NETWORKS





	Satellite Networks are available for access to reliable, easy to use communications links, for voyages, explorations or wilderness treks. They allow one to operate a business office while at sea or from wilderness areas not served by public telephone and data systems. Satellite systems (Satcoms) designed for the marine environment have seen significant advances since their inception twenty years ago, providing voice, telex, fax and data services to and from a vessel as easily as from a home or office telephone. There are several satcom standards for equipment and service that have been developed over the past 15 years and which are available and in use for various classes of service. With the newer digital systems it is possible to provide communications systems in a new class of smaller more compact equipment, sized for fitting on small vessels and in highly portable configurations. All are at lower cost both for the hardware and the service.

Inmarsat

INMARSAT LTD. provides communications around the clock for vessels of all sizes voyaging in all oceans of the globe.

Inmarsat - A

Inmarsat-A Voice, fax and data services are available for this system, including multiple channel operation and switched data up to 64Kbit/s.

Inmarsat - B

Inmarsat-B the digital successor to Inmarsat-A, conserves satellite bandwidth and power which results in additional capacity and lower charges for the second generation of Inmarsat satellites. 64 Kbit/s data rate using data compression techniques.

Inmarsat - C

Inmarsat-C was developed as a low cost satcom suitable for fitting on a vessel of any size, large or small. Its size and weight, slightly larger than a car radio with a small omnidirectional antenna, made it especially suitable for small yachts and fishing vessels that were too small for the large Inmarsat A, or as of late, B, installation.

Inmarsat - M

Inmarsat-M was introduced to complement the existing global services with a vessel satcom that would provided voice as well as fax and data.

Inmarsat Mini-M

Inmarsat Mini-M is the latest and smallest system introduced in 1997. It provides the capability for voice, fax and data service at 2.4Kbit/s at reduced service cost.

LEO - Low Elliptical Orbiting Satellite Sytems

Low elliptical orbiting (LEO) satellite systems introduced the end of 1998 provide small hand-held voice and messaging communicators. These devices are useful globally in remote areas, beyond public phone and cellular service.

Msat Regional

Msat is a satellite network jointly owned by two North American public corporations. TMI is the Canadian partner and AMSC the U.S. Like Inmarsat, the Msat 1 satellite is GEO over the equator at 106.5° West and uses similar over lapping spot beam technology focused on North and Central America, with a separate beam for coverage of Hawaii.