Inmarsat, ViaSat to Develop Mobile Satellite Solutions

LONDON, May 25, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Inmarsat is collaborating with ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) to develop new solutions based on the integration of Inmarsat’s forthcoming BGAN mobile satellite service and ViaSat’s AltaSec family of programmable, HAIPIS-compliant inline network encryption products.

The two companies said they will explore ways to better serve US Government requirements, with specific emphasis on the Department of Defense. They will examine the use of HAIPIS encryption devices, such as the NSA-certified KG-250, to secure the Inmarsat BGAN network.

BGAN, due for launch later in 2005, is the new voice and 492kbps IP data service that will be available on Inmarsat’s next-generation satellites – the Inmarsat 4s – the first of which was launched in March.

Inmarsat and ViaSat have already successfully proven the viability of using the ViaSat KG-250 Type 1 IP Network Encrpytor with Regional BGAN, Inmarsat’s 144kbps mobile data service currently serving users in a satellite footprint that covers Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa and parts of Asia.

The joint development team will also ensure that the planned multicast service for BGAN is optimized for supporting IP encryption, and specifically compatible with the High Assurance IP Equipment Interoperability Specification, which is the standard for securing US Government networks.

Michael Butler, COO of Inmarsat, said mobile satellite communications, when combined with NSA-certified Type 1 encryption devices, can be secured to the highest level.

“With our BGAN service launch, planned for later in 2005, we will offer customers unparalleled mobile broadband IP service, and it is essential that this capability can be similarly assured for government users,” he said.

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