FleetBroadband 150
Inmarsat FleetBroadband 150 is about to be released for public consumption. I think this is a very exciting development, and will find a large market, especially amongst the over 50k current Inmarsat Mini-M users. The equipment pricing is about the same as the older Mini-M equipment, but offers a world of differences when it comes to what the service offers.
According to Thrane and Thrane: "FleetBroadband features the smallest, lightest FleetBroadband antenna to date, which enables simple user-installation, so smaller professional vessels and larger yachts with a requirement for reliable, high quality global internet and voice communication can enter the broadband era with a true IP solution for the first time."
It offers simultaneous voice and data, IP connection for e-mail and internet/intranet access, 150kbs both directions, and digital satellite phone service with exceptional call quality. Last Week, I was honored to have been invited to the official Inmarsat Launch of FleetBroadband 150 in Miami.
Last Week, I was honored to have been invited to the official Inmarsat Launch of FleetBroadband 150. Both Addvalue and Thrane and Thrane had equipment on hand. Have to say I was quite impressed with the size of the dome. The Sailor 150 is only 12" diameter x 10" high. The Addvalue 150 dome is slightly smaller.
While equipment will not ship until "June sometime", hands on demonstrations were given.
I told the Addvalue engineer that the handset volume was very low, and that they really need to increase the ringer volume, especially to accommodate the sometimes very noisy environments on some of the tugs and work vessels. A couple of days later at an Inmarsat gathering, the engineer came to me with a large grin, and said that they had obliged that request.
We hope to have a demo unit very soon.
Equipment pricing is already available, and Delta Wave will be offering an introductory price for both. (Addvalue 150 will go for $4,395.00, while the Thrane unit is $4,995.00.)
Additional information can be gathered at: Delta Wave Communications Web Site
Below are some pictures I took of the antenna units:
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Inmarsat Partners Conference Miami
Have been in Miami for the last several days for an Inmarsat Partners Conference. It has been quite interesting indeedWhile there have been some interesting developments in the industry, the highlite of this show has been the FB150 Launch.
Equipment is expected to become available commercially around the end of June, and is still considered to be in Beta Test mode
Two manufacturers will offer equipment - Addvalue, and Thrane and Thrane. (We might have an Addvalue FB150 for beta test.)
Equipment pricing should be released soon, and is expected to be in the $5-6000 range, with usage pricing the same as the current FB pricing.
We feel that this will be a vialble alternative to Iridium OpenPort, in form factor, as well as competetive usage pricing.
I did take a few pictures of both units....
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