Tag Archives: Inmarsat

Two airlines are bringing faster WiFi to their international flights

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Two airlines have made moves to upgrade their WiFi offerings today. Cathay Pacific Group will provide GoGo's 2Ku satellite-based broadband technology starting in 2018 and Emirates has partnered with Thales to bring 50Mpbs connectivity to its Boeing 7...

Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search Missed Most Likely Crash Site Hotspot

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In an interview with BBC Television, Inmarsat officials say that the Australian-led southern Indian Ocean search has yet to scour the most likely resting place of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which...

Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

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Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

If you need a satellite phone, then you need a satellite phone. There's no getting around it. Researchers, government contractors and workers in remote locations around the globe rely on their near universal (and extremely expensive) coverage to keep in touch while out in the field. That has normally meant pricey, long-term contracts that lock users into service much like our nation's cellular providers. Satellite operator Inmarsat is finally providing an alternative for those that need truly global coverage (specifically, here in the US) by offering prepaid voice plans to owners of its IsatPhone Pro, BGAN, FleetBroadband and FleetPhone devices. The new plans, while no less expensive we're sure, should prove to be quite attractive to those that need satellite service for only short periods of time -- say, just a few months. The new plans will be available starting September 1st for those who want sat-phone service without the commitment. Check out the PR after the break.

[Photo courtesy of Tarquin Binary]

Continue reading Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls

Inmarsat brings prepaid model to satellite phone calls originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gogo and AeroSat get friendly on Ku-band, bring international in-flight WiFi closer

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Gogo AeroSat international inflight WiFi

Gogo has a virtual lock on in-flight WiFi for the US, but most of us forget that everything goes dark the moment you decide to cross the border. The company already has a deal with Inmarsat for Ka-band Internet connections, and now it's partnering up with AeroSat to bring Ku-band satellite access. The tie-in will let Gogo offer precious relief from tedium on international flights, whether it's a modest hop to the Great White North or an hours-long trip across the ocean. Gogo considers the deal an interim step until Inmarsat's technology is ready, making for much quicker availability than if it had just waited until it could use Ka-band: Ku-band satellite linkups should be on airliners as soon as the end of 2012, while Ka-band won't even show its face until at least late 2014. It's unknown what kind of premium we'll pay over the $13 maximum Gogo normally charges, but if AeroSat lets us squeak in a few more Twitter updates on our way home from Barcelona, it'll be worthwhile.

Continue reading Gogo and AeroSat get friendly on Ku-band, bring international in-flight WiFi closer

Gogo and AeroSat get friendly on Ku-band, bring international in-flight WiFi closer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LightSquared founder Philip Falcone to step down ‘eventually’, attempts to dodge the bankruptcy bullet

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In an effort keep the troubled LightSquared from the brink of defaulting on its debt, its founder will step down from the company. While it doesn't look immediate, (people "familiar with the negotiations" are using the word "eventually") it's Philip Falcone's latest attempt to extend a debt-term violation that expires this morning. According to the same sources, if the initial extension is okayed, Falcone and LightSquared's lenders are aiming for a greater period of around 18 months to repay $1.6 billion in loans and pass the FCC's requirements for its network. The company's board is still deliberating on whether to accept the deal, which would stop the company filing for bankruptcy protection. Unfortunately, it looks like those new 4G network dreams just got hazier.

LightSquared founder Philip Falcone to step down 'eventually', attempts to dodge the bankruptcy bullet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inmarsat hands LightSquared a lifeline, hopes to get that $56 million back later

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Remember LightSquared? Of course you do, it was the noble yet doomed attempt to build a nationwide 4G LTE network. Days before Sprint dumped it, billionaire Philip Falcone's enterprise defaulted on a $56 million spectrum allocation payment to British satellite operator Inmarsat. Now LightSquared's biggest creditor has offered a stay of execution to give the company time to overcome the regulatory hurdles (we'd suggest praying Julius Genachowski gets another job elsewhere) and get the project back on track. Cynics might suggest it's only been given the breathing room because it's not worth being pushed into Chapter 7 bankruptcy, to which we say shame on you, you naughty cynics.

Continue reading Inmarsat hands LightSquared a lifeline, hopes to get that $56 million back later

Inmarsat hands LightSquared a lifeline, hopes to get that $56 million back later originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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