BGAN 9502 SCADA Solution From HUGHES

The world’s most cost-effective, all – IP BGAN machine-to-machine satellite terminal with low power consumption.

In 2009, Hughes introduced the Hughes 9201-M2M satellite IP terminal, a single –box, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)-ready, machine-to-machine version of the highly successful 9201 terminal, certified for operation on the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN). Rugged and easy to use, the Hughes 9201-M2M is fully IP compatible and configured for self-contained SCADA operation via a standard Ethernet interface.

This year Hughes introduced the most cost-effective IP SCADA solution with exceptionally low power consumption, the Hughes 9502 BGAN. With reliable connectivity over the Inmarsat service, the Hughes terminal delivers affordable, global, end-to-end IP data connectivity enabling applications in industry sectors such as environmental monitoring, SmartGrid, pipeline monitoring, compressor monitoring, well site automation, video surveillance, and out-of-band management to primary site communications.

The exceptional low power consumption (<1 W idle) makes it possible to provide end-to-end IP connectivity to sites that are off the grid. At less than a penny or two per kilobyte, customers cannot find a better value from comparable technologies.

The Hughes 9502 includes 10 meters of RF cabling, granting the user freedom to position the antenna remotely and away from the transceiver in complex installations while securing the SIM card inside a premise or enclosure to better protect against unauthorized use, theft, and vandalism.

With increasing security demands regarding SCADA and critical infrastructure protection (CIP) in the US, there is increasing use of satellite-based communication. This has the key advantages that the infrastructure can be self contained (not using circuits from the public telephone system), can have built-in encryption, and can be engineered to the availability and reliability required by the SCADA system operator. Earlier experiences using consumer-grade VSAT were poor. The Hughes 9502 BGAN provide the quality of service required for SCADA.

Allow GMPCS to help get your SCADA device online via satellite in remote areas. You can contact our solutions team at: solutions@gmpcs-us.com or call +1-954-973-3100

The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro improves remote safety

With the latest IsatPhone Pro firmware from Inmarsat, your IsatPhone Pro satellite phone can become an emergency personal alert device. The personal alert feature allows users to send their GPS coordinates and short message to predetermined recipients. The IsatPhone Pro subscriber can save time and money with the personal alert option. This new feature is similar to the SOS button on the Iridium Extreme satellite phone.

The personal alert feature enables a user to send their GPS position, along with a short pre-configured message, as an email or text message, to a maximum of 10 recipients. Personal alerts can be sent quickly whilst maximizing reliability. This is achieved by restricting the alert to one 160 character message, and mailing to each recipient separately. Each message sent is charged separately.

The personal alert is made up of the following elements:

•  Last GPS fix, time of GPS acquisition and fix accuracy
•  Time that the personal alert was triggered on the phone
•  Email address of the recipient if the alert is sent as an email
•  A short message predefined by the user, written in Latin characters

It is fairly simple to set up and activate the personal alert on the IsatPhone Pro satellite phone. To do this, make sure that you have the latest version of the IsatPhone Pro firmware. To check your firmware, choose menu > settings > about. You should have Firmware version v5.0.0 or higher, if not contact GMPCS tech support at 954-973-3100

To set up and activate a personal alert, select Extras > Personal alert > Edit personal alert. Select Configure personal alert, and edit the recipients and the message.

Once your IsatPhone Pro is set up for personal alerts the quickest way to send a personal alert is to press * and # simultaneously for at least 2 seconds from the main screen. The antenna must be deployed and your IsatPhone Pro connected to the satellite to successfully send personal alert messages. Any questions regarding this new feature, please call GMPCS 954-973-3100.

Tips and Tricks for Iridium Satellite Phones

Prior to embarking on a trip and relying on a satellite phone for your communications; you should make sure you’ve familiarized yourself with the main functions of your satphone. The user’s guide and quick start guide that your phone comes with is a good place to start, however there are a few tricks that you may not know when it comes to your Iridium satellite phone. Be sure to read these three simple ways you can get more out of your Iridium. These tips work for all Iridium handheld phones. (Iridium Extreme, Iridium 9555, Iridium 9505A ext.)

1. How people can reach you

Your Iridium satellite phone number is an international phone number, so when family and friends dial you directly they might incur heavy international phone rates. Iridium offers a 2-stage dialing option that only uses a caller’s long distance service when calling the satellite phone. To make a voice call to an Iridium phone from a regular (landline) phone, follow these steps:

• Dial: (+)1-480-768-2500 This call is a long distance call to the Arizona Iridium gateway.
• You will hear "Welcome to the Iridium Satellite Global Network"
• Then enter the Iridium 12 digit satellite phone number. (Ex: 8816-31xx-xxxx)
• Your Iridium phone must be on, and “registered” with a satellite to receive calls (otherwise it will go to your voicemail)

Another option for contacting someone with an Iridium satellite phone is sending a free SMS text message from the internet. The GMPCS site offers a quick link on the right side of the home page that allows you to send a SMS message via the internet. Simply select the satellite phone carrier’s logo and fill out the required fields and send your message. Iridium offers a FAQ guide about this service here.

2. Check your available prepaid minutes for free

If you are using prepaid airtime service for your Iridium phone you can check your available prepaid minutes very easily. You will have to register your satellite phone on the network with a clear view of the sky, then dial 2888 and press the green send button. After a short moment an automated message will come on the line and tell you your remaining balance, the amount of days left until the SIM expires as well as the expiration date. You can also get this same information by texting the 2888 number.

3. Setting up voicemail without using Iridium airtime

At any time you can check your Iridium voicemail or set up the voicemail message from a landline phone. From a landline phone dial the Arizona Iridium gateway number 1-480-768-2500. After you hear the welcome message, dial your satellite phone number beginning with 8816-XXXX-XXXX. You will then hear the voice mail prompt or your previous recorded message. Interrupt this message by pressing the star key (*). Then enter your Iridium satellite phone password (the default is last 7 digits of your satellite phone number). Now listen to the voicemail prompt for your options. When you do this from a landline you will be using your long distance service and not the Iridium satellite airtime.

If you have any questions on these services please call +1-954-973-3100

BGAN Link From Inmarsat Offers an Alternative to VSAT

Inmarsat has launched BGAN Link as an alternative to VSAT at similar price points. BGAN Link is a new service for predictable high-volume usage in fixed locations. Evolving from Inmarsat’s Maritime ‘Very Large Allowance’ concept, BGAN Link is for users who have a requirement for high volumes of standard IP data in one location. BGAN Link provides companies working in a remote area for sustained periods of time with a data connection speed of up to half a megabit, suitable for standard office-type applications such as email, internet and intranet access, and VPN access to corporate networks.

BGAN Link is an affordable alternative to VSAT with unique benefits. The service uses Inmarsat's reliable L-band satellite network which is much more resilient than Ku band in areas prone to rain or snow (as it is not affected by rain fade).  The low cost of BGAN hardware and its small size makes it perfect for semi permanent and permanent installations.  The easy setup of the BGAN means that there is no technical expertise needed and a broadband connection is established within minutes.  Also, Inmarsat's extensive list of countries where the BGAN is approved for use reduces licensing issues.

The BGAN Link service is designed to help control your budget with predictable fixed monthly costs.  Inmarsat offers BGAN Link packages of 5, 10, and 15GB per month.  New regional plans for Latin America and Sub Sahara Africa will be launched in August.  These will be even more competitive and include discounted 3, 5, 10 and 15GB per month plans.  Users can be limited to their monthly allowance or be allowed to exceed it.  Users who wish to exceed their monthly allowance are simply charged for the additional usage at the same competitive rate as the in-bundle per MB rate.  Users are permitted (for a fee) to move the BGAN Link up to 4 times a year making it a perfect solution for semi permanent camps.

With pricing at a fraction of the mobile BGAN rates, BGAN Link is a very compelling offer to anyone who needs fixed or semi fixed remote communication.

BGAN Link works on the Class-1 BGAN terminals such as the Thrane & Thrane Explorer 700 and Hughes 9201.  If you are interested in BGAN Link, please contact GMPCS Personal Communications for full application details and terms and conditions.