Inmarsat, Cisco agree satellite services alliance
October 9, 2012
Global mobile satellite communications services provider Inmarsat and networking giant Cisco have announced the creation of a long-term alliance that will enable Inmarsat to deliver advanced services, from applications to business collaboration and video to multimedia content over Inmarsat’s new, high-throughput satellite broadband network, Global Xpress (GX).
Cisco will provide Inmarsat with a state-of-the-art satellite applications service delivery platform and a high performance access network for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress programme, the first global Ka-band (the satellite transmission frequency) network with mobile connectivity. Cisco will also develop a router for satellite network end-users that will utilise not only the Inmarsat GX capabilities but also the current BGAN ( Broadband Global Area Network) global network.
Cisco will build and operate the network on a fully managed basis before transferring it to Inmarsat, and will use its key software stacks of Service Delivery Platform and Prime to enable advanced capabilities such as voice, video, cloud application services and high speed Internet access.
This GX/BGAN integrated platform will allow Inmarsat and its partners rapidly to develop and remotely deploy innovative applications to this new device and will extend the reach of new services across the whole Inmarsat network. Inmarsat will become a Global Partner for Cisco and both companies will bring their combined service capabilities to Inmarsat’s value added resellers around the globe.
Rupert Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, Inmarsat plc , said that offering services beyond pure satellite connectivity was a key aspect of its strategy for the future.
Scheduled for service introduction in 2014, the service delivery platform and satellite network router will leverage Global Xpress and BGAN offering unprecedented data rates and bandwidth, backed by Inmarsat’s quality standards, performance and global reach and providing the same experience as terrestrial broadband. It will be the only hybrid Ka and L-band network designed to provide consistent global coverage.
“The collaboration between Inmarsat and Cisco truly augments Cisco’s vision of any device, anytime, anywhere,” said Rob Lloyd, President, Development and Sales, Cisco. “Imagine watching on demand TV in an aircraft, using TelePresence on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, or accessing cost-effective HD TV broadcasting from any location. We are truly excited about the possibilities this unique alliance creates,” he declared.