In Wake Of Hurricanes, Inmarsat Pitches New Satellite Service

Noting that increased availability of satellite bandwidth will aid public safety and Homeland Security providers, Inmarsat has petitioned the FCC to permit the satellite firm to provide Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) in the 2 GHz band.

Announced late Tuesday, Inmarsat said it plans to utilize a spacecraft for the service by 2010 to provide global voice, data and multimedia MSS offerings in an offering that would also establish a communications network in times of crisis.

“The devastating effects of the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes have demonstrated the need for interoperable communications services for emergency responders and political officials,” said Andy Sukawaty, Inmarsat CEO, in a statement.

“The 2 GHz band is uniquely suited to support broadband and multimedia MSS services and the development of an integrated, interoperable satellite/terrestrial network that can provide uninterrupted, high quality communications service in a time of crisis.”

Some satellite connections continued to operate during the recent hurricanes after landline and cell phone services were knocked out.Noting that it is a new entrant seeking a position in the 2 GHz band, Inmarsat said six of the eight companies who were awarded space in the band in 2001 have since forfeited their authorization.

Inmarsat operates a global fleet of MSS satellites and is finishing its $1.5 billion Inmarsat-4 satellite network project for the 2 GHz band. The firm said it is working with “leading technology” partners to develop the system and observed that it has been providing communications support for government, military and public safety units for more than 20 years.