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.

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.

Helpful Tips When Using the Iridium AxcessPoint With Your Satellite Phone

Iridium Axcesspoint

The Iridium AxcessPoint works for the Iridium 9555 satellite phone and the Iridium 9575 Extreme.  AxcessPoint is a lightweight, portable device that connects via USB cable to the Iridium handset and creates a Wi-Fi hotspot.  It establishes a narrowband internet connection primarily suited for email messaging and browsing mobile websites.  Our customers have found that the AxcessPoint is a simplel ‘plug & play’ unit however when setting it up keep these points in mind.

A Connection call
Once you’ve plugged in the unit, there is not much that you need to do in order to start sending emails. Just detect the Wi-Fi hotspot and you are connected.  The connection speed is 2.4kbps so is it not recommended for internet browsing.  Iridium has an email compression software that comes with the AxcessPoint called Mail and Web that you will need to download from www.iridium.com/axcesspoint. Or you can use our free service of GMPCS Speedmail.  Also, there is an iPhone App that allows you to send and receive compressed emails once you are set up. 

It is important to note:  When the AxcessPoint is connected to the Iridium satellite phone and it is turned on, a connection (phone call) is established and it is kept until AxcessPoint is turned off or unplugged from the Iridium Phone.

Also do not use high bandwidth applications made for terrestrial networks such as video or music.


Secure your Wi-Fi
When you create the Wi-Fi hotspot with AxcessPoint you should make sure it is secure.  Iridium AxcessPoint can be password protected.  The default setting is not to require a password for access to the Wi-Fi hotspot. Follow the steps below to set the password:

• Turn ON Iridium AxcessPoint.
• Connect to Iridium AxcessPoint to your Wi-Fi laptop via the Wi-Fi connection.
• Open a web browser and connect to Iridium AxcessPoint’s IP address: http://192.168.0.1 This will bring you to the Administrative Page.
• Enter your Iridium AxcessPoint’s password that is the last six digits of the MAC address (can be found on the back of the device).
• On the Basic screen, under Wireless Security Mode, select WEP or WPA-PSK for security mode.
• In the Preshared key field, you can change the password. The default password is “12345678”
• Save settings.
• Iridium AxcessPoint will reboot automatically.

You have now set the password for your Iridium AxcessPoint. The new password will be required to access your iridium Wi-Fi hotspot.

For more information, please contact GMPCS at +1-954-973-3100