Main News Desk

Thales UK delivers mobile satellite broadband

launches partnership with Inmarsat to distribute Broadband Global Area Network service

February 14, 2007

Thales UK has signed an agreement to become a Distribution Partner for Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) mobile satellite broadband service. This will be the first satellite communications service on offer from Thales UK, and will be fully launched to the market in Q2 2007.

BGAN uses portable, lightweight satellite terminals and the advanced Inmarsat-4 satellite network to deliver connectivity. There is no need for specialist technical knowledge – all that’s required is a laptop PC, a BGAN unit and a telephone handset or headset. Connection is provided at speeds of up to 492kbps and supports simultaneous voice calls and data connectivity. Thales will be marketing its BGAN offering under the branding ‘BeSecure,’ ‘BeFree,’ ‘BeGlobal,’ and ‘BeHeard.’

Thales’ agreement with Inmarsat will introduce new service providers to the market and marks the addition of another vital piece to the Thales communications portfolio, according to Simon Tudge, Head of Inmarsat Distribution at Thales UK’s aerospace business. Thales brings proven experience in providing secure, reliable services to customers worldwide combined with a portfolio of enabling technologies to maximise the ease of use and benefits of the basic BGAN proposition.

“BGAN will combine the flexibility of truly global broadband connectivity with the strength of our existing brand and services,” said Tudge. “We will be able to help new service providers offer BGAN, enabling them to expand their existing markets and access new sectors, and thereby growing the market for satellite communications. Customers will have the convenience and security of seeing one more critical element of their communications needs coming under the trusted Thales name.”

“For instances where a mobile or fixed-line connection is either unavailable or insecure, BGAN allows users to create their own private network link via satellite,” added Tudge. “This is crucial in emergency situations when the mobile networks are jammed or damaged, or when corporate sensitivities require independence from fixed networks
or landlines.”

“This is a significant agreement for us, and builds on Thales’ aerospace division’s 20 years of links with Inmarsat. It also underlines our commitment to innovation in the communications products we deliver,” said Richard Deakin, Managing Director at Thales UK’s aerospace business. “Broadband Internet access via a satellite network provides the connectivity expected as standard in an office to people working in the most remote and challenging environments. With BGAN, voice and data can be transmitted securely via the world’s most sophisticated commercial satellites, from and to anywhere in the world, to complete the information picture. BGAN from Thales will be a key step forward for the service provider community and the end user.”

Michael Butler, President and Chief Operating Officer at Inmarsat commented: “Thales brings not only the strength of its brand but also its wide-ranging communications expertise to Inmarsat distribution. As our first global systems integrator distribution partner, Thales will bring top-tier support to service providers, and will extend the advantages of BGAN to a wider audience. With global communications and Internet access now mission-critical for all organisations, true mobile connectivity is now a necessity. Together with Thales, we will meet that need.”

Executive quote

“BGAN will combine the flexibility of truly global broadband connectivity with the strength of our existing brand and services,” said Simon Tudge Head of Inmarsat Distribution at Thales UK’s aerospace business. “We will be able to help new service providers offer BGAN, enabling them to expand their existing markets and access new sectors, and thereby growing the market for satellite communications. Customers will have the convenience and security of seeing one more critical element of their communications needs coming under the trusted Thales name.”

Customer quote

Michael Butler, President and Chief Operating Officer at Inmarsat commented: “Thales brings not only the strength of its brand but also its wide-ranging communications expertise to Inmarsat distribution. As our first global systems integrator distribution partner, Thales will bring top-tier support to service providers, and will extend the advantages of BGAN to a wider audience. With global communications and Internet access now mission-critical for all organisations, true mobile connectivity is now a necessity. Together with Thales, we will meet that need.”

About the company

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales’ leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations.

The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with forecast 2007 revenues in excess of € 12 billion.

Thales UK employs 9,000 staff, based at more than 50 locations in the UK. In 2006 Thales UK's revenues were over £1 billion. At a Group level, Thales employs 70,000 people worldwide in 50 countries and generated revenues of £7 billion in 2006, with a record order book of over £14 billion.

Contact details

Marcel Kay at LEWIS Email: marcelk@ewispr.com Web: www.lewispr.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7802 2626
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7802 2627

For further information contact:
Karen Thomas, Thales UK
Tel. 01293 644772
Mob. 07968 570642
karen.thomas@uk.thalesgroup.com

Bookmarklets:

Recent Press Releases

2010 Archive

2009 Archive

2008 Archive

2007 Archive

Jump to: