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Jul 02, 2009 Inmarsat FB150 goes live FleetBroadband is the only “no risk” option available for smaller vessels London - -Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today confirmed that its new FleetBroadband 150 (FB150) service is now live and passing commercial voice and data traffic on the network.

The global roll-out by FleetBroadband distribution partners is underway, with very positive feedback already. The shipment of hardware conforming to Inmarsat’s rigorous type-approval standards has begun, as manufacturing partners report the need to cancel summer leave to fulfil the order books.

“FB150 is the no-risk option for small vessels considering satellite communications,” said Piers Cunningham, Director of Maritime Business for Inmarsat. “Owners or vessel managers should ask three important questions: How can I be confident that the operator will have a satellite network in place for the next 5 to 10 years? Was the satellite network designed for carrying broadband data? And how proven is the technology?

“Our next-generation Inmarsat-4 satellite network is fully-funded, successfully launched and operational. It will deliver service well into the 2020s. The I-4s and FB150 were designed specifically to handle broadband IP data, as well as high-quality voice and SMS. The FleetBroadband technology has just been proven in the 37,000 nautical mile round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race. Organisers described its performance as flawless. With 3,000 FleetBroadband terminals now commissioned, it is our fastest-growing maritime service.

“FB150 is the Mini-M of the 21st Century, bringing small vessels into the IP data world at an affordable price. We offer the assurances of quality, performance, reliability and longevity across our entire range of maritime services. We believe those assurances are vital for small vessel owners looking at a new satellite communications service.”

FB150 offers a voice connection at landline quality, accessible simultaneously with an internet connection (IP) at 150kbps and simple-to-use SMS. The first manufacturers of FB150 hardware are Thrane & Thrane and AddValue.