Mobile broadband everywhere
Land, air and sea
Posted in Telecoms, 18th December 2003 13:49 GMT
Free webcast: Service level monitoring and management
An agreement signed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Inmarsat brings the reality of reliable mobile broadband communications services a step closer, the ESA says.
Global mobile broadband services will be available for those at sea, in the air or on land with the new Broadband Global Area Network System (BGAN), to be offered by the Inmarsat I-4 satellite constellation.
Following the launch of the first of the 4th generation Inmarsat satellites in 2004, BGAN is expected to become operational for land services in 2005. The new system will meet the growing demand from business and private users for high-speed internet access and multimedia connectivity, as well as a wide range of teleservices, such as teleworking and distance learning.
Applications will include Internet and intranet access, video on demand, web TV, videoconferencing and LAN access at speeds of up to 432 kbit/s to notebook-sized terminals. The BGAN system will also be compatible with 3G cellular terrestrial systems, according to ESA.
A number of companies are involved in this agreement. EMS Satcom Ltd. (UK) is in charge of developing the aeronautical mobile platforms, Logica CMG (UK) oversees the multicast service-centre development, and the Norwegian company NERA ASA will develop maritime platforms. ®

Analyst Keynote: The Register Agile Data Center Summit
SMB phone systems product requirements worksheet
Enabling The Agile Data Center
Checklist: signs you need to upgrade your business phone system

Dirty, dirty PCs: The X-rated picture guide
Top 500 supers - rise of the Linux quad-cores
Early adopters bloodied by Ubuntu's Karmic Koala
Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter