Inmarsat-4 approved launched

Inmarsat has decided to proceed with its fourth generation system, at a cost of $1.4 billion.

The space segment of the system will consist of two in-orbit satellites plus one ground spare. Inmarsat says it will offer customers a range of personal multi-media communications at between 144 and 432kbps/sec via portable, light-weight, Internet-ready satellite modem units. These are designed to be used primarily with a mobile notebook computer for multi-media communications services.

Services range from Internet-based e-business, on-line content-based services, video conferencing and voice telephone.

The services will be compatible with third generation cellular systems and will provide a satellite overlay for the terrestrial International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 networks, says Inmarsat.

The satellites will be located at 54 deg west and 64 deg east longitude, will operate with the existing Inmarsat-3 satellites and will continue to support the global maritime distress and safety system. They will operate in Inmarsat`s existing MSS L-band allocations in the 1.5/1.6GHz band.

Contact: Elizabeth Hess
Fax: + 44 171 728 1179.