The FleetBroadband, which is the Inmarsat approved maritime version of the BGAN equipment is scheduled for launch towards the end of this year
Even got this word from Steve Buckingham of KVH...
The FleetBroadband, which is the Inmarsat approved maritime version of
the BGAN equipment is scheduled for launch towards the end of this year.
Inmarsat is scheduled to have an open discussion in Miami on
FleetBroadband towards the end of this month, but I haven't received
confirmation on it yet. There are some vessel installing vehicle BGANs
on their vessels, but Inmarsat is advising against it and will not
support the products if there are problems.
* No word of gear (equipment) for this yet. Or what the billing will be like. It would be nice if it followed the ideal of Inmarsat and gave you the capability to turn it off and not be billed when you are not using it. In contrast VSAT systems bill every month around $2000+ flat.
* * Inmarsat says...
Fleet Broadband (aka BGAN) Service Launching in November 2007
http://www.inmarsat.com/Services/Mar...textonly=False
FleetBroadband (aka BGAN?) Service Launching in November 2007
(according to Inmarsat: Cost-Effective, Faster Data)
Launching in November 2007, FleetBroadband is the first maritime communications service to provide cost-effective broadband data and voice, simultaneously, through a compact antenna on a global basis.
Flexible migration
FleetBroadband takes your vessel into the IP era. But if you're not quite ready to move to IP, it still supports the core ISDN capability of our existing services.
Based on 3G standards, it provides constant, simultaneous access to voice and broadband data.
Operational systems can be running online and you can still access email, the internet and make phone calls - all via a single terminal.
Capabilities
Standard IP
Up to 432kbps over a shared channel, for email, internet and intranet access.
Streaming IP
Guaranteed data rates on demand up to 256kbps.
Voice
Simultaneous voice and data via the same terminal.
ISDN
Supports ISDN at 64kbps for legacy applications.
SMS text
Send and receive text messages.
Terminals
Two types of terminal will be available, with different performance capabilities and size:
FB250
Will offer Standard IP up to 284kbps and Streaming IP up to 128kbps. Antenna 25cm in diameter.
FB500
Will offer Standard IP up to 432kbps and Streaming IP up to 256kbps. Antenna 50 cm in diameter.
Both terminals are designed specifically for the marine environment and also support voice, fax and SMS.
Following the successful launch of the third Inmarsat-4 satellite, FleetBroadband will be available globally, except in the extreme polar regions. At service launch, it will be available in the Indian and Atlantic ocean regions.
*** Earlier I contacted Inmarsat for their word on BGAN/Fleet Broadband:
FleetBroadband available Q4 2007 over 2 satellites (Pacific coverage requires 3rd Satellite launch expected in 2008)
See:
http://telecom.dyndns.biz/BGAN-Coverage-72406.pdf for the BGAN/Fleet Broadband Map (PDF Document) mentioned in this message. Note I-4 Satellites F2 (AOR Region - at 53 degrees West Longitude) and F1 (IOR Region - at 64 degrees East Longitude). For those that travel in particular areas of ocean you can see what areas will be covered starting this year. Missing is the I-4 F3 Satellite which the following information seems to indicate is expected to be launched in 2008, next year. --- Notes by: Alan Spicer / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom ---
MESSAGE FROM INMARSAT FOLLOWS, IN RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRY:
03/07/2007
From:
fbenquiries@inmarsat.com
To: Alan Spicer
Dear Mr Spicer,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your query.
FleetBroadband will be available commercially for sale in Q4 of this year. At that time, we will have availability over two satellites that will provide Caribbean and the US with coverage. In 2008 we hope to have our third satellite successfully launched and providing coverage in the Pacific region.
I have attached a coverage map for your information.
Please let me know if this does not answer your questions.
Yours sincerely,
Lisa Wagner
FleetBroadband Commercial Programme
Inmarsat, 99 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AX, UK
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7728 1207
Mob: + 44 (0)777 570 8450
www.inmarsat.com
---
Alan Spicer (a_spicer (at) bellsouth.net)
http://telecom.dyndns.biz/ 
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