Hughes presents new Inmarsat BGAN satcom terminal for hazardous locations

Hughes Network Systems, LLC and Inmarsat recently presented the Hughes 9502 global-use terminal, the first BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) M2M (machine-to-machine) satellite communications terminal in the world to feature Hazardous Locations Accreditation.

The new Hughes BGAN terminal has successfully finished tests with accredited laboratory Met Laboratories, Inc., which cleared the Hughes 9502 for operation in hazardous locations that may have explosive gaseous atmospheres.

Hughes designed and produced its 9502 terminal for global use over the Inmarsat BGAN L-band satellite service. The new satellite communications terminal enables highly affordable and reliable end-to-end IP data connectivity for a wide variety of customers, including global energy customers who deploy SCADA networks in hazardous environments.

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New Inmarsat M2M solution uses Galaxy1 satellite communications technology

Inmarsat recently announced the launch of Remote Terminal Manager, a new M2M solution that manages and controls unmanned M2M satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals.

Users of Inmarsat’s M2M portfolio services (including the BGAN M2M product) will be able to remotely control their devices through Remote Terminal Manager without needing to send teams to troubleshoot or manually reboot terminals.

The Remote Terminal Manager uses a map interface to display the location and status of Inmarsat M2M terminals worldwide. With this tool, users can remotely control the terminals.

Galaxy1 -an independent provider of satellite communications services and part of the Inmarsat partner community- provided licensed technology for the new Inmarsat M2M management solution.

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Inmarsat helps out Race2Recovery team with SATCOM gear, services for 2013 Dakar Rally

The Race2Recovery team will be participating in the 2013 Dakar Rally in South America with the help of satellite communications equipment and services provided by Inmarsat.

Inmarsat will provide the team with its portable and vehicular BGAN satellite communications terminals, eight IsatPhone Pro handheld satellite phones, and an unlimited voice and data service. These SATCOM systems can ensure voice and real-time broadband data connectivity for customers in some of the remotest places of the world like the Atacama Desert and the Andes mountain range.

Thanks to the SATCOM equipment provided by Inmarsat, the Race2Recovery team can maintain contact during their preparations in Morocco and during the 8,000 kilometer rally itself. They can open a video link with their support crews back in the UK, and call for help during any emergencies they encounter. Other, more mundane uses include posting updates on Facebook, Twitter, and the charity’s website.

Injured ex-British and American service personnel, veterans, and expert volunteers comprise the Race2Recovery team. They are joining the off-road endurance race with the goal of collecting money for Help For Heroes and associated US charities.

According to Mr. Tony Harris, co-director of the Race2Recovery team, he and his teammates can rely on the Inmarsat BGAN terminals to supply them with superb voice and broadband connectivity in some of the most remote places on Earth. He describes the Inmarsat satellite communications kit to be incredibly simple, lightweight, and compact. It was also great for sending emails and posting texts and images on social media sites.

Mr. Harris recalled that one of the team's vehicles suffered two punctures during the first training session in Morocco back in October. Each vehicle only carried one spare tire, so the Race2Recovery was forced to send a vehicle to locate new tires. The search team found a tire supplier through BGAN, and the different crews used the IsatPhone Pro handheld satphones to stay in touch with each other.

In addition to serving as a co-director for Race2Recovery, Tony Harris will also participate in the 2013 Dakar Rally as a driver. He is a former Captain of the Royal Regiment of Fuseliers and a veteran of the Afghan Conflict. He is also a below-the-knee amputee.

Beam Communications installs IsatDock Pro at Russian Antarctic polar station

Beam Communications recently installed its Inmarsat IsatDock Pro product at the remote Antarctic Polar Station in Russia. The Inmarsat product will support the station’s various satellite communications systems.

The Russian Federation operates five research stations in the polar regions. During research seasons, the sites’ population can grow to more than 150, which is a significant number considering the inherent difficulties of supplying polar sites.

The Russian polar stations rely on a number of satellite communication systems such as Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro, BGAN, and Iridium. They can access the Inmarsat satellite communications network even at 78 to 79 latitudes due to the uniqueness of the Antarctic landscape.

The installation process put a number of antennas to the test. The ISD710 Maritime Active Antenna and the ISD700 Fixed Passive Antenna were singled out for providing high voice quality despite the severe environment. Beam’s IsatDock Pro SATCOM solution achieved similar performances.

In addition to maintaining communications between several polar stations, satellite communications systems also allows station personnel to contact the mainland head office and their own families.

An intelligent docking station for the IsatPhone Pro, the IsatDock Pro uses Bluetooth and RJ11/POTS to support voice services. The Inmarsat dock is key lockable and serves as a snug fit for the handset. It also charges the satellite phone and has a USB data port, a ringer antenna built into the dock itself, and permanent power connection.

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