Inmarsat is gearing up to launch its third Global Xpress (GX) satellite, achieving global coverage for its global satellite-based mobile broadband service.
The Inmarsat-5 F3 satellite has arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in anticipation of a launch later this month, the company revealed.
When combined with the in-orbit I-5 F1 and F2 satellites, Inmarsat will be able to provide global coverage for the Global Xpress high-speed mobile broadband service.
Global Xpress is designed to provide broadband speeds up to 100 times faster than over Inmarsat's existing I-4 constellation.
The service will be targeted at users in government, maritime, aviation, enterprise and other sectors looking to enhance connectivity even in remote and inaccessible regions.
“We are approaching the completion of our GX constellation and the arrival of Inmarsat-5 F3 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome is another significant milestone,” Inmarsat CTO Michele Franci commented.
“This project... will bring to life the prospect of the Internet of Everywhere. For the first time, we will be able to deliver seamless, superfast broadband communications across the globe – on land, sea and in the air - from one single operator.”
Inmarsat launched its first Global Xpress satellite in December 2013, and commercially launched services over the craft in July 2014. The I-F F2 launched in February this year.
Each satellite in the initial GX fleet has 89 beams and a design life of 15 years. They were built by Boeing Satellite Systems International.