Dépêches

Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband Success Continues

Dépèche transmise le 1 octobre 2009 par Business Wire

LONDON & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has announced that there are now more than 400 SwiftBroadband channels activated on aircraft operating worldwide. The achievement makes SwiftBroadband the fastest growing aeronautical service in Inmarsat’s history.

The company has also confirmed, ahead of the 30th World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference in Palm Springs, that there are already more than 100 aircraft flying with Inmarsat-based in-flight GSM solutions.

Inmarsat’s Aeronautical Business Director, David Coiley, said: “SwiftBroadband offers the safe option for airlines considering in-flight communications, backed by the world’s only next-generation global satellite network. It offers all the connectivity that airlines need, from delivering in-flight cellular services to instant messaging and access to the internet and corporate VPNs.

“Crucially, it is a single lightweight low-drag system that can be used for all three key areas of communication: the essential safety services, operational communications, and cabin connectivity.”

British Airways is the latest airline to deploy SwiftBroadband, using OnAir’s in-flight connectivity solution, on its new all business-class Airbus A318 service between London City Airport and New York’s JFK. The ground-breaking long-haul route was launched on 29th September 2009.

Critical to the on-going success of SwiftBroadband is the growth in the number of type-approved equipment. “There is a range of around 30 avionics and antenna that can access SwiftBroadband, and we see that increase virtually every month,” said Coiley. “It is thanks to the hard work of our manufacturing partners that the service can meet the differing needs of the aeronautical community.”

Following Inmarsat’s launch of its ‘classic’ aeronautical services on the Inmarsat-4 satellites – enabling concurrent usage of SwiftBroadband and classic services through one antenna and a single installation – aircraft avionics are now able to recognise the Inmarsat-3 and Inmarsat-4 constellations as an integrated network, allowing Inmarsat safety services to be accessed through seven ocean regions.

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 31st December 2008, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$996.7 million (2007: US$576.5 million) with an EBITDA of US$531.2 million (2007: US$388.1 million). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.