Inmarsat Introduces Data Capability for IsatPhone Pro

WASHINGTON, DC, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Handheld Satellite Phone Offers up to 20kbps Data Globally

Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced the availability of a data service on its global handheld satellite phone, IsatPhone Pro.

The new circuit-switched data capability, offering an effective data rate of up to 20kbps, will be provided in the next firmware upgrade to the handset on 31st March 2011.

"IsatPhone Pro is ideally suited for use as a data service," said Drew Brandy, Director of Land Services at Inmarsat. "The handset design means the IsatPhone Pro can be simply placed on its side with the antenna deployed for connection to the satellite while a micro USB cable connects it to a laptop. And the Inmarsat-4 satellites on which the service runs are, of course, designed specifically to handle data communications.

"We are very pleased with the performance of IsatPhone Pro's data capability. It is proving to be very robust whether using generic or customised applications. In testing we have actually exceeded 20kbps throughput with plain text email on several occasions. It's ideal for those people wanting to access emails, jpegs, documents or PDFs," he said.

In addition to the data capability, the next firmware upgrade for IsatPhone Pro will feature a number of service enhancements.

"IsatPhone Pro has achieved a great deal since it was launched barely nine months ago: winning an award for innovation, gathering fantastic reviews and being used in every single country in which satellite communications is authorised," said Drew. "But, as today's announcement shows, we don't stop looking for ways to enhance the service for our end users. We expect this new data capability to be very well received."

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) 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. The company's services are delivered through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service providers operating in 100 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2010, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1 million) with an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million). For more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.