 12.10.07 Inmarsat A Closure Marks End of an Era The curtain closes on a momentous era in maritime communications when the Inmarsat A service is switched off at 23:59 GMT on 31 December. Inmarsat and its partners have been working over the past five years to get the closure message across to the analogue service maritime and land terminal users, giving them ample time to migrate to our more compact and powerful digital services. "Inmarsat's reliable safety services continue to be provided through Inmarsat B, Inmarsat C and Mini C, and on Fleet 77." says Brian Mullan, Inmarsat's head of maritime safety services. The service was launched in 1976 by Comsat of the United States, when it was known as the Marisat system. It then became Standard-A after the newly created Inmarsat adopted the system in 1982, before assuming its current title in the 1990s. Two suitcases The system offered two-way direct-dial phone, fax, telex, email and data communications at rates up to 9.6kbs, and ultimately was capable of up to 64kbps. It was also developed as a vehicular and land-mobile service. The transportable terminals could be packed in one or two suitcase-sized carrying cases, with a foldaway parabolic antenna measuring about a metre in diameter. In all, they weighed between 20kg and 50kg, compared with a modern BGAN unit at 1.4kg to 2.8kg. More powerful But now Inmarsat's more powerful, compact (at about one tenth of the antenna size) and capable digital services have far outstripped the original service. Kyle Hurst, Inmarsat maritime market manager, said: "For 25 years, the Inmarsat A service has been providing global maritime communications to seafarers all over the world. It was the first global safety system and throughout its time has saved the lives of many a grateful seafarer." ----------------------------***--------------------- For more information on Inmarsat newest FleetBroadband system and airtime plans, please contact Mackay Communications Marine Sales at (281) 479-1515 or e-mail us at mackaynews@mackaycomm.com |
