After a delay of around two years, MSS operator Inmarsat has finally launched its first global handheld satellite phone, the IsatPhone Pro.
The launch means that Inmarsat will now directly compete with Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya in the consumer…
After a delay of around two years, MSS operator Inmarsat has finally launched its first global handheld satellite phone, the IsatPhone Pro.
The launch means that Inmarsat will now directly compete with Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya in the consumer satellite mobile handset sector.
In order to take market share away from these companies, Inmarsat has priced the handset from US$500, lower than its rivals, in particular Iridium, whose strong market position has greatly benefitted both from Inmarsat’s delay and the fact that Globalstar’s existing constellation has suffered serious degradation issues which affected its service. Globalstar begins launching its next generation constellation later this year.
Despite the delayed launch, Inmarsat CEO and chairman Andrew Sukawaty has continued to state that the company expects to take 10% of the satellite handheld market within two years of launch.
Commenting the launch, he said: “With the promotional incentives at launch, our US$500-600 IsatPhone Pro is a ‘game changer’. This phone gives us price and performance leadership for the remote environment market.
“We have today entered the handheld satellite phone market with a global handset. It targets customers served by Inmarsat for decades, both at sea and in the most remote parts of the global landmass. It is supported by our existing satellite network and it uses proven technology customised for use in these environments.”
The handset was developed by Indian firm Sasken Communication Technologies, while Elcoteq is producing the phone at its facility in Tallinn, Estonia. It will use capacity from the three Inmarsat-4 satellites, which have an operational lifetime into the 2020s.
The distribution partners for IsatPhone Pro are AST, China Telecom, Evosat, Korea Telecom, MCN, MVS, Network Innovations, NSSL, RRSat, Satcom Global, Singtel, Stratos and Vizada.