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Inmarsat Launches Voice Distress Service on FleetBroadband
LONDON, August 5, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite
communications services, has announced the commercial availability of a new
voice distress service on FleetBroadband.
The free-to-use service ensures that, in the event of an emergency, all
non-priority telephone calls underway on the vessel's FleetBroadband are
interrupted, connecting the caller directly to a Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre (MRCC). The new voice distress service requires a simple
software and hardware add-on, which provides a 'red button' for one-touch
easy use.
The new service also utilises the enhanced capability of the
FleetBroadband network, as it simultaneously sends an email to the MRCC and
network controllers to alert them to a call, providing additional data such
as vessel name, identification and position.
The development of a voice distress service on FleetBroadband was
supported by the European Space Agency and the UK's Technology Strategy
Board.
Inmarsat is the only mobile satellite operator to be approved for use
within the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS), and the
introduction of a voice distress service with red button access is the first
step in obtaining compliance for FleetBroadband with GMDSS.
"This is a first for FleetBroadband, and demonstrates our on-going
commitment to providing essential safety and distress services for
seafarers," said Peter Blackhurst, Head of Maritime Safety at Inmarsat.
"This new red-button voice distress service is ideal for vessels of all
types and sizes because it's backed by a highly-reliable network that offers
99.9 percent connectivity at all times."
Thrane & Thrane is the first manufacturer to support the service with
its Sailor 3771 Alarm Panel. Other terminal manufacturers are expected to
follow shortly.
FleetBroadband users who need emergency assistance, but who don't have
access to the red button voice service, can still use Inmarsat's 505
Emergency Calling facility, which routes calls free of charge to an MRCC.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile
satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing
reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments,
enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be
used on land, at sea or in the air. The company's services are delivered
through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service
providers operating in 100 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2010,
Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1
million) with an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million). For
more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.
Source: Inmarsat plc
John Warehand, PR Manager, Inmarsat, Tel: +44-20-7728-1579, Mob: +44-7739-778-128, Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com
Inmarsat Launches Voice Distress Service on FleetBroadband
LONDON, August 5, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite
communications services, has announced the commercial availability of a new
voice distress service on FleetBroadband.
The free-to-use service ensures that, in the event of an emergency, all
non-priority telephone calls underway on the vessel's FleetBroadband are
interrupted, connecting the caller directly to a Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre (MRCC). The new voice distress service requires a simple
software and hardware add-on, which provides a 'red button' for one-touch
easy use.
The new service also utilises the enhanced capability of the
FleetBroadband network, as it simultaneously sends an email to the MRCC and
network controllers to alert them to a call, providing additional data such
as vessel name, identification and position.
The development of a voice distress service on FleetBroadband was
supported by the European Space Agency and the UK's Technology Strategy
Board.
Inmarsat is the only mobile satellite operator to be approved for use
within the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS), and the
introduction of a voice distress service with red button access is the first
step in obtaining compliance for FleetBroadband with GMDSS.
"This is a first for FleetBroadband, and demonstrates our on-going
commitment to providing essential safety and distress services for
seafarers," said Peter Blackhurst, Head of Maritime Safety at Inmarsat.
"This new red-button voice distress service is ideal for vessels of all
types and sizes because it's backed by a highly-reliable network that offers
99.9 percent connectivity at all times."
Thrane & Thrane is the first manufacturer to support the service with
its Sailor 3771 Alarm Panel. Other terminal manufacturers are expected to
follow shortly.
FleetBroadband users who need emergency assistance, but who don't have
access to the red button voice service, can still use Inmarsat's 505
Emergency Calling facility, which routes calls free of charge to an MRCC.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile
satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing
reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments,
enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be
used on land, at sea or in the air. The company's services are delivered
through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service
providers operating in 100 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2010,
Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1
million) with an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million). For
more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.
Source: Inmarsat plc
John Warehand, PR Manager, Inmarsat, Tel: +44-20-7728-1579, Mob: +44-7739-778-128, Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com