February 2015}}</ref>
| I-5 Americas || 55° West || [[Engineering:Proton-M|Proton-M]] / [[Engineering:Briz (rocket stage)|Briz-M]] || 2 February 2015 || [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-Band]] global data services, Global Xpress
|-

! Inmarsat-5 F3 (GX-3)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/I-5-F3-the-mission|title=I-5 F3: the mission|publisher=Inmarsat|date=29 August 2015|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812025051/http://www.inmarsat.com/I-5-F3-the-mission|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| I-5 Pacific, Asia, West Americas || 179.6° East || [[Engineering:Proton-M|Proton-M]] / [[Engineering:Briz (rocket stage)|Briz-M]] || 28 August 2015 || [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-Band]] global data services, Global Xpress
|-

! Inmarsat-5 F4 (GX-4)<ref name=inmarsat-5f4>{{cite web|title=Inmarsat to purchase fourth Inmarsat-5 satellite from Boeing|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/press-release/inmarsat-to-purchase-fourth-inmarsat-5-satellite-from-boeing/|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=9 March 2015|format=Press Release|date=7 October 2013}}</ref>
| I-5 Europe + in-orbit spare || 56.5° East || [[Engineering:Falcon 9 Full Thrust|Falcon 9 Full Thrust]] || 15 May 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/inmarsat5f4presskit_final.pdf|title=Inmarsat-5 F4 Mission |publisher=Space X|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> || [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-Band]] global data services, Global Xpress
|-

! Inmarsat-5 F5 (GX-5)
| Europe and Middle East || 11° East || [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]]ECA || 26 November 2019<ref name="Henry"/> || [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-Band]] global data services, higher capacity GX satellite after the 4 first generation satellites
|-
!colspan=6|[[Company:European Aviation Network|European Aviation Network]]
|-
! [[Engineering:Hellas Sat 3|Inmarsat S EAN (Hellas Sat 3)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/press-release/inmarsat-confirms-successful-launch-s-band-satellite-european-aviation-network/|title=Inmarsat Confirms Successful Launch|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref>
| Europe || 39° East || [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]] || 28 June 2017 || [[Astronomy:S band|S-band]] services for European aviation
|-
! colspan="6" |Inmarsat-6 series
|-
!Inmarsat-6 F1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/en/about/technology/satellites.html|title=Satellites|publisher=Inmarsat|quote=The first Inmarsat-6 spacecraft is scheduled for launch with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) at the end of 2021 with the second to follow in 2022.|access-date=22 December 2021}}</ref>
|
|
|[[Engineering:H-IIA|H-IIA]] F45
|22 December 2021 
|-
!Inmarsat-6 F2<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/en/news/latest-news/corporate/2023/i6-f2-successful-launch.html|title=Inmarsat confirms successful launch of world's most advanced satellite|publisher=Inmarsat|quote=SpaceX successfully launched Inmarsat’s latest I-6 F2 satellite successfully launched last night from launch pad SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.|access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref>
|
|
|[[Engineering:Falcon 9 Block 5|Falcon 9 Block 5]]
|18 February 2023
|Failed in orbit
|}

== Country codes ==
The permanent telephone country code for calling Inmarsat destinations is:<ref name=code/>
* '''870''' SNAC ('''Single Network Access Code''')

The 870 number is an automatic locator; it is not necessary to know to which satellite the destination Inmarsat terminal is logged-in. SNAC is now usable by all Inmarsat services.

Country codes phased out on 31 December 2008 were
* '''871''' Atlantic Ocean Region – East (AOR-E)
* '''872''' Pacific Ocean Region (POR)
* '''873''' Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
* '''874''' Atlantic Ocean Region – West (AOR-W)

Since 18 July 2017, Inmarsat users using the service provided by China Transport Telecommunication & Information Center may apply for 11 digits Chinese mobile phone numbers starting with 1749. An international call function is not required when making phone calls to such numbers from Mainland China.<ref>{{cite web|title=海事卫星电话1749号段投入使用|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/158189156_354970|publisher=Sohu News|lang=zh|date=2017-07-18}}</ref>

== Networks ==
[[File:Couverture satellite inmarsat.svg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Inmarsat-3 satellite locations]]

Inmarsat networks provide existing, evolved, and advanced services.  Existing and evolved services are offered through land Earth stations which are not owned nor operated by Inmarsat, but through companies which have a commercial agreement with Inmarsat. Advanced services are provided via distribution partners but the satellite gateways are owned and operated by Inmarsat directly.

=== High Throughput Services ===
* '''Global Xpress''': Since 2015, Inmarsat has offered high throughput services through the Global Xpress network. This service provides an IP based global service of up to 50 Mbit/s downlink and 5 Mbit/s uplink at a latency of 700 ms.<ref name=":2"/> Services are provided for maritime, aviation, government and enterprise markets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/service/global-xpress/|title=Global Xpress - Seamless Satellite Broadband - Inmarsat|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> Global Xpress is supported by the existing BGAN L-band network, and services are offered using a combination of the two networks to increase availability and reliability.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/GX-10-things_e.pdf|title=Global Express|year=2015|website=inmarsat.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155337/https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/GX-10-things_e.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2018, Inmarsat partnered with Isotropic Systems to develop all-electronic scanning antenna intended to be used with the Global Xpress network.<ref name=":0"/>
* '''European Aviation Network''': Inmarsat offers aviation services through the [[Company:European Aviation Network|European Aviation Network]], developed in partnership with Deutsche Telekom. The European Aviation Network uses a ground-based [[Engineering:LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] network and an Inmarsat S-band satellite to provide 50Gbit/s capacity to aircraft in European airspace. The project faced a number of legal and regulatory challenges.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=23 March 2018|title=Belgian court punches hole in Inmarsat's European Aviation Network|url=http://spacenews.com/belgian-court-punches-hole-in-inmarsats-european-aviation-network/ |publisher=SpaceNews|date=21 March 2018}}</ref> In October 2017, Inmarsat stated that commercial service would begin in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsataviation.com/en/services/european-aviation-network/successful-test-flight-shows-ean-on-track-to-launch.html|title=Successful test flight shows EAN on track to launch|publisher=Inmarsat Aviation|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref> Construction of the ground network was completed in February 2018,<ref>{{cite web|date=5 February 2018|title=Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom complete European Aviation Network|url=https://spacenews.com/inmarsat-deutsche-telekom-complete-european-aviation-network/|access-date=15 February 2021|publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> and by mid-2019 the service was offered on over 100 routes from key destinations such as London, [[Place:Madrid|Madrid]], Barcelona, [[Place:Athens|Athens]], Lisbon, [[Place:Prague|Prague]], Rome and [[Place:Vienna|Vienna]].<ref>{{cite web|title=European Aviation Network (EAN) inflight broadband now available to thousands of airline passengers |url=https://www.inmarsat.com/en/news/latest-news/aviation/2019/european-aviation-network-ean-inflight-broadband-now-available-to-thousands-of-airline-passengers.html|access-date=15 February 2021|publisher=Inmarsat}}</ref> As of early 2021, the service has been used on 200,000 flights throughout Europe on flights on 250 aircraft operated by British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.<ref>{{cite web|last=Töre|first=Özgür |title=Europe's Fastest Inflight Wi-Fi Service Expands Coverage|url=https://ftnnews.com/technology/41047-europe-s-fastest-inflight-wi-fi-service-expands-coverage|access-date=15 February 2021|website=ftnnews.com|date=19 January 2021 }}</ref>

=== Advanced services ===
The "BGAN Family" is a set of IP-based shared-carrier services:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/Services/?language=EN&textonly=False|title=Inmarsat services|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

* '''BGAN''': [[Engineering:Broadband Global Area Network|Broadband Global Area Network]] for use on land. BGAN uses the I-4 satellites to offer a shared-channel IP packet-switched service of up to 800 kbit/s (uplink and downlink speeds may differ and depend on terminal model) and a streaming-IP service from 32 kbit/s up to X-Stream data rate (services depend on terminal model). Most terminals also offer circuit-switched Mobile [[Integrated Services Digital Network]] (ISDN) services at 64 kbit/s and even low speed (4.8 kbit/s) voice etc. services. BGAN service is available globally on all I4 satellites.
* '''FleetBroadband (FB)''': A maritime service, FleetBroadband is based on BGAN technology, offering similar services and using the same infrastructure as BGAN. A range of Fleet Broadband user terminals are available, designed for ships.
* '''SwiftBroadband (SB)''': An aeronautical service, SwiftBroadband is based on BGAN technology and offers similar services. SB terminals are designed for commercial, private, and military aircraft.

=== M2M communications ===
The "BGAN M2M Family" is a set of IP-based services designed for long-term machine-to-machine management of fixed assets:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/service/bgan-m2m/|title=BGAN M2M |publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=28 March 2015}}</ref>

* '''BGAN M2M''': launched in January 2012, is a global, IP-based low-data rate service, designed for high data availability and performance in permanently unmanned environments. With high-frequency, very low-latency [[Data reporting|data reporting]], BGAN M2M is intended for monitoring fixed assets such as pipelines and oil well heads, or backhauling electricity consumption data within a utility.
* '''IsatM2M''': IsatM2M is a global, short burst data, store and forward service intended to deliver messages of 10.5 or 25.5 bytes in the send direction, and 100 bytes in the receive direction. The service is delivered to market via [[Company:SkyWave Mobile Communications|SkyWave Mobile Communications]] and [[Company:Honeywell|Honeywell]] Global Tracking.
* '''IsatData Pro''': IsatData Pro is a global satellite data service designed for two-way text and data communications to remote assets with message size to mobile: 10 kBytes / from mobile: 6.4 kBytes with typical delivery time of 15 seconds. This service is intended for mission-critical applications for managing trucks, fishing vessels and oil and gas and heavy equipment, text message remote workers and security applications. It is provided by SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc, part of [[Company:Orbcomm|Orbcomm]].

=== Global voice services ===
The company offers portable and fixed phone services:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/service-group/voice/|title=Voice|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=28 March 2015}}</ref>

* '''IsatPhone 2''': IsatPhone 2 is a mobile [[Engineering:Satellite phone|satellite phone]] offering voice telephony. It has a variety of data capabilities, including SMS, short message emailing and GPS look-up-and-send, as well as supporting a data service of up to 20 kbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IsatPhone-2-overview-June-2015.pdf|date=June 2015|title=IsatPhone 2 Overview|website=inmarsat.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=28 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528001049/http://www.inmarsat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IsatPhone-2-overview-June-2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''IsatPhone Link''': IsatPhone Link is a low-cost, fixed, global satellite phone service. It provides voice connectivity for those working or living in areas without cellular coverage and includes data capabilities.
* '''FleetPhone''': Inmarsat's FleetPhone service is a fixed phone service for use on smaller vessels where voice communications is the primary requirement or on vessels where additional voice lines are needed. It provides a low-cost, global satellite phone service option for those working or sailing outside cellular coverage.

==== Existing and evolved services ====
These are based on older technologies:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmarsat.com/Services/A-Z_of_our_services.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False|title=our services at a glance|publisher=Inmarsat |access-date=18 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713040234/http://www.inmarsat.com/Services/A-Z_of_our_services.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref>

* '''Aeronautical (Classic Aero)''': provides analogue voice/fax/data services for aircraft. Three levels of terminals, Aero-L (Low Gain Antenna) primarily for packet data including [[Earth:ACARS|ACARS]] and ADS, Aero-H (High Gain Antenna) for medium quality voice and fax/data at up to 9600 bit/s, and Aero-I (Intermediate Gain Antenna) for low quality voice and fax/data at up to 2400 bit/s. Note, there are also aircraft rated versions of Inmarsat-C and mini-M/M4. The aircraft version of GAN is called Swift 64 (see below).
* '''Inmarsat-B''': service was retired on 30 December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/services/safety/inmarsat-b/|title=Inmarsat B|publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> It provided digital voice services, telex services, medium speed fax/data services at 9.6 kbit/s and high speed data services at 56, 64 or 128 kbit/s. There was also a 'leased' mode for Inmarsat-B available on the spare Inmarsat satellites.
* '''Inmarsat-C''': this is effectively a "satellite telex" terminal with low-speed all-digital (transmission bit rate 1200 bit/s and information bit rate of 600 bit/s) store-and-forward, polling etc. capabilities. Certain models of Inmarsat-C terminals are approved for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) system, equipped with [[Engineering:Global Positioning System|GPS]].
* '''Inmarsat-M''': provides voice services at 4.8 kbit/s and medium speed fax/data services at 2.4 kbit/s. It paved the way towards Inmarsat-Mini-M. Service has ended.
* '''Mini-M''': provides voice services at 4.8 kbit/s and medium speed fax/data services at 2.4 kbit/s. One 2.4 kbit/s channel takes up 4.8 kbit/s on the satellite. Service was closed early January 2017
* '''GAN (Global Area Network)''': provides a selection of low speed services like voice at 4.8 kbit/s, fax and data at 2.4 kbit/s, ISDN like services at 64 kbit/s (called Mobile ISDN) and shared-channel IP packet-switched data services at 64 kbit/s (called Mobile Packet Data Service or MPDS, formerly Inmarsat Packet Data Service – IPDS). GAN is also known as "M4". Service was closed early in January 2017.
* '''Fleet''': a family of networks that includes the Inmarsat-Fleet77, Inmarsat-Fleet55 and Inmarsat-Fleet33 members (The numbers 77, 55 and 33 come from the diameter of the antenna in centimetres). Much like GAN, it provides a selection of low speed services like voice at 4.8 kbit/s, fax/data at 2.4 kbit/s, medium speed services like fax/data at 9.6 kbit/s, ISDN like services at 64 kbit/s (called Mobile ISDN) and shared-channel IP packet-switched data services at 64 kbit/s (called Mobile Packet Data Service or MPDS - see below). However, not all services are available with all members of the family. The latest service to be supported is Mobile ISDN at 128 kbit/s on Inmarsat-Fleet77 terminals.
* '''Swift 64''':  Similar to GAN, providing voice, low rate fax/data, 64kbit/s ISDN, and MPDS services, for private, business, and commercial aircraft. Swift 64 is often sold in a multi-channel version, to support several times 64kbit/s.
* '''Inmarsat D/D+/IsatM2M''': Inmarsat's pager, although much larger than terrestrial versions. Some units are equipped with [[Engineering:GPS|GPS]]. The original Inmarsat-D terminals were one-way (to mobile) pagers. The newer Inmarsat-D+ terminals are the equivalent of a two-way pager. The main use of this technology nowadays is in tracking trucks and buoys and [[SCADA]] applications.
* '''MPDS (Mobile Packet Data Service)''':  Previously known as IPDS, this is an IP-based data service in which several users share a 64kbit/s carrier in a manner similar to [[ADSL]]. MPDS-specific terminals are not sold; rather, this is a service which comes with most terminals that are designed for GAN, Fleet, and Swift64.
* '''IsatPhone''': provides voice services at 4.8 kbit/s and medium speed fax/data services at 2.4 kbit/s. This service emerged from a collaboration agreement with [[Engineering:ACeS|ACeS]], and is available in the EMEA and APAC satellite regions. Coverage is available in Africa, the Middle-East, Asia and Europe, as well as in maritime areas of the EMEA and APAC coverage.

== Projects since 2008 ==
=== European Aviation Network ===
On 30 June 2008, the European Parliament and the European Council adopted the European's Decision to establish a single selection and authorisation process (ESAP – European S-band Application Process) to ensure a coordinated introduction of mobile satellite services (MSS) in Europe. The late 2008 selection process attracted four applications by prospective operators (ICO Global Communications (ICO), Inmarsat, Solaris Mobile ([[Company:EchoStar Mobile|EchoStar Mobile]]), and TerreStar).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1243|title=Commission boost for mobile satellite services paves the way for EU - wide high speed data communications|publisher=Europa (web portal)|date=22 August 2007|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1250|title=New Satellites for Europe: Commission starts selection procedure for operators of pan-European mobile satellite services |publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

In May 2009, the European Commission selected two operators, Inmarsat Ventures and Solaris Mobile, giving these operators "the right to use the specific radio frequencies identified in the Commission's decision and the right to operate their respective mobile satellite systems". EU Member States now have to ensure that the two operators have the right to use the specific radio frequencies identified in the commission's decision and the right to operate their respective mobile satellite systems for 18 years from the selection decision. The operators are compelled to start operations within 24 months (May 2011) from the selection decision.<ref name="ec press">{{cite press release|publisher=European Commission|date=14 May 2009|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/770|title=European Commission paves the way for European mobile satellite services}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/237|title=Mobile Satellite Services in Europe: Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=Europa (web portal)|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSBRQ00733920090514|title=Inmarsat and Solaris win EU spectrum rights|work=Reuters|date=14 May 2009|access-date=18 April 2011|first=Bate|last=Felix}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/current/pan_european/index_en.htm|title=Pan-European numbers and services|publisher=European Commission|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

Inmarsat's [[Astronomy:S band|S-band]] satellite programme provides mobile multimedia broadcast, mobile two-way broadband telecommunications and next-generation MSS services across all member states of the European Union and as far east as Moscow and [[Place:Ankara|Ankara]] by means of a hybrid satellite/terrestrial network. It was built by [[Company:Thales Alenia Space|Thales Alenia Space]] and launched in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/europasat-hellassat-3.htm|title=EuropaSat / HellasSat 3|website=skyrocket.de|access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> The complementary ground network consists of around 300 LTE base stations constructed by Deutsche Telekom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsataviation.com/en/services/european-aviation-network/how-we-did-it-the-european-aviation-network-is-one-giant-step-closer.html|title=How we did it: the European Aviation Network is one giant step closer|publisher=Inmarsat Aviation|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>

The [[Company:European Aviation Network|European Aviation Network]] faced legal challenges {{asof|2018|lc=y}}, including one from [[Company:Viasat (American company)|Viasat]] alleging unfair bidding practices and a misuse of spectrum<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/924e706c-164c-11e8-9376-4a6390addb44 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221212001238/https://www.ft.com/content/924e706c-164c-11e8-9376-4a6390addb44 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=In-flight WiFi battle over Europe takes off |newspaper=Financial Times |date=5 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 }}</ref> and a ruling by the Belgian telecommunications regulator revoking permission for the use of the ground network in Belgium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/belgian-court-punches-hole-in-inmarsats-european-aviation-network/|title=Belgian court punches hole in Inmarsat's European Aviation Network|publisher=SpaceNews|date=21 March 2018}}</ref>

=== Global Xpress Expansion ===
Inmarsat ordered a fifth Global Xpress satellite from Thales Group. The satellite launched 26 November 2019 from [[Organization:Guiana Space Centre|Centre Spatial Guyanais]] (CSG) aboard an [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]] launch vehicle.<ref name="Henry"/> The satellite has been described as a 'very high throughput satellite', and provides services to the Middle East, India and Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spacenews.com/inmarsat-orders-fifth-global-xpress-satellite-from-thales-alenia-space/|title=Inmarsat orders fifth Global Xpress satellite from Thales Alenia Space|publisher=SpaceNews|date=2 June 2017}}</ref> former CEO Rupert Pearce (new CEO Rajeev Suri) indicated that Inmarsat planned further expansion of the Global Xpress network. Trials of new technologies demonstrated bandwidths of 330 Mbit/s over the existing Global Xpress network, far in excess of the existing 50 Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/inmarsat-ceo-hints-at-more-advanced-global-xpress-satellites/|title=Inmarsat CEO hints at more advanced Global Xpress satellites|publisher=SpaceNews|date=7 March 2017}}</ref>

{{anchor|Polar_Coverage}}
'''Polar Coverage'''

To provide GX coverage to the users in the Arctic region, Inmarsat plans to improve GlobalXpress connectivity to above 65° North.<ref name=":1"/>

Two high-capacity, multi-beam payloads GX-10A and GX-10B were planned in [[Astronomy:Highly elliptical orbit|Highly elliptical orbit]]s (HEO) for reliable coverage. Inmarsat worked in partnership with [[Organization:Norwegian Space Agency|Space Norway]] HEOSAT in the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission. The satellites carrying the Inmarsat payload were to be manufactured by [[Company:Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems|Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems]] (NGIS). Launch for GX-10A and 10B was scheduled for 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/northrop-grumman-to-build-two-triple-payload-satellites-for-space-norway-spacex-to-launch/|title=Northrop Grumman to build two triple-payload satellites for Space Norway, SpaceX to launch|date=3 July 2019|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Inmarsat-6 ===
At the end of 2015, Inmarsat ordered two sixth generation satellites from [[Company:Airbus|Airbus]]. These satellites planned to offer both Ka- and L-band payloads and additional capacity to the existing BGAN and Global Xpress networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inmarsat.com/press-release/inmarsat-awards-contract-to-airbus-for-two-sixth-generation-mobile-communication-satellites/|title=Inmarsat awards contract to airbus|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> In 2017, it was announced that the first of these satellites would be launched by [[Company:Mitsubishi Heavy Industries|MHI]] in December 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inmarsat.com/news/mhi-launch-first-inmarsat-6-satellite/|title=MHI launch first Inmarsat 6 satellite|website=inmarsat.com}}</ref> The first of the two satellites, Inmarsat-6 F1, was successfully launched on 22 December 2021 on a [[Engineering:H-IIA|H-IIA]] rocket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59747515|title=Inmarsat launch initiates a technology refresh|publisher=BBC News|date=December 22, 2021|access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> The second satellite was launched on 18 February 2023 on a [[Engineering:Falcon 9 Block 5|Falcon 9 Block 5]] rocket, but suffered a power system failure in orbit that prevented it from becoming operational.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/inmarsat-6.htm|title=Inmarsat-6 F1, F2 (GX 6A, 6B)|last=Krebs|first=Gunter|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=24 November 2021 |access-date=22 December 2021}}</ref>

=== Inmarsat-8 ===
In May 2023, Inmarsat ordered three eighth-generation satellites from Swissto12, which will be based on their HummingSat satellite platform.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rainbow |first=Jason |url=https://spacenews.com/inmarsat-orders-3-smallsats-to-bolster-l-band-safety-services/ |title=Inmarsat orders 3 smallsats to bolster L-band safety services |work=SpaceNews |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>

=== IRIS and ICE ===
Inmarsat is participating in two ESA [[Engineering:ARTES|ARTES]] programs, IRIS and ICE:

* IRIS is a project to improve tracking of aircraft, and to improve communications between aircraft and air traffic controllers. Inmarsat will provide high capacity satellite communications links for aircraft, and improve detection of aircraft locations in time and space.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/Satellite_Communication_for_Air_Traffic_Management_Iris|title=Satellite Communication for Air Traffic Management (Iris) |website=esa.int}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/03/07/esa-using-inmarsat-iris-open-skies/|title=ESA Using Inmarsat for Iris to Open up the Skies - Avionics|date=7 March 2018 |website=aviationtoday.com}}</ref>
* ICE (Inmarsat Communications Evolution) is a partnership with industrial partners intended to identify innovative technologies that can expand and enhance the capabilities of the next generation of satellite communications.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=23 March 2018|title=ICE|url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/ICE|publisher=European Space Agency}}</ref>

== Issues ==
INMARSAT and [[Engineering:Iridium satellite constellation|Iridium]] frequency bands abut each other at 1626.5&nbsp;MHz thus each satcom radio has the ability to interfere with the other. Usually, the far more powerful INMARSAT radio disrupts the Iridium radio up to {{cvt|10|-|800|m}} away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xantic.net/Items/2089/108/2329238654/IRIDIUM_INMARSAT%20Interference.doc|title=Inmarsat Interference Information |publisher=Inmarsat|access-date=28 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912225412/http://www.xantic.net/Items/2089/108/2329238654/IRIDIUM_INMARSAT%20Interference.doc|archive-date=12 September 2014}}</ref>

== See also ==
* Mobile-satellite service
* [[Engineering:Satellite phone|Satellite phone]]
* AeroMobile
* [[Astronomy:DVB-SH|DVB-SH]]
* [[Company:Globalstar|Globalstar]]
* [[Company:Globalsat Group|Globalsat Group]]
* [[Organization:Intersputnik|Intersputnik]]
* [[Company:Iridium Communications|Iridium Communications]]
* [[Social:Librestream|Librestream]]
* Maritime safety information
* [[Engineering:O3b Networks|O3b Networks]]
* OnAir (telecommunications)
* [[Company:Orbcomm|Orbcomm]]
* [[Engineering:Radiotelephone|Radiotelephone]]
* [[Engineering:SES Broadband for Maritime|SES Broadband for Maritime]]
* Sky and Space Global
* [[Company:Thuraya|Thuraya]]
* [[Engineering:Wideband Global SATCOM|Wideband Global SATCOM]] (WGS)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Satcomm|state=collapsed}}
{{Telecommunications}}


[[Category:Satellite telephony]]
[[Category:Satellite Internet access]]
[[Category:Companies (Engineering)]]
[[Category:Companies]]

{{Sourceattribution|Inmarsat}}