Industry changing BGAN terminal from Cobham SATCOM

For several years BGAN has been delivering everyday necessities such as voice, fax, and broadband data connectivity in a completely portable, user-friendly device. BGAN makes it possible to connect a regular laptop to the internet, or your corporate network, at speeds upwards of 500 kbps, no matter what your global position may be. With no technical expertise required, one can easily setup a robust, secure network and, in turn, create a mobile workstation anywhere in the world.


Because of these benefits, and the versatility of BGAN, it is used in numerous fields. One example is the many broadcasting corporations benefiting from the portability and superior performance of BGAN while in war zones, remote regions or even at sporting events. Quick data transfers and excellent picture quality allow news teams to transmit their stories more quickly, therefore making it possible to break the news sooner. Also, Oil and gas companies rely on BGAN to quickly and securely relay data back to their offices for analysis and consultation. The quick speeds of BGAN allow for a greater rate of exploration efficiency and greatly reduce your find-time in the fields.


Now Cobham SATCOM has introduced their latest BGAN terminal; the Explorer 710 BGAN. The Explorer 710 BGAN will support an amazing service for satellite broadcasters – delivering an expected streaming rate of about 650kbps with its full channel option for higher quality video news-gathering.


The Explorer 710 will be the smallest class 1 BGAN terminal, and the first to use the new BGAN HDR (Higher Data Rates) service platform from Inmarsat that is scheduled for commercial launch in Q3 2013. The Explorer 710 will also introduce advanced features including the ability to bond the signals from multiple terminals via Ethernet and achieve IP streaming rate of 1 Mbps or even higher. It also introduces a number of enhancements, including bonding and smartphone connectivity.


If you would like more details on the Explorer 710 BGAN you can view this product page here for pricing and specifications.

Louisiana Uses BGAN State-Wide Emergency Communications, Should You?

Inmarsat BGAN

In preparation for the Hurricane season Louisiana has deployed BGAN terminals to support state-wide emergency communications. Inmarsat stated that their comprehensive mobile satellite solution for Louisiana included BGAN terminals for continuity of operations and communications for field personnel. With Inmarsat BGAN emergency responders are able to set up command centers that will support voice and data in times of disaster when they are needed most.

The Gulf received a double battering of hurricane’s in 2005 with Katrina and Rita. As a result 1,464 lives were lost and the destruction was detrimental to the region. When large storms such as these hurricanes strike, terrestrial and wireless systems fail do to fallen communication towers or network overload. Satellite communications are not reliant on these venerable ground stations, so service would not be affected by natural disasters. Emergency communications can help saves lives which is why Louisiana has taken instated their state-wide communications with BGAN.

State agencies seeking alternative, reliable communications for disaster and emergency situations should consider satellite broadband with Inmarsat BGAN.

Can You Afford a BGAN Terminal? 
A BGAN terminal is affordable and so is the airtime. They are designed for simplicity and ease of use. No specialist technical expertise is required to set up and use it. It is also easy to manage costs, because you can track service usage and charges in real-time. Inmarsat voice and data services are accessed by a range of portable, fixed or vehicular BGAN terminals, which provide features and performance options to suit different operational needs. If you are looking to compare you options and the prices click on this comprehensive overview of the most popular and affordable models of BGAN.

If you would like to receive a quote on BGAN equipment or talk to a sales representative visit www.gmpcs-us.com or call 1-888-667-6727

GMPCS exhibits new “KA-band” FlyAway Uplink Solutions at NAB

Despite the advancements in LTE and bonded-cellular technologies, the need for “guaranteed” bandwidth and truly mobile satellite equipment is greater now than ever for media organizations— especially when cellular networks get congested or traditional Internet networks are not available. As part of its ongoing response to this need, GMPCS, a leading global satellite communications provider, has introduced a new line of KA-band uplink field kits — packaging portable IP-based FlyAway suitcases or vehicle-based DriveAway terminals for Satellite News Gathering applications.

GMPCS’s DiNGo™ and KAnine™ systems represent state-of-the-art advances in KA-band satellite communications with optional video transmission technologies. GMPCS Pipeline™ bundles feature the latest IP-based encoders, satellite modems and mobile antenna systems as well as the respective KA-band airtime services – for true one-stop-shopping. The portable/suitcase kits or vehicle/roof-mount solution easily enable almost all IP-based applications such as live video streaming, file-transfer, e-mail, phone/IFB and web browsing.

“KA-band has reduced not only the size and weight of traditional FlyAway terminals, but has also substantially decreased the capital and operational costs for guaranteed broadband via satellite,” announced John Stoltz, Director of Media Sales for GMPCS. “With our KAnine™ suitcase FlyAway package or the DiNGo™ vehicle-mount DriveAway system, a story can be transmitted for broadcast when cellular networks are not available and more affordably than traditional satellite uplinks.”

Packaged with a camera, portable encoder and the lightweight KA-band flyaway terminal, such as the Cobham EXPLORER-3075, field users are able to encode, edit, and uplink archived or real-time video. When utilizing the latest Satellite-IP modems from ViaSat, iDirect & Hughes and respective regional KA-band service, guaranteed bandwidth speeds up to 10Mbps can be achieved for live streaming, Internet communications, IFB and other mobile office applications. The Cobham EXPLORER terminal also allows for a hardware upgrade path to the new global KA-band service from Inmarsat, called Global Xpress®, which will be available next year.

These mobile SNG systems exhibited by GMPCS are the next generation of “mobile one-man uplinks.”

GMPCS Personal Communications will showcase this technology at the NAB Show® in Las Vegas, Nevada at their booth # SU-10102

Launch of Thuraua IP+ Expands the GMPCS Portfolio of Mobile Satellite Terminals

This month Thuraya Telecommunications Company announced the launch of the new Thuraya IP+ mobile satellite broadband terminals. The Thuraya IP+ is the latest broadband data terminal, useful for people who require reliable data connectivity in areas with inadequate terrestrial infrastructure.

 
The Thuraya IP+ terminal is very similar to the Inmarsat BGAN, however it transmits broadband services over Thuraya’s extensive satellite network. The Thuraya satellite footprint covers more than two-thirds of the globe across 140 countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and Middle East. For a complete list of countries that have Thuraya coverage, click here.

Two main functions of the Thuraya IP+ are Standard IP and Streaming IP. The terminal has a built-in antenna that can support up to 444 Kbps on Standard IP and 384 Kbps on Streaming IP. These services along with the size and portability of the Thuraya IP+ make it the fastest and lightest mobile satellite broadband terminal. With the battery included this terminal weighs only 3.1lbs.

You may notice that the terminal looks very similar to the Hughes 9202 BGAN. That is because the Thuraya IP+ is manufactured by Hughes Network Systems, Inc., USA and is the same trusted company that manufactures the 9201 and 9202 BGANs.

The Thuraya IP+ is ideal for various mission-critical operations such as broadcast media, defense, telemedicine and disaster response. The terminal will be a key benefit for high quality video streaming, broadband internet access, Virtual Private Network (VPN) email and more.

A Unique features only found in the Thuraya IP+ terminal is the three types of Streaming Alerts a user can set up to prevent runaway terminals or bill shock. The types of Streaming Alerts that can be set up include: Audio, Visual and web Man Machine Interface (wMMI). When a Streaming Alert is enabled on the terminal an audio alert (beep from the terminal buzzer) will sound every 30 seconds after 10 minutes of inactivity during a streaming session. Also the display backlight will flash every 10 seconds and the web MMI will display a timer to track the duration of the streaming session.

GMPCS Personal Communications plans on having the Thuraya IP+ terminal available later this year. If you have any questions or would like please contact us at contact@gmpcs-us.com or visit www.gmpcs-us.com

7 Ways For Controlling Airtime Cost on Your Inmarsat BGAN

Inmarsat’s BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) has proven to be an asset to many industries. The service is being used for a variety of broadcast applications, aid organizations and oil & gas companies. You may think that the BGAN equipment and service is only available to fortune 500 companies, but that is not true. You too, can have a mobile satellite communications service that offers a variety of voice and data services in a small, portable device. Not only is the equipment affordable, but in this blog I will give you tips on how to maximize BGAN performance while maintaining low costs on the airtime service.

No matter which BGAN terminal you are using; a Thrane Explorer or a Hughes, some simple steps and precautions can be taken to keep usage costs where you expect them to be. Ideally, these recommendations should be implemented prior to departure. Always make sure to set up and test your unit so you're confident the BGAN will be plug and play once you need to use it.

BGAN Basics
When using a BGAN terminal always make sure you have a clear view of the sky with no structures blocking the way. This includes trees, mountains and tall buildings. Clouds, fog, rain, snow, wind and smoke will not affect BGAN reception or call quality like it will with satellite TV. This is known in the industry as “rain fade.”

Controlling Airtime Cost
It is important to remember that when you are using BGAN airtime, you are responsible for all data and voice that is transmitted from your device.   Also keep in mind that it is best not to log in repeatedly to send individual emails. The best solution is to save emails as drafts offline, then log on to send all of them at once. Below are more tips to help reduce unnecessary data transmission and control your cost.

1. Disable any automatic updates: When your computer logs onto the internet it may search for automatic updates for Windows or other programs. It is wise to disable this option so you don’t end up paying for data transfers you could get at a later time.



2. Do not leave web pages open: Some websites have many photos that are downloaded when visited. Others like CNN have a live news feed that will continue to update in the background while you are online. This can be dangerous for your airtime. Make sure to close these sites while you are working in other applications or your computer is unattended.



3. Minimize use of streaming media: There is no need to use the streaming guaranteed bandwidth connection unless you are streaming live video. For email and browsing the web use the standard IP connection. Streaming options are billed at a per-minute rate, not by data transferred.
   
   
4. Minimize sending and downloading large files: This includes photos and videos. Minimize the file size as much as possible before sending any via BGAN.



5. Enable a WEPKEY for BGAN Wi-Fi networks: Specifically, the Hughes HNS 9201 and the Thrane & Thrane explorer 700 have Wi-Fi enabled capability with no security. If this is not password protected other people may see your network and use it. This can lead to very high unexpected usage. Disable the Wi-Fi feature for extra protection or make it password protected. See the user guide for encryption standards.



6. Use client-based email instead of webmail. Using webmail like Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo can be 10 to 20 times more expensive than Outlook, or GMPCS SpeedMail.



7. Increase your data efficiency with a Web Optimizer: The third party device known as a WebXaccelerator 102 will block unwanted traffic, prevent runaway bills and more. This is an Inmarsat certified device and highly recommended for BGAN users. You can read more about it on this site here.

As always the GMPCS technical support team is available 24/7. If you have any questions about these tips we can assist. We'll answer any other problems you may have. Call us at 1-888-664-6727 or visit GMPCS support.

Portable Broadband Office Anywhere in the World With BGAN

When travelling the world, you may find yourself in remote locations where there is little to no access to the local terrestrial or cellular networks. Some international networks can be unreliable and even if you are able to make a good connection you will often find that the roaming fees can be cost prohibitive. Being able to conduct your business on a global basis is vital and the Inmarsat BGAN keeps you connected. The BGAN service delivers a reliable broadband connection over satellite wherever you may go using one of the small, portable, lightweight, cutting edge BGAN terminals. GMPCS is an established Inmarsat Partner and is well equipped to provide you with the right Inmarsat BGAN equipment and service for your application.

Inmarsat BGAN is the world’s first mobile communications service to deliver broadband Internet accessand voice connectivity, simultaneously, through a single, truly portable device, anywhere on the planet. It is also the first mobile communications service to offer guaranteed data rates on demand. BGAN is a satellite terminal that you can connect to using your laptop, your smartphone or any tablet computer. It is very compact and lightweight and some of the terminals are equipped with a Wi-Fi hot spot. BGAN terminals are battery powered and can be recharged from any AC or DC power source.


Based on IP technology, BGAN provides you with a data connection to the Internet or your corporate network at speeds up to 492Kbps. BGAN enables you to remotely access all the applications you would normally access from your desktop via a secure and reliable connection and you can even make a phone call at the same time.


BGAN is quite simple to deploy and operate. Making a connection is as simple as these steps: 

1. Find a clear view of the Southern sky (Northern sky if you operate in the Southern Hemisphere)
2. Power on the BGAN unit and wait for it to acquire a GPS positions
3. Point the BGAN toward the Inmarsat satellite covering your area, let it register to the network and launch the connection.
4. You are now connected to the Internet and can connect your laptop, smartphone or tablet computer using the Wifi hotspot (on certain models), an Ethernet cable, USB or Bluetooth. You can also place voice calls and send text messages.

There are several types of BGAN to suite your needs. For more information on the variety of BGAN units view this comprehensive comparison chart . If you have questions or need a more catered solution for remote broadband contact a specialist at www.gmpcs-us.com or 954-973-3100

Maintaining Vital Communication for Oil and Gas in Remote Facilities Leveraging Satellite Technologies

Increased volatility in the industry is moving companies to look at ensuring all aspects of production are as effective and risks are managed effectively.

With increased exploration, particularly in remote locations such as off-shore drilling the need to enable communication, for both monitoring and human capital reasons have become key concerns for leadership teams of Oil and Gas companies.

Our series of articles over the next few weeks will address how satellite technology is being used by many companies to enhance operations and how to evaluate it in the context of your business operations for both reliability and cost effectiveness.

Topics we will cover include:

• Enabling exploration teams stay in touch with the progress of oil exploration and discoveries
• Determining suitability of satellite technology for 24/7 monitoring of remote wells and pipeline activity
• Leveraging satellite communication as part of recruitment and retention strategies for remote workers
• Using satellite technology as part of emergency procedures

We will cover the following technology landscape during our series:

• GSPS: The fit of handheld devices in Oil and Gas and understanding the pricing complexities of pre-paid and post-paid
• BGAN/Data: How to enable portable remote data connectivity using transportable satellite devices
• M2M: How satellite technologies can be used for high reliability monitoring purposes in remote locations with limited power and cell coverage
• VSAT: How fixed satellite services can be a cost effective means to provide internet bandwidth to a camp or remote office.

GMPCS is a specialist in enabling remote and hostile environment communication. With over 10 years and 10,000 customers worldwide we have enabled companies to succeed in providing secure and reliable communication to enable business continuity. For further details on our services for the Oil and Gas market please visit our website www.gmpcs-us.com or contact Tanga Williams in sales at 954-725-1012.

Inmarsat Prepaid Vouchers Work Within the United States

Beginning September 1, 2012 Inmarsat will be offering global prepaid satellite service for both voice and data on Inmarsat terminals. This will apply to all new and existing Inmarsat prepaid SIM Cards for the IsatPhone Pro, BGAN, FleetBroadband and FleetPhone units. The Inmarsat prepaid service was originally only available outside of the US, but it will now be fully global.

Benefits for IsatPhone Pro users Prepaid services are popular with clients who work on short term or seasonal projects and prefer not to commit to a contract. Inmarsat offers a variety of prepaid vouchers for the IsatPhone Pro to fit any requirement Small and large vouchers are available, giving you airtime with an average cost of $1.10 per minute and $0.55 per SMS. A list of available vouchers for sale can be found here. One key benefit of Inmarsat prepaid is any unused minutes will roll over if the SIM is loaded with another voucher before the expiration date. If you allow your prepaid minutes to expire, the prepaid SIM will remain active, you can recharge it when you like and you keep the same sat phone number.

BGAN Prepaid benefits Inmarsat BGAN customers will also benefit from global prepaid voice and data services. Not only do the BGAN prepaid vouchers have the same airtime roll over benefit as the IsatPhone Pro, but the validity for use on the BGAN airtime is 730 days. This means that even the smallest prepaid BGAN voucher of 10.99 MB of standard IP or 100 voice minutes is valid for about 2 years. BGAN Prepaid service includes Standard IP, SMS and Voice service; streaming and ISDN services are available upon request on initial activation only. Fax service is not available e on BGAN prepaid. More information and Global prepaid options for BGAN are now available on this airtime page.

With the announcement of Inmarsat prepaid available for global use, airtime for the IsatPhone Pro and BGAN will be simple with no credit check, no annual contract or bills. For more information on the Inmarsat prepaid options visit GMPCS or contact a representative at 1-888-664-6727

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

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.

Inmarsat BGAN Terminal From Hughes Awarded

The Hughes 9201 BGAN broadcasting live video via Inmarsat

After receiving the 2011 product of the year award a few months ago from Satellite Spotlight, the Hughes 9202 BGAN is proving its value. Satellite Spotlight gave the award to Hughes for the 9202 land portable satellite terminal because of Hughes’ commitment to quality and excellence while addressing real needs in the marketplace. The Hughes 9202 has been a popular selling BGAN, and is packed with features.

The Hughes 9202 is the smallest Class-2 BGAN terminal, offering users IP connection speeds up to 464 kbps over the Inmarsat network. One of the most unique and exclusive feature to this unit is the built-in, multi-user Wi-Fi access. Therefore users have the option to send and receive IP traffic via Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. As with all BGAN models, the Hughes 9202 is IP-based, delivering selectable, dedicated Quality of Service (QoS) levels. For more information and pricing, you can view the Hughes 9202 product page.

Hughes has had such great success with the 9202 on the Inmarsat network it will be interesting to see what they have in store for the future of their only Class-1 BGAN, the Hughes 9201. We expect that it may be harder to get your hands on the Hughes 9201 later this year. Industries such as the broadcast media, mining and oil/gas industry rely on the Hughes 9201. So it we’ll see what Hughes has in store for this established BGAN.

If you are interested in the Hughes 9201 terminal, now may be the best time to purchase one. The main difference with Hughes 9201 model compared to the new one; is that the Hughes 9201 is a Class-1 BGAN. A Class-1 BGAN allows higher bandwidth speeds up to 492kbps. Also, on a Class-1 terminal, multi-user functions allow users to perform more than one task simultaneously. For instance, it is possible to send store-and-forward video via Standard IP, while simultaneously using Streaming IP for a live broadcast. The Hughes 9201 is currently available with more details and pricing on the Hughes 9201 product page.

For a helpful comparison chart on more Inmarsat BGAN options, click here.

Inmarsat’s Airtime Changes for the IsatPhone Pro and IsatPhone Link

In the past, Inmarsat’s Prepaid validity timeframes were easy to remember and understand. Regardless of the number of units you recharged with, the validity was extended by 730 days from the date of topup. This validity extension will be changing soon for a couple of the Inmarsat terminal types, namely the IsatPhone Pro and IsatPhone Link terminals.

As of June 1st (UTC), any additional units you add to an IsatPhone Pro or IsatPhone Link Prepaid subscription will, at most, extend your validity 365 days from the date of topup. All new extensions will be from date of topup and not the original expiration date. The full list of new validity extensions by Prepaid voucher size can be seen in the following chart:

Options	Validity
25 unit voucher	30 days
50 unit voucher	90 Days
100 unit voucher	180 Days
250 unit voucher	180 Days
500 unit voucher	365 Days
1000 unit voucher	365 Days
2500 unit voucher	365 Days
5000 unit voucher	365 Days

Note that if you have more than 365 days remaining on your current SIM, you will not lose your existing validity come June 1st. However, you will only extend your validity longer than your current expiration date if the remaining validity is less than the new topup validity as listed above.

For example:

• Old balance : 10 units with 395 days validity remaining
• Apply voucher: 25 units with 30 days validity
• New balance: 35 units with 395 days validity remaining

For example:

• Old balance : 10 units with 60 days validity remaining
• Apply voucher: 500 units with 365 days validity
• New balance: 510 units with 365 days validity remaining

These changes only affect IsatPhone Pro and IsatPhone Link. FleetPhone and BGAN will continue to have the same 730 day validity extensions for all voucher options.

Inmarsat’s new vouchers will be non-cumulative in terms of expiration only. So, if you add 2 of the 25-unit vouchers today, you will only add 30 days validity from today’s date, but you will still add a total of 50 units.

This means now is an ideal time to topup your SIM to extend the validity while quantities last. If you are not ready to purchase another 100 or 250 units, simply purchase our 730-day validity extension for $30.00. This will add 10 units to your account, as well as maximizing your validity. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your purchase, as we cannot guarantee that quantities will remain in stock.


For more information contact GMPCS at 954-973-3100 or www.gmpcs-us.com