Inmarsat launches low-powered unit

Mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat has launched a new service. Called mini-C it is a low-powered and compact communications unit for small vessels. Inmarsat says mini-C is an evolution of its -C technology and will support many of that service?s applications, but at a reduced power consumption. The service will offer e-mail, position reporting and polling, fax, telex shortcode addressing and mobile-to-mobile messaging services for situations where power supply is limited. Inmarsat mini-C will enable maritime two-way messaging, monitoring and tracking applications, non-SOLAS emergency alerting, reception of weather charts and electronic chart correction. In the merchant sector it can also deliver commercial information for shipping and transport companies, fishing and merchant fleet data applications, anti-piracy and navigation aids. However the SOLAS GMDSS distress service will not be available via mini-C. Inmarsat mini-C can also be installed as supplementary terminals for crew communications to complement existing communications services onboard, says Inmarsat.