Immarsat Contracts 'Global Express' Satellite Terminal Manufacturers

Inmarsat signs contracts with initial land satellite terminal manufacturing partners for its forthcoming Global Xpress® service.

Cobham Satcom, Paradigm Comm and Skyware Global will manufacture 0.6 to 2.4 metre aperture terminals to deliver up to 50Mbps downlink speeds. The range will cover fixed, transportable, 'fly-away' and 'manpack' terminal types.

The terminals have been specifically designed for operation in the Ka-band and will utilise a new core module developed by VT iDirect to provide state-of-the-art capabilities.

Scheduled for service introduction in 2014, Global Xpress will offer unprecedented high data rate (HDR) bandwidth and global coverage. The Ka-band satellite network will provide super-fast uplink and downlink data rates, all backed by Inmarsat quality standards, performance and global reach.

The signing of the first three land terminal manufacturing partners represents a strong endorsement of Global Xpress' service innovation, and will ensure availability of high-speed land satellite terminals at service introduction.