Inmarsat launches enhancement to award-winning voice and broadband mobile data service at NAB 2009

20th April 2009 - Broadcasters now have access to unprecedented mobile video streaming rates with BGAN X-Stream™ from Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications. 

An enhancement to Inmarsat's BGAN service, which has been used in thousands of media reports around the world, BGAN X-Stream guarantees streaming data rates from a minimum of 384kbps to around 450kbps.  It is the fastest on-demand streaming rate available in a mobile satellite service. 

The new premium IP streaming service is accessible through existing hardware - single, highly-compact and lightweight BGAN terminals from Hughes and Thrane & Thrane - without the need for external antenna or any additional hardware. 

"We developed BGAN X-Stream in response to demands from broadcasters," said Drew Brandy, Head of Land Mobile Services at Inmarsat.  "This enhancement represents an increase in BGAN's streaming rate of at least 50 per cent.  It means that we can meet the demand for higher guaranteed data rates, and offer a service that moves closer to broadcast quality. 

"The enhanced video quality of BGAN X-Stream enables broadcaster to defer, or even avoid, the need to use SNG trucks.  No matter where the story breaks, the global reach of BGAN X-Stream will deliver higher quality video to the studio from the remote broadcast". 

BGAN X-Stream becomes commercially available on 20th April 2009; initially on the Inmarsat-4 EMEA satellite, and globally from the end of June 2009.

"We have a strong on-going relationship with broadcasters, and today's launch shows our commitment to the sector," said Brandy.  "We are the only mobile satellite service that can offer higher guaranteed data rates, across a reliable and proven network, with a global reach".

In 2008, the BGAN-based digital newsgathering solution from CNN was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in its Technology and Engineering Awards.

Terminals capable of accessing the new BGAN X-Stream service are the Hughes HNS9201 and the Thrane & Thrane Explorer 700.  As with other BGAN streaming rates, the new service is compatible with all leading video and audio IP applications and codecs.

-Ends- 

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 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 500 distribution partners and service providers operating in 180 countries.  For the year ended 31 December 2008, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 996.7 million (2007: $576.5 million) with an EBITDA of US$531.2 million (2007: $388.1 million).  For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.

For further information, please contact:
John Warehand
Inmarsat
Tel: +44 20 7728 1579
Mob: +44 7739 778 128
Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com

Mohammad Zaher, Consultant
Impact Porter Novelli
Tel: +971 4 330 4030
Cell: +971 50 7400474
Email: m.souleiman@ipn.ae 
 

© Press Release 2009