Dr. John Francis stays connected with reliable communications on Planetwalk

Dr. John Francis took his Planetwalk through Missouri recently and used the EXPLORER® 727 for his communications efforts. 

Dr. Francis founded Planetwalk after experiencing an oil spill in San Francisco, in the early 1970s. His work helping clean the beaches transformed his life, and he then stopped using all motorized transportation and walked wherever he went. Shortly thereafter, he took a vow of silence that lasted for 17 years and during which he reconnected with nature.

Inmarsat supports Planetwalk to ensure that Dr. Francis has a reliable communications device that offers both voice and data applications and will work wherever he travels. In the past 30+ years, he has walked across the United States, sailed and walked through the Caribbean and South America and in Cuba. Currently, he is reconstructing his first walk from Cape May, New Jersey, to Point Reyes, California.

Throughout his walk, Dr. Francis shares his thoughts by videoconference with people across the country. During his lectures, he talks about the underlying sources of the current environmental crisis shares his beliefs that any attempt to resolve the crisis must not only address scientific issues, but also humanitarian issues.

Inmarsat is proud to offer Dr. Francis the technology he needs to connect with others, share his beliefs, and share a variety of communications during Planetwalk.

Jack Deasy, Director of Civil Government Programs

Mesh networks and mobile satellite: bringing connectivity to chaos

Not having a signal. It’s one of the single most disruptive things that a person in today’s technology-dependant world can experience.

 

Why? Well, we expect communication. We assume that it will be available to us in all situations and under any circumstances.

 

Unfortunately, there are places in this world, situations that exist and circumstances that can arise that make communications a luxury. Take, for example, in times of emergency and disaster response.

 

I recently had the opportunity to attend two large industry shows that featured technologies and solutions important to first responders. First was IWCE 2009, the annual convention for two-way radio manufacturers, and the second was Satellite 2009, an event for solutions for the end-user in the satellite-enabled communications marketplace.

 

At both the IWCE 2009 and Satellite 2009 shows, the sessions underscored the role of governance and planning in ensuring that first responders have the connectivity they need when they need it.

 

An example of this was offered at IWCE, where Alaskan state officials and DOD partners reported on efforts to bring the DOD concept of “Deliberative Communications Planning” to state emergency operations. Essentially, this involves “Doing Communications First” in planning for disaster response. By establishing communications first, emergency personnel are ensured that the information and ability to connect are in place and that cooperation can take place. Even so, with communications integrated from the start in exercise planning, it is clear that being able to communicate technically is not the same as training so teams actually do communicate in an exercise or disaster.

 

The technologies being displayed at both the IWCE 2009 and Satellite 2009 shows were quite amazing in their increasing ease of use and the capabilities they bring to the first responder. At IWCE specifically, Motorola reps reported on the growing adoption of the mesh network solutions, which support wi-fi and offer interference mitigation. These solutions can support a wide range of needs including medical triage and wearable video cameras. These mesh networks can be linked offsite via satellite as desired.

 

The world of disaster and emergency response is changing rapidly as new technologies make communication possible in even the harshest of environments. As these technologies continue to evolve and improve and as adoption increases, our ability to react quickly in an organized and cooperative fashion to even the worst disaster will surely save the lives of many, both victims and emergency personnel alike.

 

Jack Deasy, Director of Civil Government Programs

 

Software upgrade for Explorer series of BGAN terminals

For users of the Explorer series of BGAN terminals from Thrane & Thrane, there is a new software version available at http://www.inmarsat.com/support/BGAN (for land terminals) and http://www.inmarsat.com/support/fleetbroadband (for maritime terminals).  The upgrade ensures that terminals operating in the Asia-Pacific region can register with the I-4 satellite and access the BGAN network. 

 

Satellite Technology that Fits in Your Backpack

During the recent Satellite 2009 conference, my colleagues and I heard a lot of questions about emerging technologies, most of which began with “why” and “how.” The nature of the technology begs these questions. We need to see it and feel it to get a sense of whether a specific technology will meet our needs.

 

First, let’s address “why.” Does your government organization have leadership or staff who travels around the globe, but still need to communicate quickly, safely and securely back to the main office or other constituents? As an example, dependable and secure connectivity for the military in hostile environments or rough terrains is mission critical. In cases such as this, there is no room or time for guesswork, and that’s where secure data connections with access to phone, email and even videoconferencing are tantamount to quick, efficient and effective decision-making.

 

So, we’ve established why a satellite technology might meet a need for your mission, so the next question is “how.” The last thing any organization needs is a lot of extra, bulky equipment that is difficult to set up and use. That’s where BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) comes into the picture. As small and lightweight as a laptop, BGAN offers the ability to connect to the Internet, use a handheld phone, stream video and videoconference from anywhere in the world with a set-up time of approximately three minutes. Imagine the ability to send pictures in real-time and access decision-makers anywhere and anytime from anywhere in the world. You don’t need a huge satellite antenna stuck on your backpack to do that.

 

Click here to view a BGAN instruction video.

 

BGAN enables voice, web browsing, videoconferencing applications and more from anywhere on the planet. Can your organization do that now?

 

Jack Deasy, Director of Civil Government Programs

 

It’s about communications, not satellites

Hear from Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch as she talks about what is on the horizon for the satellite communications industry at the recent Satellite 2009 conference. She also explains the importance of having a deep understanding of users’ communications requirements in order to meet a variety of on-the-go needs.

Jack Deasy, Director of Civil Government Programs

Industry Leaders Speak at Satellite 2009

Satellite 2009 starts today, and this event is a great opportunity for Inmarsat to showcase our innovation in the marketplace and to interact with and learn from our colleagues, including valued partners, such as Segovia (booth 1105) and Vocality International (booth 734).  In addition to panels and our sponsorship of the MSUA Innovation and Pioneer Awards Presentation and Luncheon today, Inmarsat is involved in four panels tomorrow.

Inmarsat CEO Andrew Sukawaty will be a part of the conference’s CEO panel, “What’s Next for the Mobile Satellite Industry?,” tomorrow morning. During the panel, the CEOs will talk about what’s gone right and what hasn’t for MSS over the past year and what changes they expect to see in 2009. We fully expect Andy to highlight Inmarsat’s exceptional end of year results and what he expects as a result of the downturn in the economy.  In addition to his role as CEO of Inmarsat, Sukawaty is non-executive Chairman of Xyratex Ltd., and a non-executive director of O2 plc and Powerwave Technologies Inc. He was formerly chief executive officer and president of Sprint PCS.

Also on Thursday, Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, Inmarsat’s vice president for global government services will participate in the “Comms-on-the-Move – Mobility and Portability” panel. Panelists will discuss the latest in technology, portability, mobility and IP platforms that are keeping the warfighter – and the first responder – in touch while on the move. Cowen-Hirsch is a former member of the Senior Executive Service and was the former Program Executive Officer for SATCOM, Teleport and Services (PEO-STS) at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). She is a recipient of the United States Air Force Civilian Exemplary Service Award for her support of the military space and major weapon systems.

Afternoon panel sessions tomorrow include Hybrid Networks and Consumer Applications, in which Leo Mondale, Inmarsat’s vice president of business development & strategy, will participate. The panel will focus on new consumer-oriented applications that are being designed to benefit enterprise and retail customers and government users, by enabling low-cost handsets and devices capable of serving the needs of traditional MSS markets and new industry segments such as telematics, the outdoor and adventure marketplace and the wireless industry. Mondale joined Inmarsat in 2004 and has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the satellite industry.

 

Jack Deasy, Inmarsat’s director of civil programs, will participate in the “Public Safety and Homeland Security Applications panel” tomorrow. The panel will explore how Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) have played a leading role in the response to disasters both in the United States and overseas, examine the requirements of first responders and discuss what MSS providers must do to expand this market in the future.

 

A wide range of Inmarsat-based solutions will be on display in the exhibit hall booths of our partners.  Stop by Broadband Mobile LLC (1108), Klas Telecom (1220) and ViaSat (429) to see that latest in mobile satellite technology.

 

Welcome to Inmarsat Government Services “Mind the Gap”

The first three months of the year have drawn a lot of eyes to the sky, as events including defunct satellites and collisions have created debate about what to do with aging and/or non-functioning spacecraft. Other areas of interest include challenging regulatory hurdles that could impact the growth of the industry while, at the same time, the possibility of satellite-supported solar energy as an alternate energy source could be a new area of growth for the industry.

 

This forum, Mind the Gap: extending communications to a world on the go, will be a place for discussion and dialogue about topics such as these and will be a platform for Inmarsat to share our news and information with our valued partners and customers and anyone who has an interest in the satellite industry.

 

We hope you visit often and provide us with your feedback and tell us what you think is important to the satellite industry today.

 

Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, Vice President, Global Government Services

Satellite 2009: where is industry innovation headed?

Satellite 2009 is here, and we’re proud to play an active role this week. The conference is the premiere event for the satellite industry and a great opportunity for everyone in the industry to share ideas, discuss innovation and learn from each other. We’re excited to see so many of our partners in the industry participating, including Thrane & Thrane (booth 1115), SGSI (booth 1112) and COMM TECH Mobile Datacom (booth 1104).

 

Inmarsat’s CEO, Andy Sukawaty, our CFO, other key executives as well as several of our other company leaders will actively participate in the conference, on panels and at the MSUA Innovation and Pioneer Awards Presentation and Luncheon, of which Inmarsat is a Gold sponsor.

 

On Tuesday, Inmarsat CFO Rick Medlock will participate in the “Future Financial Investments – Where Will the Money Be Going Next?” panel. The panel will focus on how the current economic situation is affecting both the availability of capital and the cost of capital and how that will impact satellite operators’ plans for new investments to replace existing fleets or start innovative businesses? Medlock has been with Inmarsat since 2004. His background includes serving as the chief financial officer and company secretary of NDS Group plc, and he is a non-executive director of Cheapflights Limited. Medlock is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

 

On Wednesday, Inmarsat will participate in the MSUA Innovation and Pioneer Awards Presentation and Luncheon as a gold sponsor.  In its sixth year, the luncheon is designed to honor mobile satellite innovators and pioneers for their valued contributions to the industry. At MSUA-6, MSUA will once again present a Pioneer as well as an Innovation Award and both will be presented at the MSUA-6 Awards Luncheon.

 

A wide range of Inmarsat-based solutions will be on display in the exhibit hall booths of our partners. Stop by Vizada (booth 235), Thrane & Thrane and Satcom Direct (booth 175) to see that latest in mobile satellite technology.

 

Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, Vice President, Global Government Services