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.

SAILOR FleetBroadband Update Features Multi-voice Service

Thrane & Thrane is now offering Inmarsat’s new FleetBroadband Multi-voice service across the Sailor FleetBroadband terminal range. The new service, which Inmarsat launched in May 2012, is available on SAILOR FleetBroadband systems and is accessible on existing terminals with a software update, coming soon. Multi-voice enables FleetBroadband users to expand from the original single voice line to a maximum of nine simultaneous voice lines, on a single SAILOR FleetBroadband terminal. No additional hardware is required other than Thrane & Thrane or third party handsets.

Setting up your FleetBroadband for Multi-voice service does not require engineers or hardware changes to the below deck unit. Loading the new firmware update will give you the capability for the Multi-voice service. However your SIM card in the FleetBroadband will have to be provisioned by your service provider and there may be an activation fee.

With Multi-voice the SAILOR FleetBroadband 500 offers nine simultaneous voice lines through a single terminal. A SAILOR FleetBroadband 250 terminal can offer up to six concurrent calls, and a SAILOR FleetBroadband 150 up to four concurrent calls. You are able to use third party phone equipment for the extra lines, however we recommend the Thrane IP Handset for the additional phone outlets. The Thrane IP Handset for Multi-voice on Sailor FleetBroadband offers easy access to a dedicated menu via the integrated screen, where value-added supplementary voice services, such as phone book and call forwarding can be operated from the handset itself.

With multiple handsets integrated to a single terminal, facility for dedicated voice lines can be made anywhere on board. Thrane and Inmarsat have also ensured that the SAILOR 3771 alarm panel and 505 Service works with Multi-voice. Therefore distress alarms can be sent regardless of how many voice lines are being used.

The new Multi-voice service makes it easy to add extra voice lines for all SAILOR FleetBroadband users. If you are interested in activating this service on your terminal make sure to contact your service provider.



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Satellite Phones Are A Must Have For Smart Travelers

If you travel outside of main urban centers in the United States or abroad, you may find yourself without cell phone service. In case of emergency, a satellite phone can save the day or even save your life. With satellite phones available to rent or to buy fromGMPCS, you will never have to worry about traveling outside of cell phone range.

World travelers can also benefit from the affordable flat rate calling that both Inmarsat and Iridium satellite phones offer. Satellite phone rates are often a fraction of cellular roaming rates, especially in exotic destinations. To learn more about a satellite phone rental click here.

Satellite phones are reliable, easy to use and affordable. They work virtually anywhere on Earth, independently from the local infrastructure and are not affected by weather conditions or natural disasters.

With affordable rental & purchase prices and attractive airtime plans, having access to this potentially lifesaving technology has never been easier.

So while planning for your trip or for the hurricane season, consider renting or buying a satellite phone.

To purchase a satellite phone look at our most popular models the IsatPhone Pro and the Iridium 9555 or Extreme.

Hurricane and Natural Disaster Preparedness 2012 With Satellite Phones and More

With the start of hurricane season, now would be a good time to make sure you have everything you need in case of a sudden emergency. GMPCS would like you to be prepared before, during and after the storm. The following are a few items that will help for this hurricane season.

Satellite Phones
In any natural disaster the potential for landlines and cellular phone towers to go down or these networks to be overloaded is very likely. After a tornado, hurricane or flood a satellite phone may be your only way to communicate. A mobile satellite phone relies on an orbiting satellite system, which are independent from local infrastructure and therefore not affected by these natural disasters.  The most reliable satellite providers with global coverage are Inmarsat and Iridium. Both providers have their advantages and are compared in this online article.  The most affordable of the two is the IsatPhone Pro from Inmarsat. For as little as $610 you can have an emergency satellite phone, sold here. Another smart option is the IsatPhone Pro Emergency kit which includes an emergency airtime plan with the equipment.

Additional Batteries
If you already have a satellite phone, now would be a good time to test it. Check the Batteries and make sure you are familiar with making a call. Also having an additional battery is an affordable solution to being prepared. The IsatPhone Pro battery retails for just $40.95. Iridium offers a high capacity battery for the 9555 model phone and an additional Iridium 9575 extreme battery can be found here.

Battery Docking Stations
Battery docking stations are capable of rapid charging most types of satellite phone batteries in a single process. A battery docking station allows you to charge the satellite phone battery without using the handheld phone. This accessory is available in single bay units as well as four bay units, for the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro,the Iridium 9555 and other Iridium handsets.  Each bay can accommodate a charging plate designed to fit each type of battery.  Charging plates can be swapped to charge different types of batteries with the same bay.  More information on the battery docking station can be found here.



Nomad 13.5 Solar Panel

Solar Charger
When the power goes out the Nomad 13.5M solar panel may be your only source for charging your electronics. Using 13.5 watts of highly efficient mono-crystalline solar technology, its four small panels provide plenty of power and conveniently fold into a small, lightweight portable case. This solar charger will recharge the batteries of the above satellite phones for Iridium and Inmarsat. In addition it will charge a mobile cell phone, MP3 player or tablet connected via the DC cigarette adapter.