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Inmarsat is pleased to announce the entry into service of the new
I-4
Americas satellite, providing mobile voice and broadband data coverage for North
and South America.
BGAN traffic was successfully transferred from the I-4 F2 satellite at about
09:00 UTC, 7 January 2009.
The start of commercial service on the satellite, formerly known as
I-4
F3, marks the creation of a new Inmarsat satellite coverage region, called “I-4
Americas”.
Optimal data connectivity
The I-4 Americas spacecraft is
positioned more directly over the region than the I-4 F2. This makes it easier
to point a BGAN terminal at the satellite and, coupled with a higher
concentration of spot beams over the landmass, provides optimal data
connectivity.
Also, for the first time, BGAN network coverage will be extended to include
parts of Western Canada and Alaska.
BGAN users in North and South America now need to re-point their terminals
from the I-4 F2 satellite at 53 degrees West to the new I-4 Americas satellite
located on the Equator at 98 degrees West, directly south of central Texas and
west of Islas Galapagos.
Graphical guide
The new version of BGAN LaunchPad
provides a graphical guide to locating the I-4 Americas satellite.
However, a few older BGAN terminals may require a firmware upgrade to
function on the new satellite. End-users should contact their equipment supplier
if unsure.
The land-mobile Inmarsat GAN and Mini M services are now operating via the
Inmarsat-3 F4 satellite at 53 degrees West. Users should continue to point their
antennas at the same in-orbit location as before.
Coverage maps
Further information about the coverage
provided by the new I-4 Americas satellite, including coverage maps and the new
version of BGAN LaunchPad, can be found in the Support section of the Inmarsat
website. | 
Mobile Satellite Industry News