Enhancements to Inmarsat C data reporting and polling

26-05-2005 - Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has announced two new enhancements to the Inmarsat C service that will further improve its data reporting and polling capabilities.

In response to the increasing use of the service for tracking and positioning purposes, Inmarsat C now offers a secure retransmission protocol. If an acknowledgement confirming successful delivery of a data report is not received, the service will automatically re-transmit the data report.

The data reporting functionality of Inmarsat C is used extensively by fishing authorities around the world, who rely on the service to support their statutory management of fishing activities through Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS).  VMS allows authorities to manage fish stocks by monitoring the way in which fishing is conducted, enabling quota management and the prevention of illegal fishing activities.

Commercial shipping companies are also extensive users of the capability for monitoring the positions of their fleet, and the use of data reporting is expected to increase further when the International Maritime Organisation implements its Long-range Identification & Tracking (LRIT) regulations.

"Inmarsat remains at the forefront of vessel reporting, and this enhancement will be welcomed by regulators, fishing authorities and shipping companies," said Marian Parker, business development manager at Inmarsat.  "We have been closely involved in the LRIT discussions from the beginning, and anticipate increased demand for tracking and positioning services. By acting quickly to develop this improvement, we expect to build further confidence in a service that is already trusted by thousands of users around the world".

Inmarsat has also announced an enhancement to the polling capability of Inmarsat C, for use in the global tracking of vessels.  A new multi-ocean region polling facility will allow downloading, programming and deletion of Data Network Identifiers (DNIDs) irrespective of the ocean region in which the vessel is located.  Previously, vessels had to be located in the relevant ocean region to access the appropriate DNID.

"The majority of existing Inmarsat C and mini-C products will be able to accommodate the multi-ocean region polling as soon as it is available," said Marian.  "It will be a huge benefit for vessel tracking authorities and for commercial fleet tracking.  The administration of the tracking service will also be much quicker and easier to manage. We expect that the simplified functionality will greatly improve ship safety, reporting and security tracking."

The enhanced data reporting will be available from 1 June 2005 and the multi-ocean region polling from 30 June 2005.  For information on how to access these enhancements, users should contact their LESO, manufacturer, or Inmarsat customer services on +44 20 7728 1777.

Forward-looking Statements
Certain 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 factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel.  You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.