London to Loft Mobile Communications Satellite by 2011
LONDON, March 27, 2007 - Satnews Daily - London intends to loft a satellite of its own by 2011 for mobile and Internet communications, a plan that is now the subject of intense debate in the British media. Its critics deride it as an utter waste of taxpayers’ money and chide it for its ability to spy on drivers from space.
London is reported to have sought out satellite operator Inmarsat plc, which is based in the city, as a partner. The European Space Agency (ESA) is to conduct the launch.
The entire project will cost an estimated $1.24 billion. London hopes the project will provide advanced technology that will remove the need for controversial mobile phone masts on motor vehicles. The London Development Agency (LDA) is reported to have voted overwhelmingly in favor of it and Inmarsat’s bid to provide the satellite.
The agency said it was keen to get involved in this from the beginning. "It is important to stay at the forefront of new technology".
Inmarsat operates a fleet of 11 geosynchronous telecommunications satellites. Inmarsat's most recent series of satellites, the Inmarsat-4s, were launched in June and November 2005. These were the largest commercial telecommunications satellites ever launched. Each satellite is equipped with a global beam, 19 regional spot beams, and 228 narrow spot beams.
Inmarsat provides telephony and data services to users worldwide. Services include traditional voice calls, low-level data tracking systems and high-speed data services as well as distress and safety services. The most recent of these provides GPRS-type services at up to 492 kbit/s via the BGAN IP satellite modem the size of a notebook computer. Other services provide mobile ISDN services used by the media for live reporting on world events via videophone.
