16th Jul 2007 10:51
Inmarsat PLC16 July 2007 INMARSAT LAUNCHES NEW SATELLITE PHONE SERVICES 16th July 2007 - Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobilesatellite communications, has announced the commercial availability of its newrange of low-cost satellite phone services. From today, Inmarsat is offering the new handheld IsatPhone service and thefixed LandPhone service through eight distribution partners. IsatPhone, which isthe first handheld satellite phone in the Inmarsat portfolio, is a dual-modesatellite/GSM phone that is targeted at business and personal users who travelor work in areas where local telephone networks are unreliable or non-existent. The IsatPhone handset is lightweight and pocket-sized, and has a rugged designto cope with demanding environments. The service comes with additional featuressuch as call hold/waiting, call forwarding, conference calls for up to fiveparticipants and, in GSM mode, SMS. The handsets are expected to retail ataround $500, with voice call charges expected to cost less than $1 per minute. LandPhone, a fixed satellite phone service, is designed for use as an officephone, temporary fixed phone or payphone in remote areas. Also with a robustdesign, the LandPhone is ideal for multi-user communities, and can be easilytransported and set up indoors or in outdoor spaces. The portfolio of satellite phone services will be completed in early Q4 2007with the launch of FleetPhone, Inmarsat's new maritime satellite phone. Initially available across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the satellite phoneservices will be rolled-out globally - following an extensive network andterminal modernisation and development programme - towards the end of 2008. - more - "The launch of a new handheld satellite phone is an important move for Inmarsat,and is a strong complementary fit with our existing portfolio," said MichaelButler, President and Chief Operating Officer at Inmarsat. "We have entered themarket at an opportune time. We have a compelling customer proposition, with theright balance of form, functionality and cost, and with the support ofdistribution partners in every market in the service footprint. Users ofsatellite phones will be able to experience the reliability and quality ofservice that has been our hallmark for the last 28 years. We intend to shake upthe mobile satellite phone market and win market share." "With IsatPhone, and together with the LandPhone and FleetPhone services,Inmarsat can now offer a one-stop shop for all mobile satellite communicationsneeds, from mobile voice to broadband data," he said. IsatPhone and LandPhone will initially be available from eight Inmarsatdistribution partners: ACeS, Chinasat, Evosat, Fono, MCN, MVS, Satcom Global andStratos. Inmarsat also recently announced the appointment of Axiom Telecom asthe logistics and servicing partner for the new satellite phone services. - ends - Forward-looking StatementsCertain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements"within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factorsthat may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industryresults, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-lookingstatements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions;changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementationand performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services underthem; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers;competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely onthese forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of thisannouncement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-lookingstatement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events,conditions or circumstances. About InmarsatInmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellitecommunications. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice andhigh-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and otherorganisations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or inthe air. The company's services are delivered through a global network of morethan 500 distribution partners and service providers operating in 180 countries.For the year ended 31 December 2006, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 500.1million. More information can be found at www.inmarsat.com. For more information, please contact:John WarehandInmarsatTel: +44 20 7728 1579Mob: +44 7739 778 128Email: [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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