The British operator plans to upgrade its Broadband Global Area Network (B-GAN) to be compatible with 3G mobile systems. Inmarsat’s B-GAN service is expected to be available in 2004 following the launch of two new Inmarsat 1-4 satellites in late 2003 and 2004.

Ericsson will supply the equipment to provide call routing and mobility management functionality for B-GAN’s ground stations. These new stations will enable connectivity to the fixed and mobile terrestrial phone and data networks for the voice and data services in conjunction with Inmarsat’s service providers, the company said.

Inmarsat’s B-GAN

• Delivers Internet and intranet content and solutions, video-on-demand, video conferencing, e-mail, LAN access at speeds of 423 Kbits, as well as voice communication
• Includes two new Inmarsat satellites, 1-4, and will be compatible with 3G mobile systems
• Features a range of new terminals, including notebook-sized, pocket-sized and fixed-mounted terminals, designed to take advantage of the narrow spot beams on the new 1-4 satellites

"The benefits to the end user will be the tremendous interoperability between 3G and B-GAN,"

said Michael Butler, managing director of marketing for Inmarsat. "Users will be able to use their standard 3G UMTS SIM cards in a B-GAN terminal and achieve enhanced terrestrial coverage for 3G services. Also B-GAN users will be able to benefit from the applications being developed for 3G networks."