tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305055242024-03-20T03:39:55.670-07:00Satellite Phone BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-72606682751884574952015-06-12T23:41:00.000-07:002015-06-12T23:41:31.598-07:00Transform your iPhone or Android smartphone into a satellite phoneThe modern smartphone is a wonder of modern technology, and in combination with the carrier network can allow you to make calls from the densest urban jungle to Mount Everest. But despite the amazing global coverage of the carrier networks, sometimes it just isn't enough.
This is when you need to rely on satellite coverage. And believe it or not, you can add satellite capability to your existing iPhone or Android smartphone. Yes, that's right, you no longer need a dedicated satellite phone. What you need is a Thuraya satellite phone sleeve (SatSleeve).
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixROCFdJ72oHHtxVEKcCLywnDFkkgXWtP3tO-k-eQ3LqNWN8OmrvBfZPWVStbR_IiSr_cjgw9iy1JQs0wX-ra9MfSZmYGN9fAQuyM_6bPISoChDWoVOnUNfCFCz_0e-xteKfLg9Q/s1600/SatSleeve_galaxy-s4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixROCFdJ72oHHtxVEKcCLywnDFkkgXWtP3tO-k-eQ3LqNWN8OmrvBfZPWVStbR_IiSr_cjgw9iy1JQs0wX-ra9MfSZmYGN9fAQuyM_6bPISoChDWoVOnUNfCFCz_0e-xteKfLg9Q/s320/SatSleeve_galaxy-s4.png" /></a></div>In addition to offering support for calls and SMS messaging, the latest SatSleeves also have satellite data functionalities for emails, instant messaging, browsing and so on.
Just slide on the sleeve, and BINGO! You have a satellite phone. Yes, calls and data are going to cost you an arm and a leg (don't be surprised if it adds up to several dollars a minute depending on where you want to use your handset).
The SatSleeve comes in two flavors:
SatSleeve for iPhone: Adaptor for iPhone 5/5s is inside the package (adaptors for iPhone 4/4s and iPhone 6 are available separately from Thuraya Service Partners)
SatSleeve for Android: Adaptor for Samsung Galaxy S4 is inside the package (adaptors for Samsung Galaxy S3 and S5 are available separately from Thuraya Service Partners)
The SatSleeve isn't cheap -- around $499 -- but if you need coverage where there isn't a ground-based carrier service, this could very well be what you need. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-62712824819564513022011-04-23T16:29:00.000-07:002011-04-23T16:31:10.778-07:00Inmarsat Gets Ringing Endorsement for Data Capability of IsatPhone ProInmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announced the availability of a range of third-party data applications for its global handheld satellite phone, IsatPhone Pro.<br /><br />The recently introduced data capability of the IsatPhone Pro, which provides a circuit-switched data rate of up to an effective 20kbps on applications such as plain text email, was in response to the growing demand for basic data connectivity from mobile users equipped with a handheld satellite phone. Inmarsat’s partner network has supported the launch by introducing a range of optimised data applications for the IsatPhone Pro.<br /><br />Applications from Inmarsat’s partners include: AST Onsatmail; GMPCS/Network Innovations Speedmail; MVS FlyCarrier; SatCom Global Horizon; Stratos AmosConnect; and Vizada SkyFile. A generic solution is also available from GMN Xgate. Most of these applications incorporate compression and acceleration capabilities to optimise the efficiency of the data capability of IsatPhone Pro.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-46633457956338738112010-11-04T10:04:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:08:06.024-07:00How do satellite phones work?Although it is possible to make telephone contact through a landline or mobile phone from almost anywhere in the world, there are certain areas where a satellite phone is the only method of communication.<br /><br />Unlike mobile phones which use localised phone masts to connect calls, a call made from a sat phone is sent through a satellite constellation until it reaches the nearest satellite gateway on the ground. It is then routed through traditional voice networks to reach its destination. <br /><br />A call made from one satellite phone to another will be completely routed through satellite constellations to ensure that the call is not affected by any technical difficulties on the ground. This is why satellite phones are essential for communication during disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes where traditional lines of communication can be destroyed.<br /><br />Satellite phones rely on a clear view of the satellite to make a call so it is important to ensure that the phones signal is not obstructed by trees, hills, mountains, buildings or other similar structures or geographical features in close proximity.<br /><br />When choosing a satellite phone you may want to consider the type of satellites that your handset will use. Iridium and Globalstar use LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites whereas Inmarsat and Thuraya use geosynchronous satellites which orbit at a much higher altitude. The higher a satellite orbits the more noticeable the latency or delay in call connection and transmission.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-198957939812957952010-08-29T11:14:00.000-07:002010-11-07T08:14:12.282-08:00Testing two of the latest satphones<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/images/satellite-phone/thuraya-xt-and-iridium-9555.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 301px;" src="http://www.highspeedsat.com/images/satellite-phone/thuraya-xt-and-iridium-9555.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Testing <a href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/thuraya-xt.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ThurayaXT</span></a> and <a href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/iridium-9555.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Iridium 9555</span></a> satellite handsets for usability, connectivity and coverage:<br /><object width="445" height="363"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2I4vitl4Bxw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2I4vitl4Bxw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="363"></embed></object></span></p><br />Thuraya XT and Iridium 9555 Satellite Phones as reviewed by Channel Five's The Gadget Show<br /><br />=========================<br /><br />Channel Five’s The Gadget Show has reviewed a Thuraya XT satellite phone provided by GTC in the deserts of Abu Dhabi. They also reviewed the Iridium 9555 to assess how satellite phones can be useful in remote locations.<br /><br />The Thuraya XT is Thuraya’s newest phone and boasts the longest battery life of any satellite phone on the market. It has also undergone testing to prove it’s title as the toughest satellite phone making it perfect for users who need to communicate in the harshest environments.<br /><br />The Iridium 9555 is latest satellite phone in the Iridium range – the only satellite network to offer global coverage. This sat phone can provide a global connection to voice, fax, data and SMS services providing a variety of communication methods in remote areas and is water, shock and dust resistant.<br /><br />Here is the Gadget Show’s verdict:<br /><br />Channel Five’s The Gadget Show reviewed the Iridium 9555 and a Thuraya XT satellite phone provided by Global Telesat Communications based on the following criteria:<br /><br /> 1. How quickly the phone got a satellite signal<br /> 2. How quickly the phone made a call<br /> 3. Features<br /> 4. Battery Life<br /> 5. Global Coverage<br /><br />It was a close call but the Iridium 9555 was the overall winner with the Thuraya XT winning both the features and battery life categories.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-89345780865416405282010-07-05T12:43:00.000-07:002010-07-09T17:58:32.526-07:00Globalstar Completes Installation of Upgrades<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPVHbGjPWWamMPPafwSf4cb_5RZzrGOVg_w_Xr8FtpcjbwihSyDysYd15pTSZCMDJfosdsaAjhsoeOStHHYrQ2pvuiOvCspXagW9s0_-KRD3F5w9qWxkTvwerqIIJ0nPTKfv0VA/s1600/globalstar-satellite-testing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPVHbGjPWWamMPPafwSf4cb_5RZzrGOVg_w_Xr8FtpcjbwihSyDysYd15pTSZCMDJfosdsaAjhsoeOStHHYrQ2pvuiOvCspXagW9s0_-KRD3F5w9qWxkTvwerqIIJ0nPTKfv0VA/s320/globalstar-satellite-testing.jpg" alt="new globalstar satellite testing" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492065766916266946" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Globalstar announced it has installed new hardware and software upgrades at its satellite operations and <span style="font-weight: bold;">control center</span> located in Milpitas, CA and its backup control center located in El Dorado Hills, CA. The upgrades, provided by Thales Alenia Space, are required to support the 15-year plus lifespan of the new <span style="font-weight: bold;">Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation</span> scheduled for launch beginning in September or early October of this year. The new constellation, also designed and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, is expected to provide Globalstar customers with mobile satellite voice and data services through beyond 2025.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">With less than four months to go before they begin launching the second-generation satellites they announce the completion of another major operational milestone, the installation of satellite control center upgrades. As the prime contractor of Globalstar new satellite constellation, Thales was uniquely qualified to design, develop and install the necessary hardware and software control center system enhancements. Globalstar is now testing and training control teams who will manage Globalstar's first and second-generation satellites using the newly installed in-orbit test equipment until they complete deployment of our new constellation next year.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinossxmQw4pF5an0cj3ygblnbmXgUzh_HwNSg6ZoXjQsftORSNuPGbEYDKjD8z8k88zmdmUDRcJ5y_jJMnRyKlTch7pYEuIHQPEdod3i3tqNZWo7k6-kJ24uIecd8CIi9ttP1xew/s1600/globalstar_constelation.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinossxmQw4pF5an0cj3ygblnbmXgUzh_HwNSg6ZoXjQsftORSNuPGbEYDKjD8z8k88zmdmUDRcJ5y_jJMnRyKlTch7pYEuIHQPEdod3i3tqNZWo7k6-kJ24uIecd8CIi9ttP1xew/s320/globalstar_constelation.jpg" border="0" alt="globalstar constelaton" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492074334727359506" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Globalstar Satellite Operations and Control Center (SOCC) upgrades were developed using Thales' COTS product called SCC/Open, with customizations specific to the Globalstar mission. Thales is also upgrading the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Globalstar's Telemetry and Command Units</span> (TCU) and In Orbit Test (IOT) hardware and software located at the various Globalstar gateway ground stations around the world. Combined with the SOCC improvements, these upgrades provide Globalstar with the capability to administer increased second-generation satellite constellation mission operations command, support and control with minimal expert staffing and maximum task automation.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-39330183169064755992010-07-04T08:25:00.000-07:002010-07-09T12:32:34.282-07:00First New Satellite Phone (IsatPro) for Under $500<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Satworx Offers First New Satellite Phone for Under $500 !</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsKGSl7guQrprMxJ_WwvCSeunYzvpFRXm0e7RKqrAPAoyJQ90MjPyDatlYgVRs7OwouSMN9TZYjdmPvb-J07p6IsFFywiLVzSkX30PYnOwakK5xh9_46AZ0YgBTCYvsCTq_OFiQ/s1600/isatphonepro-out-of-the-box.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsKGSl7guQrprMxJ_WwvCSeunYzvpFRXm0e7RKqrAPAoyJQ90MjPyDatlYgVRs7OwouSMN9TZYjdmPvb-J07p6IsFFywiLVzSkX30PYnOwakK5xh9_46AZ0YgBTCYvsCTq_OFiQ/s320/isatphonepro-out-of-the-box.jpg" border="0" alt="isatphone pro in the box" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491986578674787922" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For the thousands of companies and individuals who rely on uninterrupted communications no matter the conditions, satellite phones just got much more practical in price and weight. Inmarsat’s global satellite phone that we got wind of earlier this year has now become available by various satellite phone providers, Satworx being one of them and is also appearing on eBay. Their <span style="font-weight:bold;">$495</span> price tag for the <span style="font-weight:bold;">iSatPhone Pro</span> seems steep at first, but if you’re operating an adventure travel business, disaster-readiness operations or just visiting remote locations then this handset is an invaluable investment. A monthly fee of $19.95 will give you 75 cents per minute talk time. Satworx says that is cheaper than competingsatellite phone company plans by 65%.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CYfUdxS05Tw&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CYfUdxS05Tw&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Built to function in the most severe conditions anywhere on the globe, the phone delivers the most reliable satellite communications with exceptionally clear voice quality with a battery life of up to eight hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time. The IsatPhone Pro is enabled for satellite telephony, voicemail, text and email messaging and GPS location data. It comes equipped with Bluetooth technology for easy hands-free use and operates over global geostationary satellites that will take users through the year 2020 and beyond. The phone itself is built with an intuitive GSM-style interface with a high-visibility screen and a larger keypad for easy dialing with gloves on.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bVzEmw1lVOqYn4YAzxnWYHp8vXpK2QMKJqQKi0t7E6sunAqAgWC136oK7eILT_swGU2h2Z08A9jgqcTIN5z_nx1wey4cWkK8YBWTztjVMJkYqsfN1XxT_HFQzRW32TXzo_IClQ/s1600/isatphone-satellite-phone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bVzEmw1lVOqYn4YAzxnWYHp8vXpK2QMKJqQKi0t7E6sunAqAgWC136oK7eILT_swGU2h2Z08A9jgqcTIN5z_nx1wey4cWkK8YBWTztjVMJkYqsfN1XxT_HFQzRW32TXzo_IClQ/s320/isatphone-satellite-phone.jpg" border="0" alt="isatpro satellite phone under $500" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491986812830770066" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Satellite phone usage and interest have grown exponentially with companies expanding business into remote areas of the world, renewed interest in adventure travel and disaster-readiness plans that command the need for reliable communication. Over 1.1 million people subscribed to satellite phone services in 2009 and that number is poised to grow in 2010. Whether for business continuity plans or emergency preparedness plans, Satworx continues to deliver the most economical solutions that allow companies and government organizations at all levels to upgrade their capabilities while maintaining or even cutting their communications budget by up to 50%. The <span style="font-style:italic;">IsatPhone Pro from Satworx</span> is less than half the cost to purchase and maintain than other satellite phone handsets, which makes it easy to outfit anyone who may be outside traditional cell coverage.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The world's lightest satellite phone just got lighter on your wallet. By offering the IsatPhone at the most affordable price point, the technology will be open to more businesses that send their employees to remote locations and individuals who live in areas where having a satellite phone can make the difference in saving lives in an emergency.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1O1nxi40XnI&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1O1nxi40XnI&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Owning a <span style="font-weight:bold;">satellite phone</span> enables anyone to travel, work or live confidently knowing that in the event of an emergency, their satellite phone will instantly connect them to emergency personnel. The $495 introductory price is available while supplies last.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-88470769685968924372010-07-04T07:56:00.000-07:002010-07-07T14:01:39.597-07:00Inmarsat rolls out IsatPhone Pro satellite phone<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Inmarsat has doffed the covers of its latest global handheld satellite phone, the IsatPhone Pro. The company is said to be a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. The device hints at being the “game changer” in the specialist market, as it is available at a reasonable price. The satellite phone from Inmarsat proffers an unparalleled design at the most competitive price point in the market.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jTO3R4kAeiQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jTO3R4kAeiQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The device comes loaded with features that it claims are unrivaled by its competitors. The phone is enabled with the market’s longest battery life and the most robust handset asserted by extensive testing. The battery life lasts up to 8 hours of talk time and up to 100 hours on standby. It has been accredited to an IP54 rating, and the device is shock, dust and splash resistant. The handset functions in the widest temperature range from -20 degrees C to +55 degrees C that any satellite phone is capable of operating. Features include a fully-manoeuvrable antenna, a larger keypad for easy dialling in gloves and an intuitive GSM-style interface with a high-visibility colour screen. It offers satellite telephony, text and e-mail messaging and location data can be viewed and sent via text message.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sYmeYMd4FBk&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sYmeYMd4FBk&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The IsatPhone Pro is the first satellite phone to be built exclusively from scratch for the Inmarsat network. The device has been built in such a way to fulfill the need of the user, and work even in the remotest and harshest of environments. The phone is targeted at professional users in the oil and gas, aid, government, media, mining and construction industries.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-32802961929209223692010-07-04T07:46:00.000-07:002010-07-07T14:57:26.394-07:00Thuraya XT GPS Waypoint Navigation<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thuraya's XT handheld is the only satellite phone enabling GPS waypoint navigation services. This unique service allows users to navigate their way to a selected location with the phone providing distance and directional assistance through an electronic compass.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6bvIQsX7U8JR_QNXxNydyLLhVR2StAfnmmyCFJfHVyN21ufcS0KlAnG40dK_HPBbu05OdSRbP5VTJM9q26KnlrlPimyuyUv3cqQva8rhGUUbdiF686MUmldDlVnt04IiFGvK5g/s1600/thuraya-waypoint.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6bvIQsX7U8JR_QNXxNydyLLhVR2StAfnmmyCFJfHVyN21ufcS0KlAnG40dK_HPBbu05OdSRbP5VTJM9q26KnlrlPimyuyUv3cqQva8rhGUUbdiF686MUmldDlVnt04IiFGvK5g/s320/thuraya-waypoint.png" border="0" alt="thuraya waypoint navigation"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491286414347110034" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Since the users of satellite phones are normally based in outdoor and remote locations, they inevitably require GPS services to reach certain locations and to be reached in the event of an emergency.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gPcjlPbVkMQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gPcjlPbVkMQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Through Thuraya XT's GPS application, Thuraya's users are able to access several handy and vital services. Most significant is the ability to navigate to a waypoint that is selected by the user. Thuraya XT's GPS services allows you to save your own GPS coordinates and, based on this the phone, automatically calculates the direction and distance to any required waypoint location. Not only that but Thuraya XT is the only satellite handheld in the market that has a GPS Helper function which allows users to consistently and automatically send their location so that they can be tracked. This is an important feature for monitoring and safety purposes and the position tracking can be essential in emergency situations. Only the user can select who is able to track the phone warding off any chance of unwanted tracking and increasing privacy and security.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ceN3guKSJuk&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ceN3guKSJuk&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For further reliability, Thuraya XT allows customers to save any route taken through the Location Tracking feature which is useful in difficult terrain. The phone will automatically record your route while moving and it will save the waypoints along the route which makes it a very powerful navigation tool.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-3734742827180244622010-05-22T05:08:00.001-07:002010-08-08T12:42:20.564-07:00Satellite Phones vs Cell Phones<p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWuJo1XcenJ8IRYXz-A2aHkJWhW5NCGDwc6mQaNMQZaAI11orh2ScpQyWlup9Wqm7fW8RcCeMy_cdOQGZi23sEUx08MtNDZqD_BN1BeFqtLqW0MtwpJkUME5lQtmFCStJRK-u/s1600/gsm-wrold-coverage-2009.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWuJo1XcenJ8IRYXz-A2aHkJWhW5NCGDwc6mQaNMQZaAI11orh2ScpQyWlup9Wqm7fW8RcCeMy_cdOQGZi23sEUx08MtNDZqD_BN1BeFqtLqW0MtwpJkUME5lQtmFCStJRK-u/s320/gsm-wrold-coverage-2009.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463343089655800130" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What is the difference between a satellite phone and a cell phone? Cell phones rely on terrestrial networks to complete a call whereas satellite phones rely on orbiting satellites – the satellite is the equivalent of a cell phone mast. This means that sat phones are ideal for individuals traveling in remote locations where there is no cell phone coverage. It also means that satellite phones are essential in case of <span style="font-style:italic;">emergency such as a hurricane or earthquake</span> – often the local cell phone infrastructure is destroyed which makes calls by cell phone impossible.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Although call costs are more expensive using a satellite phone when you are in an area with no traditional communication methods, sat phones are vital. As this map from GSM World shows, there are still vast regions of the world that aren’t <span style="font-weight:bold;">covered by GSM networks</span>. Compare this with the Iridium satellite phone network which provides global coverage and you can see how useful satellite phones are.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another difference between satellite phones and cell phones are the handsets used. Satellite phones have a built in extendable antenna which allows the phone to pick up a satellite signal. Apart from the extendable antenna the handsets are now very similar in size and weight to cell phones making them very easy to carry when travelling.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It is possible to combine the advantages of GSM and satellite networks in one handset. <span style="font-style:italic;">Thuraya SIM cards</span> allow you to roam on compatible GSM networks when in their coverage area. Even better, the <a href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/sg-2520.htm" title="SG 2520">Thuraya SG-2520</a> functions with both a Thuraya SIM card and GSM SIM card with no phone unlocking required. This means that when you are in a GSM coverage area you can use a local SIM card reducing call costs and meaning you only need to carry one handset.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Satellite phones and cell phones</span> both have their advantages but for communication in remote locations a sat phone is the best option.</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do1mfyOQgiE&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Do1mfyOQgiE&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-13731379951118237012010-04-23T08:39:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:16:20.105-07:00The new Iridium Pre-Paid 750 Minute SIM Card<p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSVAwiJNT5IaXbOa7ZHQAK9Zfq9-EYzYd1Cio2aGMAUCmGVK1OsxFpMbLa2YtxTo30hWz2pNxrAonxLh8s7DASAJaiBmrKwp8irXxBEA79ulkMb3673kqxiItfeng_K7hHuhD/s1600/iridium_sims_prepayed.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSVAwiJNT5IaXbOa7ZHQAK9Zfq9-EYzYd1Cio2aGMAUCmGVK1OsxFpMbLa2YtxTo30hWz2pNxrAonxLh8s7DASAJaiBmrKwp8irXxBEA79ulkMb3673kqxiItfeng_K7hHuhD/s400/iridium_sims_prepayed.gif" border="0" alt="Iridium pr-paid SIM Card" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463353421050379426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Iridium have launched a new pre-paid voucher to cater for high-use seasonal customers. During the summer months sat phone usage increases as users in the tourist and leisure industries start to use sat phones for emergency purposes while partaking in outdoor activities. This voucher is ideal for these customers as it has a six month validity to cover satellite phone usage until the autumn. Furthermore there are no coverage restrictions so users can take advantage of Iridium’s global coverage.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Iridium 750 minute voucher offers a call cost of 63p per minute to landlines or mobile phones and a cost of just 31p per minute to Iridium phones - these prices are cheaper than the cost per minute with an Iridium contract without the 12 month commitment.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Please note that you cannot add extra validity or credit to the 750 minute SIM card and it is only available on a new Iridium SIM card. The Iridium pre-paid voucher is available to purchase online now for next day delivery from most Iridium service resellers.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-49799613409485471382010-03-23T16:59:00.000-07:002010-08-08T10:15:40.399-07:00TerreStar Completes Ground Based Beam Forming Test<p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGiIECp1VEyrvMtRX49goAr1uMuvzwNZMIwYWWAKY6RbzaTXXUdFmhZpdAEY95rqjRfzxWgsG385jfEQRGGUWl-fmvQOW89OyqZNLqdEOVAG6imUOixPyozDudCsVcC1mw2xVAw/s1600-h/terrestar-architecture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGiIECp1VEyrvMtRX49goAr1uMuvzwNZMIwYWWAKY6RbzaTXXUdFmhZpdAEY95rqjRfzxWgsG385jfEQRGGUWl-fmvQOW89OyqZNLqdEOVAG6imUOixPyozDudCsVcC1mw2xVAw/s320/terrestar-architecture.jpg" border="0" alt="terrestar smartphone service" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451984712305053490" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">TerreStar Networks completed its initial on-orbit testing of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Ground Based Beam Forming (GBBF)</span> is complete, clearing another hurdle prior to the launch of its hybrid satellite+terrestrial smartphone service. The service is expected to launch in the second half of this year.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The TerreStar GBBF system is the first two-way GBBF system to employ both ground based calibration and beam forming. The system provides the flexibility to deploy over 500 spot beams and manage power and capacity as customer demand dictates.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR7PwRb5diIqUWptkYEHJc6nHlRYM4gR5H8oS6XnMY9RYVVcU8qWZ19DnpF1OtNqfTFbITTorvcDjPA-WFmTw4Gtr13363E9mRcUAmuJRXpK1_CxQeXkgCjrtgnhjgGGqYCdoBg/s1600-h/eb-satphone.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR7PwRb5diIqUWptkYEHJc6nHlRYM4gR5H8oS6XnMY9RYVVcU8qWZ19DnpF1OtNqfTFbITTorvcDjPA-WFmTw4Gtr13363E9mRcUAmuJRXpK1_CxQeXkgCjrtgnhjgGGqYCdoBg/s320/eb-satphone.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451984884072681602" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Stable, configurable beams are being formed and link performance is meeting our expectations for this phase," said Dennis Matheson, chief technology officer, TerreStar. "We could not have made this tremendous progress without our dedicated partners Hughes Network Systems and Space Systems/Loral."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Since the launch of our satellite, TerreStar-1, on July 1, 2009, TerreStar has continued to execute on its vision of offering ubiquitous, reliable and resilient mobile service -- virtually anywhere in North America," said Jeffrey Epstein, president & CEO, TerreStar. "Today's 'first' is another milestone on the path to deliver the next generation of mobile services."</span></p><object width="450" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2keK3f9KosA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2keK3f9KosA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="315"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">* In September 2009, AT&T agreed to market TerreStar's satellite cellular smartphone. The TerreStar GENUS Smartphone combines AT&T's 3G terrestrial wireless service with TerreStar's all-IP satellite voice and data as a back-up throughout the United States. The TerreStar satellite footprint also covers Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and offshore coastal waters. The satellite-terrestrial smartphone reference design represents the world's first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA device running the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, and offering integrated satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">* In July 2009, TerreStar Networks successfully completed the first end-to-end VoIP phone call over its newly launched TerreStar-1, the world's largest, most advanced commercial communications satellite. The call used two handsets developed by EB (Elektrobit).</span></p><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yTRV1JQPOJg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yTRV1JQPOJg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-28663726445926514712010-03-12T14:18:00.000-08:002010-08-08T12:37:58.271-07:00Next-generation “Iridium 9602” satellite data transceiver<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Iridium Communications Inc. unveiled its next-generation “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Iridium 9602</span>” satellite data transceiver in January at its annual Partners Conference in Phoenix, Ariz.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniDh-CekWx3wiS9zH_Y9H_npdsAIK-MjA1yEdzfi2b22tfmsOvVG40PEl-gBzSnlZfn_-dAr_1WrX5ZJKfcQv4VclePnF3CwKLxr-2Pd7U8mp9ZYns4nkT3SZ5fRclk3g5fCtzg/s1600-h/iridium-data-tranceiver.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniDh-CekWx3wiS9zH_Y9H_npdsAIK-MjA1yEdzfi2b22tfmsOvVG40PEl-gBzSnlZfn_-dAr_1WrX5ZJKfcQv4VclePnF3CwKLxr-2Pd7U8mp9ZYns4nkT3SZ5fRclk3g5fCtzg/s400/iridium-data-tranceiver.png" alt="iridium data tranceiver" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447877408449718530" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Iridium 9602 is a <span style="font-style: italic;">full-duplex short-burst data (SBD) transceiver designed for embedded applications</span> in the rapidly growing market for remote asset tracking and monitoring solutions. The product, which is the culmination of a two-year R&D program, has completed prototype testing, and Iridium expects to begin commercial deliveries in June.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The new Iridium 9602 short-burst data transceiver will provide global two-way data links for remote tracking, monitoring and messaging applications. The small size of the new Iridium 9602 short-burst data transceiver will enable system integrators to embed the unit in a wide range of small, portable satellite tracking, monitoring and messaging solutions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“The smaller, lower-cost Iridium 9602 will serve as the data communication engine for a wide range of portable tracking and monitoring devices, leveraging Iridium’s global coverage and low-latency, two-way data links,” said Don Thoma, executive vice president for marketing at Iridium. “Our service partners are already testing prototypes in their Iridium 9602-based solutions for applications such as tracking soldiers and military vehicles in the field, telemetry from unattended sensors, fleet management, enterprise logistics and supply-chain visibility, as well as personal two-way navigation and mapping devices.”</span></p><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ts8V_EqNuPI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ts8V_EqNuPI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“The matchbox-sized Iridium 9602 is 69 percent smaller, 74 percent lighter and considerably less expensive than the first-generation Iridium 9601 SBD modem, which we designed the Iridium 9602 to replace,” said Thoma. “The very small form factor and low power consumption will offer greater flexibility to value-added manufacturers (VAM) and resellers (VAR) embedding the Iridium 9602 into their products.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“The Iridium 9602 focuses on highest overall value of price and performance offering global, real-time service combined with new lower pricing,” said Patrick Shay, vice president, data services, Iridium. “The Iridium 9602 is the highest value in the industry.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A unique feature of the Iridium 9602 is its built-in GPS input/output ports which will permit system integrators to interface with an external GPS receiver, using a single dual-mode L-Band antenna for GPS and Iridium SBD, saving the cost of an antenna in their applications.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The duplex data links provided by the Iridium 9602 will permit two-way communications to and from the remote devices, allowing users to reprogram the unit, adjust its reporting intervals and send on-demand queries for specific data updates. It will also enable first responders and search-and-rescue authorities to respond to emergency distress signals from personal location and tracking devices.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3YHxL1vwYrnlKrJ4KaBQJ2405znuFIEIfaMiNytg0AbpXYK_0ODgXd63__VynP2kpK7fKTx46gu1uQVjr0cM-V7dK-nuY4NtNDpIfNN5lZR7oNR7SRJDJRDm31ret8QsiAXrcg/s1600-h/iridium-9602.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3YHxL1vwYrnlKrJ4KaBQJ2405znuFIEIfaMiNytg0AbpXYK_0ODgXd63__VynP2kpK7fKTx46gu1uQVjr0cM-V7dK-nuY4NtNDpIfNN5lZR7oNR7SRJDJRDm31ret8QsiAXrcg/s400/iridium-9602.png" alt="iridium 9602" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447877285903437986" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“Prototype evaluations from Iridium’s service partners have been positive,” Thoma said. “More than 90 companies are working on plans to embed the Iridium 9602 in their next-generation products.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“Our phase-out program for the Iridium 9601 will allow for ample overlap with the Iridium 9602, to ensure that our VAMs and VARs will be able to transition seamlessly to the new technology,” said Thoma.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">According to a November 2009 report by TMF Associates, the number of low data rate mobile satellite service (MSS) devices is projected to grow from 1.5 million active terminals at the end of 2009 to more than 3.1 million active terminals by the end of 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 21 percent. Tim Farrar, a satellite industry analyst and author of the report, said, “Low-cost portable satellite tracking and messaging devices are an important new opportunity, and represent one of the fastest growing parts of the low data rate MSS market. The introduction of two-way connectivity will further stimulate market growth, particularly among professional users who may have been reluctant to rely on one-way satellite devices offering no assurance that a message has been received.”</span></p><object width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ntft1eSa8Tg&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ntft1eSa8Tg&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-56842913550822810012010-03-01T07:49:00.000-08:002010-03-09T11:25:30.608-08:00Sasken Comm to launch IsatPhone Pro - handheld satellite phone by June<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd, a global provider of software and support services for the communication industry, has reported that <span style="font-weight: bold;">IsatPhone Pro, a handheld satellite phone</span> developed by Sasken for Inmarsat, the leader in global mobile satellite communications services, has completed its first call from Hawaii and is set for a planned global launch in June 2010, the company said in a regulatory filing.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LUvLyijJz1v4cOJXCcILGx2OuX6fqZ5JJ-J4yQ6g-L8U9oJwrfy-36aaObA_V5i7WkpuaWTaGrImGg-Y3ZMixUpJ0S19JOBcHGzrwdcsLRYvWCPjtXkc4n5G5L4Rqb1jNtTtyA/s1600-h/isat-phone-pro.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LUvLyijJz1v4cOJXCcILGx2OuX6fqZ5JJ-J4yQ6g-L8U9oJwrfy-36aaObA_V5i7WkpuaWTaGrImGg-Y3ZMixUpJ0S19JOBcHGzrwdcsLRYvWCPjtXkc4n5G5L4Rqb1jNtTtyA/s400/isat-phone-pro.png" alt="isatphone pro" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446716496033705970" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“One of the most important elements of the IsatPhone Pro development has been the R&D, and Sasken has successfully delivered on all key milestones in the last 13 months of this engagement,” said Helen Stalker, commercial director of Global Satellite Phone Services at Inmarsat. “We are all looking forward to the phone’s launch planned for June,” she added.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sasken is responsible for end-to-end development of the IsatPhone Pro satellite phone, which has been made possible through its multi-site capabilities and centres of excellence in India, Finland and Germany. Last year around this time, we announced the partnership with Inmarsat to bring its global handheld satellite phone to the market. This year, they are all set to deliver on that promise.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-36184283428463829822010-02-25T17:40:00.000-08:002010-02-25T18:11:00.319-08:00More satellite phones for Trans Labrador Highway use<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Emergency communications are being upgraded for anyone traveling on remote sections of the Trans Labrador Highway.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The provincial government has added 25 satellite phones for use along the route between Labrador West and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The government says the addition will mean that 65 satellite phones will be available to drivers. There is no charge for using the phones. Satellite phones can now be picked up at hotels in Wabush, Churchill Falls, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Cartwright, Port Hope Simpson and Charlottetown. Residents borrowing a phone need to provide their driver's licence number and non-residents need to provide a valid credit card number.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPfQhB-lyaUQuRxqa3wpY7v_oX-SS6mBAaVvepC0GXerhYaWv4GAerdcv1uTqJYZsYGjV9RjDmlqLfQY4pOdhhdmvZTAls-PkYYt8e3TDq3PFzB7vs6c9ksLoGyVHdmjZ7IZjpw/s1600-h/labrador-highway-phone.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 356px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPfQhB-lyaUQuRxqa3wpY7v_oX-SS6mBAaVvepC0GXerhYaWv4GAerdcv1uTqJYZsYGjV9RjDmlqLfQY4pOdhhdmvZTAls-PkYYt8e3TDq3PFzB7vs6c9ksLoGyVHdmjZ7IZjpw/s400/labrador-highway-phone.png" border="0" alt="labrador remote highway emergency phone"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442363285206875730" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The new <span style="font-weight: bold;">phones are pre-programmed to call the police in case of emergency</span>. The overall highway, which has a mostly gravel surface, runs for hundreds of kilometers. Its route goes from the western mining towns of Labrador City and Wabush across the territory and then along the coast to fishing communities in southern Labrador.<br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-63607568023273460622009-11-11T07:26:00.000-08:002010-02-25T18:01:33.487-08:00Sat-phone technology and guerilla warfare<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Alex de Waal has posted an interesting piece on the fantastic <a href="http://blogs.ssrc.org/darfur/">Making Sense of Darfur blog</a> in which he explains how communication technology is further transforming the face of warfare in locations where communication used to be far more time consuming. In the piece, De Waal analyzes the specific impact of the Thuraya satellite phone on conflict in Darfur; rebel leaders can now communicate with each other from the remotest of areas.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;font-style:italic;">"The advent of the Thuraya phone has radically changed warfare in across the Sahara desert, as illustrated in the case of Darfur. Twenty five years ago, I remember travelling across Darfur with no phone lines, with telecommunication possible only through ageing two-way radios in the police stations. The mail was slow and unreliable. The only way of communicating anything other than the tersest instruction or question was to meet face to face, or send a messenger. On top of the cellphone, which has transformed communication in urban areas, the Thuraya phone has made it possible for people in the remotest locations to communicate instantly. In other places, this has transformed long-distance trade. In Darfur, it has transformed warfare. Desert warfare, as practiced by the Chadians and Darfurians, is based on mobility and surprise. The Landcruiser is the basic unit of military force. The possession of a Thuraya elevates a commander into a potential leader.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ451ZIp5Ys9Z0UIuMjjvfb2cEErZHFCNtYZKaktpkifVxZXeXEzdMOXEm33vF2JTqEwk5zztlY04Ry8Ka6NJbXdKR7oHmWaxwwiAJouzQRCcfTHERiMe2f99I_YAeidNTSSevXQ/s1600-h/rebel-satellite-phone.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ451ZIp5Ys9Z0UIuMjjvfb2cEErZHFCNtYZKaktpkifVxZXeXEzdMOXEm33vF2JTqEwk5zztlY04Ry8Ka6NJbXdKR7oHmWaxwwiAJouzQRCcfTHERiMe2f99I_YAeidNTSSevXQ/s400/rebel-satellite-phone.png" border="0" alt="guerilla use of satellite phone"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442366205973045826" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;font-style:italic;">Tactical coordination is key to a successful operation. Before the Thuraya phone, guerrilla operations needed tight discipline and extremely careful planning. More often, the commanders gambled on surprise and the momentum of battle, relying on their prowess in combat to carry the day. Today, with the Thuraya phone, commanders in distant theatres can coordinate their actions. Or they can assemble forces from different places at very short order. They only need to agree on that day’s operation—tomorrow’s can be planned tomorrow. A commander with a handful of Landcruisers and a Thuraya is essentially autonomous at a tactical level. It is possible for commanders who formally belong to different factions to coordinate a joint operation at very short notice. Their superiors can do little about it. And it happens.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;font-style:italic;">Airtime is a precious commodity and can be transmitted from one Thuraya to another. Money can be sent too. Instant communication can be backed up by instant resources. Hierarchical command and control over a dispersed force becomes difficult.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;font-style:italic;">Warfare in these places is also a livelihood and a means for political bargaining. Before telecommunications, political bargains had to be negotiated face to face. And once a bargain was made, say between a tribal leader and a provincial governor, it was difficult for the chief to renegotiate or to seek out another patron. The pace of political renegotiation was slow. The Thuraya has revolutionalized the bargaining process, and allowed the chief, or rebel commander, to conduct several negotiations in parallel. He can monitor the marketplace, weigh up his options, and renegotiate his deals rapidly.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;font-style:italic;">The Thuraya war is a facet of globalization and the information technology revolution. It is a deregulation of violence, and developed much more rapidly than the mechanisms for managing and resolving conflicts."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Then again, satellite phones also make it easier for information to be conveyed between warring parties. Misconceptions about an opponent’s capabilities are a major reason behind the unnecessary continuation of a given war. As de Waal has explained, satellite phones ease the difficulty of negotiations and could therefore shorten the course of war by making it more difficult for commanders to withhold private information. This could provide groups with more opportunities to end a war.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-70503292099479064802009-08-18T11:46:00.000-07:002009-08-25T09:42:20.750-07:00Thuraya launches a new phone - Thuraya XT<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thuraya launches a new satellite phone namely Thuraya XT which is claimed to be the world's toughest satellite phone. Having released it with the many advanced features to ensure resilience, the company ensures that the device complies with world telecom IP54/IK03 standards. This makes it water resistant, and unaffected by dust and it is considered to be the most reliable satellite handheld phone launched so far.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWnBfawJjzy22vCtrQKBn03oBwaewA1We_E9hKDmjMWdeygkbG3Kz7xC6XnWzvDCe3KTsKOWOz2vc85Fuy-6rUlqieRSmRk7RzxKxxmJVqHxbNJcPQWuTmUgtjjp5x6hyBSjNlA/s1600-h/thuraya-xt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWnBfawJjzy22vCtrQKBn03oBwaewA1We_E9hKDmjMWdeygkbG3Kz7xC6XnWzvDCe3KTsKOWOz2vc85Fuy-6rUlqieRSmRk7RzxKxxmJVqHxbNJcPQWuTmUgtjjp5x6hyBSjNlA/s400/thuraya-xt.jpg" alt="thuraya xt satellite phone" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373941818903674338" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In times when many facilities are required in a handheld phone, this innovative satellite handheld is released keeping all the needs of consumers in perspective. Adding more to its advanced features, it provides users with GPRS facility, allowing browsing the web with a laptop or PC from any location and in-built GPS-Navigation feature allowing users to create and manage Waypoints. Along with its battery longevity which has a talk-time of up to 6 hours, its standby-time is of up to 80 hours. This satellite handheld phone has been designed to allow consumers to use it in severe environments protecting its damage from water, dust and shocks.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This innovative phone has a glare-resistant with an internal brightness sensor making possible to have perfect readability outdoors due to its low reflection in bright environments. With the ruggedness of the phone, the Thuraya XT is designed with a professional and user-friendly menu allowing users to access the functions of the phone in a less span of time.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The phone also provides messaging through SMS, e-mail, fax and Organiser services and supports 12 languages. Besides, adding more to its ruggedness is the outside casing of the device. The external housing is manufactured using the latest polycarbonates and has attached rubber seals on all plugs for entire and complete protection, ascertaining the phone's durability in severe and harsh outdoor environments.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Thuraya XT weighs only 193 grams, making it one of the smallest satellite phones. The mobile satellite operator provides a wide coverage in more than 140 countries ranging from Iceland to Australia. The product's price and availability is not revealed by the company yet.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-65693210123018576132009-05-07T07:24:00.000-07:002009-05-14T16:29:04.642-07:00New try for cell-like satellite phone<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The vast, thinly populated expanses of the country that still lack cellphone coverage could be getting an interesting option next year: ordinary-looking cellphones that connect to a satellite when there's no cell tower around. In June, a rocket is scheduled to lift the largest commercial satellite yet into space. In orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth, the satellite will unfurl an umbrella of gold mesh 60 feet across and aim it at the U.S.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR1CwBt4AKREnhtmzCJ3j2TTtIwHkfynXSqPRkxaKzSXqYcAsR7akbph4bN0vr8tqKltM4eGayD344wFoxdEnRzmGm4HTHApOg4wiAABqJEkWNyMHiHuFu4c7ZbsLlpmlGpxK8Q/s1600-h/skyterra-satellite-with-beams.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR1CwBt4AKREnhtmzCJ3j2TTtIwHkfynXSqPRkxaKzSXqYcAsR7akbph4bN0vr8tqKltM4eGayD344wFoxdEnRzmGm4HTHApOg4wiAABqJEkWNyMHiHuFu4c7ZbsLlpmlGpxK8Q/s320/skyterra-satellite-with-beams.jpg" alt="skyterra satellite" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335825438774944114" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That gigantic antenna will let the satellite pick up signals from phones that are not much larger than regular cellphones. That satellite, from TerreStar, is due to be followed by two similar, even larger ones from SkyTerra Communications next year. SkyTerra puts the cost of its satellites at $1.2 billion. On the face of it, these are bold moves, especially considering that the satellite phone business has been troubled. Most famously, two companies with grand projects for worldwide satellite phone coverage, Iridium and Globalstar, filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of the decade, wiping out billions in investor capital. But the background to the new launches is more complicated, and analysts say the business models of TerreStar and SkyTerra ultimately might rely more on the companies becoming acquisition targets for conventional wireless carriers.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CESn8oZCLAb7ktSxqLuCMlVM1kBVSpWXbUmNonwtQVLrplL8Hwk89S6JT3en4eV0n-uelSA80Is-JtFLMf2p4fPeWqY_O0SrVPSQEfEPbd5Ny0JzddANs-wni7gM_F3sh05dNg/s1600-h/elektrobit-satellite-gsm-phone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CESn8oZCLAb7ktSxqLuCMlVM1kBVSpWXbUmNonwtQVLrplL8Hwk89S6JT3en4eV0n-uelSA80Is-JtFLMf2p4fPeWqY_O0SrVPSQEfEPbd5Ny0JzddANs-wni7gM_F3sh05dNg/s320/elektrobit-satellite-gsm-phone.jpg" alt="Elektrobit satellite phone" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335816617544033986" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">There's plenty of competition in satellite phones, even though it's a niche market. Iridium and Globalstar are still in operation, providing last-resort communications for the military, forest wardens and others who can afford to buy dedicated, bulky satellite handsets for $1,000 and up. Inmarsat offers a third alternative. Even so, SkyTerra and TerreStar say their new satellites, combined with advances in chip technology, can take "satphones" into the mainstream — devices you'd buy in an AT&T store. The ability to call via satellite will be marketed as "an insurance policy or peace-of-mind feature," said SkyTerra spokesman Tom Surface. The first handsets for TerreStar's satellite would cost about $700, said TerreStar chief executive Jeff Epstein. At a cellphone trade show earlier this month, the company displayed a prototype built by small Finnish company, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Elektrobit</span>. The phone has a typewriter-style keyboard and runs Windows Mobile software, making it similar to many BlackBerry-style, e-mail-oriented phones for corporate use, but a bit thicker. And unlike Iridium and Globalstar phones, there's no protruding antenna. Both companies indicate that calling over a satellite will cost less than $1 per minute, the approximate price of Iridium calls. TerreStar also has a roaming agreement with AT&T for calls that don't go through the satellite, and expects the combined satellite and ground system to be working before the end of this year. One significant limitation, beside the fact that the phones will work in North America only, is that the handsets need to be in clear view of a satellite Given these limitations, and the steady expansion of ground-based networks, is there really a mass demand for satellite phones? Satellite analyst and consultant Tim Farrar at TMF Associates is skeptical. He believes the number of people interested in satellite calling, even if just for emergencies, is small compared to the overall cellphone market. "Last time around, people tried out Iridium phones, and thought 'What use is this to me if I have to go out and stand in the middle of a field to make a call?' " he said.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOrfB7aVBBoKMqkyy2YDFkEkVlHeWbTjsQ2kge_oRWSwU3Q7f7Io06NwTg632R6fa6ekL_orOZzZjiKh18j9YGHK75QU6J-C6akq69jtWgn-U-hgmJNAwr69HC_FkdRIOCptBoQ/s1600-h/elektrobit-satellite-cell-phone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOrfB7aVBBoKMqkyy2YDFkEkVlHeWbTjsQ2kge_oRWSwU3Q7f7Io06NwTg632R6fa6ekL_orOZzZjiKh18j9YGHK75QU6J-C6akq69jtWgn-U-hgmJNAwr69HC_FkdRIOCptBoQ/s320/elektrobit-satellite-cell-phone.jpg" alt="satellite cell phone" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335822285907345954" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Given these obstacles, Farrar believes the value of SkyTerra and TerreStar is in their airwave spectrum holdings. The companies have permission from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Federal Communications Commission</span> to use slices of the airwaves for both satellite and ground-based networks, as long as a satellite is in orbit. Eventually, TerreStar and SkyTerra could try to put those airwaves to use with their own cell towers on the ground — or they could use that spectrum to entice a carrier like AT&T or Verizon. The wireless companies would normally have to pay billions for spectrum with nationwide coverage, but they might find that snapping up one of these satellite companies is a cheaper way to get that access, said Armand Musey, a satellite consultant.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-49687438368332534282009-05-07T07:21:00.000-07:002009-05-14T21:44:48.296-07:009505A handset is entering its End of Life stage<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" title="iridium link" href="http://www.iridium.com/">Iridium</a> has formally announced that the <a title="iridium phone 9505-a" href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/motorola-9505a.htm">Iridium 9505A handset</a> is now entering its End of Life stage. The End of Life stage begins once a product is no longer being manufactured or the product is being replaced by a newer model.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" title="9505A" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmNY_Qd86wOLWYrGhSBZ_qxL9oZzXTH6bhWVlPlMZD0q0czr5nov5ENd3rwWwlA8cXHt74fYQ7OsmvzoZetz7CAmAKeUC7Okx6BC4E97u7lfcEPLIGSdelCxIl0ClzO1e1UqtGg/s1600-h/iridium-motorola-9505-a-end-of-life.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmNY_Qd86wOLWYrGhSBZ_qxL9oZzXTH6bhWVlPlMZD0q0czr5nov5ENd3rwWwlA8cXHt74fYQ7OsmvzoZetz7CAmAKeUC7Okx6BC4E97u7lfcEPLIGSdelCxIl0ClzO1e1UqtGg/s320/iridium-motorola-9505-a-end-of-life.jpg" alt="iridium motorola 9505 A" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334659377007570530" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This announcement affects all Iridium 9505A handset kits including the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Iridium 9505A Essential Kit</span>, Iridium 9505A <span style="font-weight: bold;">Complete Kit</span>, Iridium 9505A <span style="font-weight: bold;">Grab & Go Kit</span> and also the Iridium 9505A <span style="font-weight: bold;">Refurbished Kit</span>.</span></p><p><div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-yhTyaYcB9o&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-yhTyaYcB9o&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-42386814593913759722009-02-13T07:16:00.000-08:002009-02-13T10:52:12.700-08:00Iridium communications satellite destroyed after collision<p><div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hf-EWeUl8KE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hf-EWeUl8KE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A commercial <a href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/iridium-satellite.php" title="Iridium satellite">Iridium communications satellite</a> and decommissioned Russian satellite both appear to have been destroyed after an unprecedented collision in space. The collision took place on Tuesday and was verified by U.S. government organizations that track satellites and other orbits. The in-orbit collision will mean brief service outages for some customers over the next few days but Iridium said it expects to have the issue largely resolved by Friday. Within a month, the company expects to have one of a number of in-orbit spare satellites moved into position to replace the one that was lost.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3L7GQZD3kgVN_PnKNP4Ai357SY5PePA6rcFvgRnm3cm0scmpcFpXzQUisji1_eYDpeDu1g1hveu6rTYqgB6EDjzN9tZKhvTwJqXG5nbvXsUzAIyw8p8NVOowuTmas73Q7vIWVQ/s1600-h/satellite-iridium-collision-727355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3L7GQZD3kgVN_PnKNP4Ai357SY5PePA6rcFvgRnm3cm0scmpcFpXzQUisji1_eYDpeDu1g1hveu6rTYqgB6EDjzN9tZKhvTwJqXG5nbvXsUzAIyw8p8NVOowuTmas73Q7vIWVQ/s320/satellite-iridium-collision-727355.jpg" alt="Iridium communication satellite" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293453121044394146" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">AFP has reported that he incident was confirmed by Major General Alexander Yakushin, the head of the Russian space industry who said: "A collision occurred between an Iridium 33 satellite and a Russian Kosmos 2251 military satellite." Iridium has already denied that it was at fault for the incident and in a statement described it as a, "extremely unusual, very low-probability event".</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Iridium satellite was one of 66 orbiting the earth, provide mobile phone communications but the company said that its services would not be affected as it "is uniquely designed to withstand such an event, and the company is taking the necessary steps to replace the lost satellite with one of its in-orbit spare satellites."</span></p><div align=center><object width="445" height="284"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0zcRT1wSF8M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0zcRT1wSF8M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="284"></embed></object></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The incident occurred approximately 500 miles above Siberia, and above the orbit of the International Space Station. However, NASA has already said that it does not believe the incident poses any risk to the ISS and does not believe it will delay the launch of the Discovery space shuttle flight that’s scheduled for 22 February.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">While space detritus does collide occasionally, it is the first time that two satellites have crashed. "We knew this was going to happen eventually," Mark Matney, an orbital debris scientist at Johnson Space Center in Houston is reported to have said.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-67724726507126105142009-01-19T13:06:00.001-08:002009-05-11T12:27:50.441-07:00Inmarsat warns of BGAN outages<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Inmarsat has warned Asian users of its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) that they will lose some coverage over the next month as the operator repositions three satellites. The coverage gap for Asia will include much of China, most of southeast Asia, Western Australia, and all of Korea until the repositioning is completed tentatively by February 24.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUlK2wWHS9g_zUDJFuBcilu3XknQQgyGv8fB7S_gqRP6ywp9TrLKWsaaoUFFOxbF97MA5yfCSviA-XwKkw6yfYR66nO5y1CDefn7DmLfF3OCVY-0a44XbBWPU9wSnkUQmRei4-A/s1600-h/inmarsat-coverage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUlK2wWHS9g_zUDJFuBcilu3XknQQgyGv8fB7S_gqRP6ywp9TrLKWsaaoUFFOxbF97MA5yfCSviA-XwKkw6yfYR66nO5y1CDefn7DmLfF3OCVY-0a44XbBWPU9wSnkUQmRei4-A/s400/inmarsat-coverage.jpg" alt="Inmarsat coverage" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293453121044394146" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The first phase of the repositioning is already underway, with the F2 satellite being relocated to better cover India and EMEA, Inmarsat's most heavily trafficked area. The repositioning move leaves a strip of the Atlantic Ocean and parts of the coasts of Africa, the UK and Greenland uncovered.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Once that phase is completed by February 7, the next phase will involve moving the F1 satellite to extend coverage in the Asia-Pacific, currently Inmarsat’s biggest BGAN customer base.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Inmarsat’s third I-4 satellite (I-4 F3), launched late last year, went into commercial service January 7, taking over BGAN traffic (including its new <span style="font-weight: bold;">FleetBroadband</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">SwiftBroadband</span> customers for maritime and aeronautical, respectively) from the I-4 F2 satellite. Because the first two I-4 birds were positioned to provide as much coverage as possible until the third satellite was ready, they must now be repositioned to optimize coverage over the land masses they serve and provide better look angles for the terminals.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">No customer would completely lose service during the outage, and that everyone has been forewarned. Services for maritime and aeronautical customers will still be available via the I-3 satellites, although some <span style="font-weight: bold;">BGAN users</span> will have to drop down to the previous-generation GAN services. Inmarsat and distributors have been working with them, and the customer reaction has been positive because they all understand the net benefit of better service after the positioning is competed.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The customer base for services like FleetBroadband and SwiftBroadband, which leverage the I-4 satellites to enable broadband Internet services on ships and airplanes, is pretty small. Inmarsat launched those services about a year ago, and there is only about 1,500 FleetBroadband users globally. It means there’ll be very little impact for maritime users. Most of them have installed FleetBroadband gear alongside existing Inmarsat equipment. They have something naturally to fall back on. And most importantly it doesn’t impact safety services at all.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-25428496501922516412009-01-05T10:16:00.000-08:002009-01-20T11:49:40.302-08:00New Thuraya Location Services Launched<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Building upon the success of <span style="font-style: italic;">"ThurayaLocate"</span> service launched in August 2008, two more location services based on Thuraya system have recently been launched by Geonix, a leading UK-based location services and equipment provider. ThurayaAssist and ThurayaRelay are new services that are deployed on the GPS feature built in Thuraya handsets.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrLUWxMgNLcUDhi27GnbAocbhq0sKJ3YjE5ZucerY96y8gIMkYxByE-5Qf1ZaVCu1KLTO4upyfa_nDliEH0GqrYj41ydmYjgpFv3vdXggQJiq1_r8V6gysq9A4QsOVCZnwxttzQ/s1600-h/thuraya-position.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrLUWxMgNLcUDhi27GnbAocbhq0sKJ3YjE5ZucerY96y8gIMkYxByE-5Qf1ZaVCu1KLTO4upyfa_nDliEH0GqrYj41ydmYjgpFv3vdXggQJiq1_r8V6gysq9A4QsOVCZnwxttzQ/s200/thuraya-position.jpg" alt="thuraya locaton service" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293463952564105858" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Uniquely, every satellite phone developed for the Thuraya network contains an embedded GPS positioning system, and this is used - when initiated by the user - to report the handset's position to the Thuraya location service servers.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>ThurayaAssist<sup>TM</sup></strong> caters to corporate clients, NGOs and government organizations and is a fully manned and managed emergency position and response service available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.With one call to the global control center, advice and assistance is initiated from specially trained security specialists, who are able to view the user's location from within 10 meters, anywhere on earth. Consequently, routine position reports and emergency SMS messages can be relayed up to ten email addresses and mobile phone numbers of family, friends and loved ones to know where users of ThurayaAssist<sup>TM</sup> are. Additionally, tailored security information and pre-trip briefings for all countries is provided with unlimited usage to members of the new service. ThurayaAssist<sup>TM</sup> is provided at a subscription cost of just $249.99 a year per handset.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>ThurayaRelay<sup>TM</sup></strong> is a service also for corporate clients, NGOs and government organisations that wish to have the relaying of routine and emergency position reports, but who wish to manage the response centre themselves. A full range of country and region security information continues to be available via access through the website. The cost for ThurayaRelay<sup>TM</sup> is $149.99 a year per handset.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Both services are only available on customer's demand and can be subscribed to online by logging onto <a href="http://www.thurayalocate.com/">ThurayaLocate</a>, <a href="http://www.thurayaassist.com/">ThurayaAssist</a> and <a href="http://www.thurayarelay.com/">ThurayaRelay</a> web sites. Moreover, subscribers can message Geonix on a specialised Thuraya number or contact Geonix directly. Alternatively, they can demand the service from their Thuraya SP. ThurayaAssist and ThurayaRelay are unique services that preserve the privacy rights of all users.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-83980221339143968742008-10-23T21:23:00.000-07:002009-02-13T08:19:27.159-08:00New Iridium Satellite Phone - 9555<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6X6itxonIsT9Tndgr4sibny5F9Jvt7cQPTViTsdBAbWcjqk7T3QZX0SXQyEiKutyKTd0yU-o6wGLib5jM377zG1grLoZY8ZjFLQCZyrBCPf2jf-el86wtHSMRDRXSN-UrwuNwA/s1600-h/iridium-9555-776912.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6X6itxonIsT9Tndgr4sibny5F9Jvt7cQPTViTsdBAbWcjqk7T3QZX0SXQyEiKutyKTd0yU-o6wGLib5jM377zG1grLoZY8ZjFLQCZyrBCPf2jf-el86wtHSMRDRXSN-UrwuNwA/s320/iridium-9555-776912.jpg" alt="new iridium 9555 satellite phone" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260571194824946322" border="0" /></a></p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Iridium's latest satellite phone - <a title="the smallest iridium handset 9555" href="http://www.highspeedsat.com/iridium-9555.php">the Iridium 9555</a> - is a vast departure from most existing "brick" satellite phones and appears well on its way to looking like a cell phone. With its hand-friendly form factor and bright screen, the 9555 is expected to find a large audience among first responders and public-safety users.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The handset was introduced at this week's Iridium Partner Conference and is expected to be available for customers next month. With its hand-friendly form factor and bright screen, the 9555 is expected to find a large audience among first responders and public-safety users. The phone has a mini USB port and features e-mail capability.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Iridium phones are the only handsets that can be used in absolutely any location, in any condition, instead of cellular, landline, or radio services that can become inoperable when towers go down or telecommunications infrastructure is compromised. The 9555 is the phone that first responders will want to have on hand for backup emergency communications in case of natural or man-made disasters.</span></p><div align="center"><object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V-IDQl0rAeU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V-IDQl0rAeU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">While still expensive by cell phone standards, the 9555, along with new calling plans, is expected to bring the phone into the affordability range of more U.S. rural users, who can't get traditional cell phone service. A refurbished Iridium phone can cost less than $1,000, while some corporate calling plans enable users to call for as little as 15 cents a minute, although typical calls range from 99 cents to $1.49 a minute.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-52668010598526172672008-08-30T21:54:00.000-07:002008-10-24T15:39:51.851-07:00Thuraya picks three service providers<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mbzq0hYg091PX5EKpD-eeSToRbHLiUogMFBR4jVr072cDs7SWtfaqMxcD2aRlu78MGfmMLPZd93LZYFBhINCG7u4m7-xcBmvle_nXRK2bd41AyOxOPh1HEy0iTD6KJupRlHvhA/s1600-h/thuraya-phones-new-generation-777035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 0px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mbzq0hYg091PX5EKpD-eeSToRbHLiUogMFBR4jVr072cDs7SWtfaqMxcD2aRlu78MGfmMLPZd93LZYFBhINCG7u4m7-xcBmvle_nXRK2bd41AyOxOPh1HEy0iTD6KJupRlHvhA/s320/thuraya-phones-new-generation-777035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240539895716959826" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thuraya, one of the leading satellite telecom companies, has tied up with three service providers in the Asia Pacific region. The company had recently started coverage in the Asia Pacific region. It provides cost-effective mobile hand-held telephony, rural telephony, broadband, maritime and fleet management solutions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">These partnerships, which further widen Thuraya's distribution platform, are aimed at promoting and selling the diverse portfolio of Thuraya communication products in the region. Asia Pacific has multiple purposes for satellite communications such as oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime sectors and emergency relief during disasters</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The first agreement was for the appointment of <B>Hong Kong Satellite Communication International Ltd</B> (HKSCI) as an international service provider (ISP). HKSCI has a history of specializing in <B>satellite terminals</B> and will be responsible for the distribution of Thuraya handheld telephony and ThurayaDSL, and the agreement ensures easier access to Thuraya’s voice and broadband services.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The second agreement was for the appointment of a national service provider, and signed with <B>Japan Digital Communications</B>, a satellite solution provider in Japan which will also be marketing <B>Thuraya’s SO-2510</B>, (weighing only 130 g/4.5 ounces and measuring 118 x 53 x 18.8 mm), also known as the <B>world’s smallest satellite phone</B>, and <B>Thuraya’s SG-2520</B>, the <B>world’s smartest satellite handheld phone</B>. Users of the SG-2520 can use both GSM and satellite networks allowing ubiquitous coverage at all times.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The third agreement was signed with <B>AA Techneq (M) Sdn. Bhd.</B>, a company wiwth a long track record in the <B>Malaysian Mobile Satellite Services</B> market. They will be a National Service Provider marketing the full range of Thuraya products except for the maritime solution. AA Techneq is established in the various vertical market segments that require mobile satellite solutions in Malaysia.</p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-51916493711107295032008-07-30T18:43:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:54:31.679-08:00Pivotel Asset Tracking Services on Globalstar Network<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M362EtgMjdMLKATwRIN7Nf430oVXEXXiKgjGH19rK31qSLntEUe2oo2nLd1MBhoRwIvoHhNdvA3Enkc8H6cDKa6seAcqHuxPY5tQlamVKG5lWtaPbpYBHotnAJ7Gyok3Li7xeQ/s1600-h/asset-tracking-743970.gif"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M362EtgMjdMLKATwRIN7Nf430oVXEXXiKgjGH19rK31qSLntEUe2oo2nLd1MBhoRwIvoHhNdvA3Enkc8H6cDKa6seAcqHuxPY5tQlamVKG5lWtaPbpYBHotnAJ7Gyok3Li7xeQ/s320/asset-tracking-743970.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228988010355163106" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pivotel offers supply and installation services for a range of asset tracking systems suitable for monitoring mobile assets. TracerTrak is an innovative asset tracking product supplied by Pivotel. The TracerTrak systems can be used for tracking fleet trucks and vehicles. Pivotel provides reliable and cost effective supply, installation and support services for a range of asset tracking systems and accessories. The satellite tracking unit of the asset tracking system can be attached to mobile assets. The self contained tracking systems sends security alarm signals to the Globalstar satellite network.</span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The remote monitoring systems provided by Pivotel can be accessed through satellite phones. The TracerTrak asset tracking system comes with an easy to use interface. Other satellite communication products distributed by Pivotel include data modems, satellite communication units, data enabled mobiles, and data kits. The GSP 1600 model of handsets supplied by Pivotel come with built in data modems. The GSP 1600 handsets have three way calling, call hold, auto-answer and caller waiting features. Pivotel offers efficient support services to its clients with telecommunication needs.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The data kits supplied by Pivotel can be used with GSP1600 model of handsets. The data kits provide internet access to the handsets.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30505524.post-63039824912324483842008-07-19T08:17:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:54:32.014-08:00Thuraya Launches ThurayaIP Terminal<br><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedAymDMRMCCXeoKanGDwHOgswDkv41ZWJTkJjEFEq-64UJB2dWobUhIGjsywqjsyVvxXglPaAhy9D5C0byYoeygMQ9C-7uPMLDQavuwj6M62iOFSyqLVrxkfRGpU_zvBqRVtgXA/s1600-h/thurayaip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedAymDMRMCCXeoKanGDwHOgswDkv41ZWJTkJjEFEq-64UJB2dWobUhIGjsywqjsyVvxXglPaAhy9D5C0byYoeygMQ9C-7uPMLDQavuwj6M62iOFSyqLVrxkfRGpU_zvBqRVtgXA/s320/thurayaip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225159989866964274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thuraya</span> is launching a new small (A-5 sized) broadband terminal with advanced video streaming capability. The terminal, developed by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hughes Network Systems LLC</span>, has a built-in antenna and provides a rapid maximum reception speed of 444 kilobits per second (Kbps) and a maximum transmission speed of 202 Kbps. The terminal video streaming using dedicated channels at a speed of 384 Kbps. The new terminal, among the smallest in the satellite broadband category, is highly efficient for its size in terms of speed offering and video streaming capability.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="story"><span style="font-size:85%;">The <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ThurayaIP</span> service is offered in various monthly fee packages with limited and unlimited usages, depending on customer needs. The product is aimed at key market segments such as oil and gas, NGOs, government, coastguards, maritime, media (SNG), transport and business continuity purposes. Thuraya has already signed specialized Service Providers in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe to promote and distribute the new product, which is currently available through the company's distribution channels. Separately, Thuraya has selected NSSL as a tier one provider of ThurayaIP services, which expands on NSSL’s service agreement to supply handsets and ThurayaIP terminals. Prior to this agreement, NSSL purchased airtime and equipment from other third parties. The new deal gives NSSL full access to all of Thuraya’s products and services, enabling the company to offer these products to its resellers.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2