Inmarsat BGAN

Overview 
GCS and BGAN
BGAN Services
BGAN Service Additional Features
BGAN User Terminals
Coverage Area
Schedule

Overview:
INMARSAT's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) is a new family of services and products operating at data rates up to 492 kbps. Using a lightweight satellite terminal, comparable to or smaller than the size of a laptop computer, BGAN will enable users to access email, corporate networks and the internet, transfer files, video conference, and make telephone calls, from nearly anywhere in the world. BGAN operates using a new generation (I-4) of the most advanced communications satellites ever launched, the first of which was launched successfully in March 2005. These INMARSAT I-4 satellites have 60 times the power and 16 times the capacity of the current I-3 satellite constellation, providing significantly enhanced performance and capability for users. The I-4 satellites will provide the BGAN service on up to 228 narrow spot beams while simultaneously providing the legacy services on 19 wide spot beams.

GCS and BGAN:
GCS has been following the BGAN project since its inception. Since May 2004, as BGAN started to become a reality, we have been working very closely with INMARSAT, terminal manufacturers, and several distribution partners (DP's) as products and services have been developed. Several of our current customers have benefited from these close relationships to become 'early adopters' of this exciting new technology.

BGAN Services:
The new I-4 satellites and BGAN User Terminals provide a variety of data and voice services, through several interface options. The services and interfaces vary by terminal type and manufacturer. All services are selectable by the user, on demand. A unique feature of the BGAN service is that, regardless of terminal, the switched services (voice, ISDN) are available simultaneously with the IP data services.

The following is a summary of the BGAN services that are being offered. The individual user terminal descriptions describe which services are available on each device:

Standard "Best Effort Class" IP Service is a variable bit rate, up to 492 kbps, always on service. This service is intended for web access, email, instant messaging, file transfer, and other similar applications. The applications best suited for this service are those that are tolerant of varying bit rates. The user pays only for data transacted, not by time on the network.

Premium "Streaming Class" IP Service provides a guaranteed full-duplex bit rate. User-selectable options are 32, 64, 128, or 256 kbps, and are available without any user coordination with the NOC. This service is targeted toward applications such as live video streaming, video conferencing, time-sensitive file transfers, etc. (any application that requires a guarantee of performance). The user pays for this service by the minute.

All terminals offer a toll-quality voice service that operates simultaneously with the data service. So, a user is able to initiate a large file transfer and then make a phone call while the data transfer is taking place.

Full-featured terminals (Thrane Explorer 700 and Hughes HNS-9201) also offer ISDN connectivity for connection of legacy devices such as H.320 videoconferencing CODECs and STE phones. As with the voice service, the ISDN service operates simultaneously with the IP data channel.

BGAN Service Additional Features:
Since the BGAN network utilizes a 3G GPRS switch at the earth stations, all of the features that users are familiar with on their mobile phones are available on BGAN user terminals. These features include:

• Caller ID
• Phonebook
• Call Hold
• Call Waiting
• Call Divert
• Call Barring
• Voice Mail
• Text Messaging

BGAN User Terminals:
Currently there are three user terminals that have been type approved by Inmarsat and six more in development.  These terminals are being developed to meet a variety of user needs and applications.  The first terminal deliveries were made in December 2005. Photos or artist renderings, where available, are shown below, along with key high-level specifications.

Thrane & Thrane Explorer 700 11.3 x 15.6 x 2 inches 7.0 lbs  IP data 492 kbps full duplex Streaming Class IP to 256 kbps Interface list: Ethernet, built-in WiFi access point, USB, ISDN, Phone/Fax Direct solar panel interface	Hughes HNS 9201 13.5 x 10.8 x 2 inches 5.5 lb IP data 492 kbps full duplex Streaming Class IP to 256 kbps ISDN and voice switched services Ethernet, USB, built-in WiFi Access Point
Thrane & Thrane Explorer 500 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.1 inches 2.9 lb IP data 464 kbps rx; 448 kbps tx Streaming Class IP to 128 kbps Toll-quality Voice via RJ-11 or Bluetooth Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth data interfaces	Nera 5.9 x 7.87 x 1.8 inches 2.2 lb IP data 384 kbps rx; 240 kbps tx Streaming Class IP to 64 kbps Toll-quality Voice via peripheral handset USB, Bluetooth data interfaces
Addvalue Wideye Sabre I 5.5 x 8.25 x 2 inches  2.75 lb IP data 384 kbps rx; 240 kbps tx Streaming Class IP to 64 kbps Toll-quality Voice via RJ-11 or Bluetooth USB data interfaces	Thrane & Thrane Explorer 300 6.6x 8.5 x 2.1 inches 3.1 lbs. (including battery) IP data 384 kbps rx; 240kbps tx Streaming Class IP to 64kbps Toll-quality Voice via RJ-11 or Bluetooth Ethernet, Bluetooth interfaces

Coverage Area:

This coverage map depicts the coverage provided by the first two satellites currently in service. The small circles or ovals are the individual spot beams that will provide the new BGAN service.

RED = 4F1 or IOR satellite

BLUE = 4F2 or AOR satellite

YELLOW = 4F3 or POR satellite

Schedule:

• March 11, 2005: 4F1 (IOR) launched successfully
• July 9, 2005: R-BGAN transition to 4F1 begins
• November 8, 2005: 4F2 (AOR) launced successfully
• November 2005: BGAN beta test begains on 4F1
• Dec 2005: BGAN service starts on 4F1
• 2Q2006: BGAN service starts on 4F2
• 1Q2007 (tent.): 4F3 launch