India's Reliance Q4 Sales Rise
Indian energy company Reliance Industries Ltd posted nearly flat fourth-quarter profits, in line with estimates, as a slimmer margin in its oilrefining business offset higher revenue. Reliance, which operates the world's biggest refining complex in western India, reported net profit of 56.31 billion rupees for the quarter to end-March, compared with analysts' expectations of 56.62 billion rupees. Its average gross refining margin dropped to $9.30 per barrel from $10.10 a year earlier, although it was up from the preceding quarter's $7.60. Net sales rose 13 percent. Investors have focussed, however, on the oil and gas production business at Reliance, India's second most valuable company which is controlled by its richest man, Mukesh Ambani.
Telenor Selected as Premier Provider
Telenor Satellite Services was chosen as a premier service provider of the next generation of mobile satellite communications, Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN). BGAN, currently planned for commercial launch in 2005, will offer high-speed circuit-switched and packet data services, plus voice telephony, via a portfolio of small, lightweight user terminals. The enhanced capabilities of the BGAN system are made possible through a new generation of satellites, known as Inmarsat 4, the first of which was successfully launched in March 2005, and is now being prepared to begin service. The Inmarsat 4 generation of satellites will be the most powerful communication satellites ever launched by any commercial organization.
Telenor Activates 3000th BGAN Terminal Activation
Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway announced that the company has activated its 3000th Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) terminal. BGAN offers users high-speed IP-based broadband communications plus simultaneous voice (telephony) calling via a portfolio of small, lightweight user terminals. The robust communications service from Telenor is especially useful for a variety of IP-based applications such as streaming video, videoconferencing and Web browsing. The service allows businesses and organizations to extend networks to their remote operations sites. Telenor, the second largest Distribution Partner in BGAN activations, was able to meet this benchmark thanks to its extensive Telenor Global Distribution Network.
Iridium Satellite Launches Services
Iridium Satellite kicked off the commercial launch of its global satellite communications services at a press conference on March 28. The Iridium gateway is fully operational, enabling the delivery of truly mobile, truly global voice telephony services. The company will launch data services, including dial-up access and direct Internet connectivity, in June 2001, followed by short burst messaging services, which are expected to be available later in the year. Users can benefit from reliable mobile telephony to and from remote areas of the globe where terrestrial systems are not available. With complete coverage of the Earth's oceans…
Back in Business -- Iridium Returns Under New Ownership
When Iridium, the $5 billion satellite company, fell into bankruptcy on March 18, 2000, it went down as one of the costliest corporate fiascoes of all time. More than one year later, Iridium is back in business, though under completely new ownership. Iridium raised a few eyebrows and a fair share of skeptics with its decision to launch its global satellite communications services. How could the new company prosper when the previous one — using the same technology had failed? Enter Gino Picasso, the company's CEO. Up front and honest, Picasso says that the new Iridium is no pipe dream. Speaking via telephone from a restaurant near Iridium's Tempe, Ariz. offices, Picasso shared his visions and ideas with MR/EN regarding the future of the new company.
