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Inmarsat to Launch Satellite in 2007 |
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LONDON, Sept. 5, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― Inmarsat said on Monday it plans to launch the third Inmarsat-4 satellite next year as it announced an agreement with ACeS International Limited (ACeS), a leading Asian hand-held voice satellite services operator, to offer low-cost hand-held and fixed voice services, initially in the Asian market with extended coverage expected in early 2007 by combining satellite resources.
Inmarsat said the satellite is already fully-built and tested and is currently in storage. Inmarsat expects to spend around $130 to 150 million for the launch of the satellite plus the cost of an additional earth station to be located in the United States.
Inmarsat said the launch of the third satellite will be important to the success of a global hand-held service. Inmarsat said global Inmarsat-4 coverage will enhance the BGAN service and provide incremental opportunities for new broadband maritime and aeronautical services to be launched on the Inmarsat-4 satellite.
Under the collaboration arrangements with ACeS, Inmarsat will assume responsibility for satellite and network operations, wholesale service provision, as well as product and service development. ACeS will focus on distribution of MSS products in the important Asian land and maritime markets and will become a distributor of Inmarsat's BGAN services.
Inmarsat plans to expand geographic coverage for the hand-held service in early 2007 using the existing Inmarsat-4 satellite covering Asia and further intends to deploy a fully-global service within two years. To enable expanded coverage using the existing Inmarsat-4 satellites, Inmarsat will undertake a process of network upgrades and an accelerated modernization of the ACeS R190 hand-held satellite phone.
To support a seamless global hand-held service and to achieve global coverage for BGAN and new broadband maritime and aeronautical services, Inmarsat said it will target a launch date in late 2007 for Inmarsat-4.
Andrew Sukawaty, chairman and CEO of Inmarsat, said the collaboration with ACeS accelerates Inmarsat’s entry into the hand-held market and begins to realize one of the growth opportunities the company has been targeting. “Leveraging our Inmarsat-4 satellites and network of distribution partners, we expect to roll out a global Inmarsat hand-held service within two years,” he explained.
Inmarsat estimates the global hand-held market is worth $350 million today in wholesale revenues and is growing. Following the introduction of a global hand-held service, Inmarsat said it is targeting a market share of at least 10 percent by 2010.
Adi Adiwoso, chairman and CEO of ACeS, said ACeS will leverage its strong regional presence to introduce Inmarsat BGAN services to its channels and renew focus on hand-held sales.
“With the continued support of strong national service providers, PSN in Indonesia, PLDT in the Philippines and ARS in Thailand, we have a bright future and a significant market opportunity,” he explained.
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