Thrane & Thrane is expanding its partnership with Inmarsat, gaining a key strategic position in Global Xpress, Inmarsat's forthcoming satellite communication network. Thrane & Thrane has signed an agreement with international mobile satellite services provider Inmarsat to become a key manufacturer in the forthcoming launch of the new Global Xpress™ network scheduled for 2013 and expected to deliver mobile broadband services with very high data speeds.
Under the agreement, Thrane & Thrane will develop new maritime broadband terminals for the high-speed Global Xpress network operating in the Ka-band. The new Global Xpress products expand Thrane & Thrane's already broad portfolio of maritime broadband communication products. “It is of strategic importance for Thrane & Thrane to gain a strong foothold in the Ka-band market,” said Walther Thygesen, CEO of Thrane & Thrane, and he continued, “The new Global Xpress terminals will complement both our existing and very popular SAILOR FleetBroadband terminals, which have reached sales of more than 20,000, and our recently launched SAILOR 900 VSAT broadband solution for the maritime market. We also expect that Global Xpress will open new market opportunities.”
The world merchant fleet has a rapidly growing need for constant ship-to-shore communication, for example to ensure effective utilization of the fleet, and that increases demand for reliable high-speed connectivity with global coverage. The Global Xpress agreement with Inmarsat will enable Thrane & Thrane to meet the growing demand for data communication even more efficiently in the future by offering a unique, comprehensive portfolio of solutions that are flexible and very reliable, also in rough weather conditions.
Thrane & Thrane expects to launch the initial terminals for the Global Xpress network at the planned commercial introduction of Global Xpress in 2013. The agreement with Inmarsat will not affect Thrane & Thrane's current financial guidance.