Globecomm markets Access Maritime service platform to maritime customers

Globecomm recently began inviting owners, ship managers, officers, and crew to switch to the company's Access Maritime service platform for all their worldwide wireless and satellite communications needs.

A renowned provider of managed network communication solutions, Globecomm developed the Access Maritime platform to automatically bridge two separate groups of services: L-band services provided by MSS services like Inmarsat, Iridium, and Thuraya; and maritime VSAT, WiFi, and mobile access.

Vessels connected by the Globecomm platform will be assured of excellent voice, Internet from satellite, and e-mail services. They will also be able to access a range of high-value applications such as ship management tools and weather data.

Access Maritime delivers global coverage over multiple platforms. It empowers applications related to high-value IT utilities and ship management while maintaining flexibility and offering the ability to control costs. The platform supports voice, email, Internet from satellite, crew calling, vessel management, and IT utilities secure video chat applications. It also powers M2M solutions. Customers can be assured of technology support from Globecomm teams.

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.

Inmarsat declares plans for SwiftBroadband, Alphasat, GX Aviation at NBAA 2012

During the NBAA 2012 conference, global mobile satellite communications services provider Inmarsat discussed the new enhancements for its SwiftBroadband satellite broadband service come 2013.

Inmarsat announced that it will be introducing high data rate technology to SwiftBroadband which will increase its speed. Next is the implementation of new SwiftBroadband services specifically designed for use by helicopters. Finally, Inmarsat will take key steps in the addition of extra safety services that will leverage SwiftBroadband to deliver prioritized IP connectivity to the cockpit. These new safety services will help save up to 30% of the cost spent on satellite ACARS messaging.

In addition, Inmarsat will unveil more details about its Alphasat I-XL Ka-band satellites. The first of the three I-5 platform is currently being built by Boeing. It is scheduled for launch during the second half of 2013. Its two sister satellites will follow it at six-month intervals.

The Alphasat constellation will supplement the older I-4 satellite fleet. The new Inmarsat Ka-band satellites will boost SwiftBroadband capacity over Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Finally, Inmarsat also confirmed that GX Aviation, its global in-flight Ka-band satellite Internet service, will enter commercial availability in early 2015 following the completion of the Alphasat constellation it will leverage for capacity and connectivity.


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ORBIT Communication Systems successfully tests Triple Band feed system

ORBIT Communication Systems, Inc. was proud to announce the successful first operational deployment of its new, auto-tracking Triple Band tracking antenna systems at the US Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Triple Band technology promises to deliver unmatched performance for long-range telemetry missions while also smoothly augmenting C-band communications.

The telemetry market is adopting C-band frequencies in parallel to their legacy L- and S-bands. ORBIT designed the patent-pending feed solution to take full advantage of the new opportunity.

The Triple Band feed is a single feed that uses ORBIT's concentric coaxial cavity technology to support simultaneous telemetry communication in all three bands. It also allows users to switch between tracking bands on the fly without a drop in performance. Finally, it is compatible with antenna reflectors of various sizes, including the older ones used by L-band and S-band systems.

ORBIT delivered two of its Triple Band systems to the Naval Air Warfare Center telemetry team for strict field testing. The US Navy personnel set stringent test requirements when they performed the actual tests. They reported that ORBIT's new feed performed better, indeed, than any other available technology.

ORBIT is debuting its Triple Band solution at the International Telemetering Conference (ITC) in San Diego, California from October 23 to 25. The innovative feed solution can also be ordered, and interested customers can acquire it as part of an ugprade and refurbishment program, or as part of a new satellite communications system.


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ACTi retrofits cable MSO sites with Simulsat-5b multi-beam antenna kits

According to Antenna Technology Communications Inc. (ATCi,) its Simulsat-5b retrofit kits have been adopted and implemented by major U.S. cable multiple system operators (MSOs) at their multi-beam satellite antenna sites.

ACTi participated in the recent SCTE Cable Tec Expo in Orlando, Florida, where it made the announcement. The Company designed its Simulsat-5b system from the ground up with the latest in composite fabrication, computer simulation, and solid modeling technologies.

The original Simulsat-5 multi-beam satellite antenna can seamlessly transition into the new -5b system, which improves upon its predecessor's established full-arc and flexibility.

According to Gary Hatch, CEO of ATCi, cable MSOs needed to upgrade their older systems to the latest high-tolerance design if they wanted to ensure their digital reception remained of the highest quality when handling the MPEG-4/DVBS2 modulation. He described the Simulsat-5b update to be extremely quick and cost-effective as it can use a standard maintenance window and only replaces the reflector and feedbox of a satellite antenna system, allowing the customer to keep their old, expensive, and hard-to-replace mount.

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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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Air Force issues contracts under Protected Milsatcom Design study

According to a recent announcement made by the US Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center, the USAF’s “Protected Milsatcom Design for Affordability Risk Reduction Demonstration Study” initiative has issued  more than 15 contracts for protected military satellite communications to big satellite manufacturers.

The goal of the USAF study is to find out if existing and/or narrowly modified commercial protected satellite communications systems can be used to support future protected Milsatcom needs in a cost-effective and affordable manner. The Protected Milsatcom study will cover concept development and component level demonstrations.

The USAF awarded contracts to Boeing, General Dynamics, General Dynamic Advanced Information Systems, Government Communications Systems, Harris, Hughes Network Systems, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Markham Technology, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences, Space Micro, Raytheon, Space Systems, and ViaSat. The study participants will be given until July 28, 2013 to complete their proposals for protected satellite communications systems.

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