Inmarsat activates an additional beam

Inmarsat has activated a sixth beam on its Indian Ocean Region satellite to boost capacity and provide temporary coverage in the area. This south central beam will now provide mini-M services over the entire southern Indian Ocean for competitors taking part in the Volvo round-the-world Ocean Race 2001-2002. Inmarsat says the additional mini-M services will provide communications support for the yacht teams taking part in the second leg of the race between Cape Town and the coast of Australia including voice, fax and data transfer throughout the route. The second leg of the Volvo Ocean race will cover over 6,550 nautical miles.