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Inmarsat Signs L-3 Global Communications Solutions As Initial Launch Partner for Global Xpress(R)
[November 07, 2012]

Inmarsat Signs L-3 Global Communications Solutions As Initial Launch Partner for Global Xpress(R)


LONDON, Nov 07, 2012 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) -- LONDON, November 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Inmarsat , the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced it has signed L-3 Global Communications Solutions (GCS) as an initial launch partner for land satellite terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress [http://www.igx.com ](R) service.



L-3 GCS is the leading supplier of VSAT terminals to USSOCOM and other elite military and government users. They bring the field-tested credibility that Global Xpress customers will be looking for when upgrading to Ka-band speed and coverage. By bringing L-3 GCS' Panther(TM) - and Hawkeye(TM)-certified terminals together with Inmarsat's global managed services, customers will realize the value and flexibility of combining national MILSATCOM with on-demand commercial services under any operational scenario.

Scheduled for service introduction in 2014, Global Xpress will offer an unprecedented combination of high data rates, bandwidth and global coverage. Inmarsat's new satellite network aligns with the trend by governments worldwide to shift operations to Ka-band and will provide super-fast uplink and downlink data rates, all backed by Inmarsat quality standards, performance and global reach. Global Xpress is the only global Ka-band system of its kind and will support L-3 GCS customers who have become accustomed to highly transportable, rugged and reliable terminals for all kinds of missions. Inmarsat's ability to bring a history of reliable and trusted end-to-end global connectivity to the VSAT market will be a revolutionary improvement to today's piecemeal approach to satellite communications.


"L-3 GCS is particularly honored to have been selected as a VSAT terminal partner for Global Xpress. Our valued customers will now have access to not only the highest quality, innovative, WGS-capable VSAT terminals, but also to on-demand commercial services with the superior speed and coverage of GlobalXpress," said Bob Jacobson, president of L-3 GCS.

Inmarsat's Global Xpress partner companies will manufacture interoperable maritime, aeronautical and commercial land satellite terminals. Land terminals range from 0.6 to 2.4 meters (in both manual and fully automatic/automatic acquire configurations) for fixed, transportable, 'fly-away' and 'manpack' applications. The range of Global Xpress terminals has been specifically designed for high-performance operation in the Ka-band, utilizing a new Core Module developed by VT iDirect ("iDirect"). Working together, iDirect's Core Module and the partners' terminals will provide state-of-the-art capabilities, fully consistent with the Global Xpress objective of delivering up to 50Mbps downlink speeds with 60cm aperture terminals.

"Inmarsat is pleased to include L-3 GCS as a supplier of Global Xpress-qualified terminals. Government customers have come to rely on Panther and Hawkeye equipment for some of their most critical missions. They will be especially pleased that the outstanding performance and reliability they have come to expect in the field from L-3 GCS terminals will soon support global high-rate secure operations across the Inmarsat Global Xpress network," said Leo Mondale, Managing Director, Global Xpress.

About L3-GCS Located in Victor, N.Y., L-3 GCS is a leading provider of satellite communications (SATCOM) systems that integrate data, broadband Internet, telephony, multimedia, audio, video and computer networking. These rugged, easily deployed systems are utilized by the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, as well as federal agencies and commercial sector customers. To learn more about L-3 GCS, please visit the company's website at http://www.L-3com.com/gcs.

About Inmarsat Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,500 staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. For the year ended 31st December 2011, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,409m and an EBITDA of US$854m. For the six months ended 30 June 2012, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$684m and an EBITDA of US$381m. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange . For more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com [http://www.inmarsat.com/ language=EN&textonly=False ].

CONTACT: Media contact for Inmarsat: Chris McLaughlinVP, External Affairs, Inmarsat, Tel: +44(0)[email protected]; Bell Pottinger for Inmarsat, NevilleRawlings, Tel: +44(0)207-861-2502,[email protected]

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