09 August 2007
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has signed a contract with International Launch Services (ILS) that provides for a launch of the third Inmarsat-4 satellite in March-April 2008 on a Proton launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Inmarsat's option to launch the satellite on an Atlas launch vehicle in 2009 from Cape Canaveral, USA, remains in place and will now be regarded as a backup capability.
The Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellites are among the largest and most sophisticated commercial communication satellites ever built, and are capable of delivering advanced voice and broadband data communications to mobile users.
Three I-4 satellites were built for Inmarsat by EADS Astrium. The I-4 F1 was launched in March 2005, and has an orbital slot over the Indian Ocean at 64 degrees East; while the I-4 F2 was launched in November 2005, and provides coverage for the Americas from an orbital slot at 154 degrees West.
The I-4 F3 was a ground spare for the two launches in 2005, but its launch and orbital position will complete the I-4 constellation and support the global delivery of Inmarsat's latest services.
Andrew Sukawaty, CEO and Chairman of Inmarsat, said: "Our agreement with ILS has enabled us to accelerate our launch plans for the I-4 F3. The third satellite will provide global coverage for our existing BGAN service and will benefit our new broadband maritime and aeronautical services as well as our global satellite phone service. This will provide incremental opportunities for growth in our maritime and aeronautical markets".
Samer Halawi, Vice President, Inmarsat, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, added, "BGAN has been embraced by our customers in the region since its Middle Eastern launch in 2005. With the launch of the third I-4 satellite, they will now be able to fully enjoy global coverage no matter where their travelling takes them."
-Ends -
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.
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 2006, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 500.1 million. More information can be found at www.inmarsat.com.
For more information, please contact:
John Warehand
Inmarsat
Tel: +44 20 7728 1579
Mob: +44 7739 778 128
Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has signed a contract with International Launch Services (ILS) that provides for a launch of the third Inmarsat-4 satellite in March-April 2008 on a Proton launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Inmarsat's option to launch the satellite on an Atlas launch vehicle in 2009 from Cape Canaveral, USA, remains in place and will now be regarded as a backup capability.
The Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellites are among the largest and most sophisticated commercial communication satellites ever built, and are capable of delivering advanced voice and broadband data communications to mobile users.
Three I-4 satellites were built for Inmarsat by EADS Astrium. The I-4 F1 was launched in March 2005, and has an orbital slot over the Indian Ocean at 64 degrees East; while the I-4 F2 was launched in November 2005, and provides coverage for the Americas from an orbital slot at 154 degrees West.
The I-4 F3 was a ground spare for the two launches in 2005, but its launch and orbital position will complete the I-4 constellation and support the global delivery of Inmarsat's latest services.
Andrew Sukawaty, CEO and Chairman of Inmarsat, said: "Our agreement with ILS has enabled us to accelerate our launch plans for the I-4 F3. The third satellite will provide global coverage for our existing BGAN service and will benefit our new broadband maritime and aeronautical services as well as our global satellite phone service. This will provide incremental opportunities for growth in our maritime and aeronautical markets".
Samer Halawi, Vice President, Inmarsat, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, added, "BGAN has been embraced by our customers in the region since its Middle Eastern launch in 2005. With the launch of the third I-4 satellite, they will now be able to fully enjoy global coverage no matter where their travelling takes them."
-Ends -
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.
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 2006, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 500.1 million. More information can be found at www.inmarsat.com.
For more information, please contact:
John Warehand
Inmarsat
Tel: +44 20 7728 1579
Mob: +44 7739 778 128
Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com
© Press Release 2007
