Imtech Marine appointed as VAR for Inmarsat Global Xpress
Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has signed an agreement with Imtech Marine, appointing the full-service provider and systems integrator as a Value Added Reseller (VAR) for Global Xpress serving the worldwide maritime market. This follows on from a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two companies in 2012, said in the company's press release.
Imtech Marine is a full service provider with an extensive global connectivity portfolio, which it combines with systems and services to offer ship owners a complete solution.
Frank Coles, President, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “We have worked with Imtech Marine for many years, supporting them and their customers with the leading portfolio of satellite-based communications services. We are delighted to welcome Imtech as the newest VAR for Global Xpress and look forward to working closely with them as we approach the exciting launch of the world’s first globally available Ka-band mobile network.”
Eric van den Adel, Managing Director of Imtech Marine, said: “We are delighted that Imtech Marine is one of the first companies to be playing a role in this pioneering maritime communications development and bringing this unique solution to customers. We have a long-standing relationship with Inmarsat and the combination of Inmarsat Ka-band and L-band services and Imtech Marine’s services and systems portfolio, delivered through our extensive network of 94 offices in 30 countries, will offer customers an unbeatable combination.
"As the ship becomes more like a fully integrated office, Global Xpress – with its superfast broadband capabilities – will be a vital tool. We will add our unique services to this new connectivity network and provide customers with value added services like remote monitoring and maintenance. In this way, we offer customers dedicated, tailored solutions, helping them to lower their total cost of ownership.”
Global Xpress is set to revolutionize broadband services in the maritime market and will be the first to offer global superfast mobile broadband with download speeds of up to 50Mbps through a 60-100cm antenna. The Ka-band network will consistently deliver the fastest speeds through more compact terminals at a lower cost than existing VSAT services, making it accessible to many more vessels. It will offer the global coverage and reliability that Inmarsat is renowned for, with back-up from FleetBroadband for extra resilience in the most challenging environments.
The first of three Global Xpress satellites is launched by the close of 2013 and the full constellation planned for deployment in the course of 2014, with global coverage scheduled for end of that year.
