JRC Fleet Broadband Terminal Update
I would like to advise all partners that JRC has strongly recommended that Fleet Broadband JUE-250 mobile terminals requiring full global coverage should be updated to the new satellite map after the I-4 F2 satellite re-enters service at 25 degrees East on 6 February 2009.
Note: This bulletin supersedes the recent announcement of JRC FleetBroadband terminal software version 01.06, which has been recalled. The current approved terminal software version now reverts to 01.04.
Why is the update required? Inmarsat is repositioning the I-4 F2 and F1 satellites to optimise the network in readiness for the introduction of global FleetBroadband coverage. This repositioning process commenced on 7 January and is due to end on 24 February 2009.
Without the map update the JUE-250 will have access to Inmarsat's new I-4 Americas satellite at 98 degrees West, but NOT to the repositioned I-4 F2 and I-4 F1 satellites in their new locations at 25 degrees East and 143.5 degrees East respectively. This is due to incompatibility of satellite map management (location, frequencies and coverage area).
Therefore JRC strongly recommends that after (and only after) 6 February users and service providers install the JUE-250 Satellite Map Update Tool to enable them to update their terminal with the new satellite map.
When is the update required?
From 6 February 2009, the date the I-4 F2 satellite re-enters commercial service at 25 degrees East. At this point, from 16:00 UTC on 6 February, FleetBroadband traffic in the Indian Ocean Region will transfer from the I-4 F1 to I-4 F2 satellite.
Users in the Indian Ocean Region
For FleetBroadband terminals currently using the I-4 F1 in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the satellite map must be updated after 16:00 UTC on 6 February 2009, after the transfer of traffic has been completed. If the satellite map is updated before this time, user terminals will be unable to communicate in the IOR satellite area.
Users in the Asia-Pacific Region
FleetBroadband users are reminded that the second planned I-4 service outage begins in parts of the Asia-Pacific region from 16:00 UTC on 6 February, while the I-4 F1 moves to 143.5 degrees East. This is currently scheduled to last for 19 days, ending at 18:00 UTC on 24 February.
If a JUE-250 terminal's satellite map is updated before 6 February 2009, it will be unable to communicate with the I-4 F1 in Inmarsat's new Asia-Pacific coverage region after 24 February 2009. In this case, the satellite map must be re-installed after 6 February 2009.
Obtaining the update tool
The JRC FB250 terminal JUE-250 Satellite Map Update Tool is downloadable from the Inmarsat support website at:
For any queries, users are advised to approach their Inmarsat service provider for update support. It should be noted that if the JUE-250 Satellite Map Update Tool is downloaded over the air, it will add cost to users' airtime bills. The file size is around 1.5MB.
Customer queries relating to the terminal or tool should be addressed to the JRC contacts below.
JRC Europe:
Tel: +31 20 658 0750
Fax: +31 20 658 0755
Email:
JRC America:
Tel: +1 206 654 5644
Fax: +1 206 654 7030
Email:
marineservice@jrcamerica.com