Inmarsat Satellite Services: Global Connectivity Solutions
Inmarsat provides a comprehensive ecosystem of satellite communication services designed to keep the world connected, regardless of location. These offerings are categorized into existing, evolved, and advanced services. While existing and evolved services are managed through commercial agreements with third-party land Earth stations, advanced services utilize satellite gateways owned and operated directly by Inmarsat via distribution partners.
Key Facts
- Global Xpress delivers high-throughput IP services with up to 50 Mbit/s downlink.
- European Aviation Network provides 50 Gbit/s capacity using a hybrid LTE and S-band satellite system.
- BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) offers IP-based shared-carrier services for land, sea, and air.
- M2M/IoT solutions include specialized services like IsatData Pro for mission-critical asset tracking.
- Global Voice options range from portable IsatPhone 2 handsets to fixed vessel-based FleetPhone systems.
High Throughput Services
To meet the growing demand for high-speed data, Inmarsat launched Global Xpress in 2015. This IP-based network provides a global downlink of up to 50 Mbit/s and an uplink of 5 Mbit/s, with a latency of 700 ms. It serves the enterprise, government, aviation, and maritime sectors. To ensure maximum reliability, Global Xpress is integrated with the existing BGAN L-band network. In March 2018, Inmarsat began collaborating with Isotropic Systems to create all-electronic scanning antennas for this network.
For the aviation sector, the European Aviation Network was developed in partnership with Deutsche Telekom. This system combines a ground-based LTE network with an Inmarsat S-band satellite to deliver a massive 50 Gbit/s capacity to aircraft within European airspace. Despite early regulatory hurdles, the ground network was completed in February 2018. By mid-2019, the service covered over 100 routes from major hubs including London, Rome, Madrid, and Vienna. As of early 2021, it has been utilized on 200,000 flights across 250 aircraft operated by Vueling, Iberia, and British Airways.
Advanced IP-Based Services
The BGAN family consists of shared-carrier IP services tailored for different environments:
- BGAN: Designed for land use via I-4 satellites, offering packet-switched services up to 800 kbit/s and streaming-IP from 32 kbit/s. Many terminals also support 64 kbit/s circuit-switched Mobile Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and 4.8 kbit/s voice services.
- FleetBroadband (FB): A maritime-specific version of BGAN technology utilizing the same infrastructure but with terminals ruggedized for ships.
- SwiftBroadband (SB): An aeronautical adaptation of BGAN technology designed for military, private, and commercial aircraft.
M2M and IoT Communications
Inmarsat offers a suite of machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet-of-Things (IoT) services, also branded as Viasat IoT, for managing fixed assets over the long term:
- BGAN M2M: Launched in January 2012, this low-data rate service is built for unmanned environments, such as oil well heads and pipelines, providing high-frequency, low-latency reporting.
- IsatM2M: A store-and-forward short burst data service delivering messages of 10.5 to 25.5 bytes (send) and 100 bytes (receive), marketed via Honeywell Global Tracking and SkyWave Mobile Communications.
- IsatData Pro: A two-way data service for mission-critical assets (trucks, fishing vessels, heavy equipment) with a typical delivery time of 15 seconds. It supports 10 KB messages to mobile and 6.4 KB from mobile, provided by SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc (part of Orbcomm).
Global Voice Services
Inmarsat provides both portable and fixed telephony solutions to ensure voice connectivity outside cellular range:
- IsatPhone 2: A mobile satellite phone supporting voice, SMS, short email, GPS look-up-and-send, and data speeds up to 20 kbit/s.
- IsatPhone Link: A low-cost fixed satellite phone for those living or working in remote areas.
- FleetPhone: A fixed voice service designed for smaller vessels or as additional voice lines for larger ships.
Existing and Evolved Legacy Services
While newer IP services dominate, several legacy technologies continue to provide essential connectivity:
- Aeronautical (Classic Aero): Provides analogue voice, fax, and data. It uses three antenna levels: Aero-L (packet data/ACARS), Aero-H (9600 bit/s), and Aero-I (2400 bit/s).
- Inmarsat-C: A digital "satellite telex" using store-and-forward technology at 1200 bit/s (transmission) and 600 bit/s (information). Some models are GPS-equipped and approved for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
- Fleet: A family of networks (Fleet77, Fleet55, Fleet33) named after their antenna diameters. They offer services from 4.8 kbit/s voice to 128 kbit/s Mobile ISDN on Fleet77 terminals.
- Swift 64: An aviation-specific service providing voice, 64 kbit/s ISDN, and MPDS, often available in multi-channel versions.
- Inmarsat D/D+/IsatM2M: Satellite pagers used primarily for SCADA applications and tracking buoys or trucks.
- MPDS (Mobile Packet Data Service): An IP-based service where users share a 64 kbit/s carrier, integrated into GAN, Fleet, and Swift64 terminals.
- IsatPhone: A collaboration with ACeS providing voice (4.8 kbit/s) and fax/data (2.4 kbit/s) in the EMEA and APAC regions.
| Service Category | Primary Technology | Key Application | Max Speed/Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Throughput | Ka-band / LTE / S-band | Aviation & Enterprise | 50 Mbit/s (GX) / 50 Gbit/s (EAN) |
| Advanced IP | L-band (BGAN) | Land, Sea, Air | 800 kbit/s |
| M2M / IoT | Short Burst Data / IP | Asset Tracking | Low-rate / 10 KB messages |
| Voice | Satellite Telephony | Remote Communication | 20 kbit/s (IsatPhone 2) |
Retired Services
Several foundational services have been decommissioned to make way for modern IP standards. Inmarsat-B was retired on December 30, 2016, having previously offered digital voice and data up to 128 kbit/s. Inmarsat-M and Mini-M (closed January 2017) provided early voice and fax services. Finally, GAN (Global Area Network), also known as M4, which provided early ISDN and MPDS services, was also closed in early January 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BGAN, FleetBroadband, and SwiftBroadband?
All three are based on the same BGAN IP technology and infrastructure, but they are optimized for different environments: BGAN is for land, FleetBroadband is for maritime use, and SwiftBroadband is for aviation.
What are the capabilities of the European Aviation Network?
The European Aviation Network uses a combination of a ground-based LTE network and an S-band satellite to provide a total capacity of 50 Gbit/s to aircraft flying in European airspace.
How does IsatData Pro differ from other M2M services?
IsatData Pro is specifically designed for mission-critical two-way text and data communications for remote assets, such as heavy equipment and fishing vessels, with typical delivery times of 15 seconds.
What is the purpose of Inmarsat-C?
Inmarsat-C acts as a digital satellite telex for low-speed store-and-forward messaging. It is notably used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) for emergency communications.
What is the maximum speed of Global Xpress?
Global Xpress provides an IP-based global service with a downlink speed of up to 50 Mbit/s and an uplink speed of up to 5 Mbit/s.