Inmarsat who are a UK satellite broadband provider have signed a contract with Boeing that will see them get three 702HP Ka-band satellites which will be able to deliver broadband speeds of up to 50Mb.
The main target use for these services are for people on cruise ships and airplanes and it will change the way that people are able to access the internet when on the move, especially when on flights.
The three new satellites will be used to make up the new Inmarsat-5 (I-5) constellation and will be used to support the next generation global service called Global Xpress.
The cost of the three new satellites and the development of the Golbal Xpress service will be about £750m ($1.2 bn) over 4 and a half years.
However, within 5 years of the Global Xpress being launched Inmarsat are aiming to be taking in around $500m per year in Ka-band revenues.
The aim is for the Global Xpress services being available using these satellites during 2014.
Andrew Sukawaty, the chairman and chief executive of Inmarsat said:
“This is a new investment for growth. With the Global Xpress network, we will be the first operator to offer global broadband coverage, offering unparalleled speeds and bandwidth to customers in remote locations around the world.
“Global Xpress will be faster and less expensive than current Ku-band market offerings, it will be delivered to smaller and cheaper terminals and be the first offered on a seamless, global, end-to-end basis with high-quality of service. Picture 50Mpbs services to a ship or aircraft, and 10Mpbs to an antenna the size of an iPad (20cm).
“The Inmarsat-5s will also complement our existing global L-band services, allowing us to offer unique hybrid packages using both networks, giving users unprecedented levels of resilience and reliability in remote and harsh environments.“
Avanti Communications, the Satellite broadband provider has raised £70 million through the sale of shares to help fund getting it’s first satellite launched into space.
The press release form the share sale read:
“The net proceeds from the Placing will help provide Avanti with funds in order to repay the fixed term facilities of a principal amount of £32 million (£53 million including accrued interest and an early repayment discount) borrowed in order to finance HYLAS 1, Avanti’s first satellite, and to enable Avanti to initiate the procurement of a third satellite. It will also provide additional resources for the Company to re-domicile the HYLAS 2 assets offshore.“
Avanti had hoped to have it’s first satellite HYLAS 1 launched by the end of September, but delays of around 6 weeks are expected due to the launch pad in French Guyana not being ready. However, to make sure there is as little delay as possible Avanti are looking at using an Ariane 5 launch vehicle although the Ariane 5 usually takes up 2 satellites for launch and so this factors into considerations.
Avanti also have HYLAS 2 satellite that they hope will be launched in the first half of 2012.
Satellite broadband will help bring broadband to rural and remote areas where it is not feasible to get a fixed line broadband connection to them.
Satellite broadband is becoming slightly more affordable as Avonline has reduced the installation fee of it’s Tooway satellite broadband system by £100.
Installation will now start at £599 which includes the satellite dish, modem, installation and activation of the satellite broadband service.
Avonline’s Tooway service is able to offer broadband speeds of 3.9Mb download and 384Kb upload with 2.4GB monthly usage for £29.99 per month. For those who need greater data transfer there is another deal that offers 12Gb of data transfer for £99 per month.
The Tooway service is able to cover the whole of the UK making broadband accessible for those who live out in remote and rural areas and those in not spots where standard wired and mobile broadband does not cover.
The BBC have filmed a short video about the construction of the HYLAS Satellite that is being built for Avanti Communications.
Their Satellite is going to be used to help deliver the minimum 2Mb broadband that is called for by the government for broadband in the UK by 2012.
The Satellite is set to launch later this year and will be a dedicated broadband satellite for Europe. The Avanti satellite will be able to provide satellite broadband to around 350,000 homes in the UK at the minimum 2Mb broadband speed.
The satellite will use the Ka-band of radio frequency which is able to send a more focused beam to Earth.
The Digital Britain Report is due out today where more details about the delivery of broadband in the UK will be talked about.
The three new satellites will be used to make up the new Inmarsat-5 (I-5) constellation and will be used to support the next generation global service called Global Xpress.