Critical Connectivity with Dual FleetBroadband Antenna

Cobham SATCOM has launched a SAILOR FleetBroadband Dual Antenna solution to prevent critical data and voice communications being interrupted by obstructions.

The SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband is designed for vessels and platforms with demanding requirements for connectivity. It meets the critical needs for voice and data communication of maritime and offshore professionals globally. It provides extensive functionality including full access to bandwidth IP applications, broadband internet/intranet, e-mail, secure VPN and nine simultaneous voice lines.

The critical connectivity solution consists of two SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband systems and a Dual Antenna Control Unit (DACU), which can automatically switch between antennas without loss of connectivity.

With the ability to position two antennas at different locations, vessels avoid any problems should a single antenna become obstructed by superstructure, masts, rigging or other equipment.

Specialist vessels
The solution is targeted at specialist vessels using critical IP applications over FleetBroadband, where loss of connectivity could significantly affect the outcome of a costly or hazardous operation. If the active antenna loses sight to the satellite, the back-up will come on line to ensure continuous connectivity. The two antennas work as a single system, with the same IP address, a single SIM card and one monthly bill.

Proven reliability
“SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband is the market-leading Inmarsat FleetBroadband solution, so we are keen to offer its proven reliability and user-friendliness in a dual solution configuration for vessels where continuous connectivity is vital to operational safety and efficiency,” said Casper Jensen, Vice-President of Cobham SATCOM’s maritime business.

“Whilst developing a technically advanced approach, we have also ensured our solution has only minimal extra hardware costs, in order to enable as many vessels to take advantage of it as possible.”

GMPCS Personal Communications is proud to be a stocking master distributor for SAILOR products. If you would like more information on the SAILOR product line please contact a representative at 1-888-664-6727 or email marinesales@gmpcs-us.com

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