Mobile Satellite Industry News

I would like to advise all partners that JRC has recommended that their FleetBroadband JUE250 mobile terminals requiring full global coverage should be upgraded to version 01.06 before the initial deployment of the I-4 EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) satellite on 2 February 2009.

Why is the upgrade required?

Inmarsat is repositioning two satellites in the Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellite constellation to optimise the network in readiness for the introduction of global broadband coverage.  This repositioning process takes place from 7 January to 24 February 2009.

The previous JUE-250 software version (1.04) will enable the terminal to access the new I-4 Americas satellite at 98 degrees West, but not to access the repositioned I-4 EMEA (formerly I-4 F2) and I-4 Asia-Pacific (formerly 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 users and service providers to download the software for upgrading to version 01.06 to access the full global FleetBroadband service.

When is the upgrade required?

Before 2 February 2009 – the date the I-4 F2 (I-4 EMEA) satellite arrives at 25 degrees East and begins operating in the outage area in the Eastern Atlantic only.

Full coverage across the new I-4 EMEA satellite region begins on 6 February, when FleetBroadband traffic in the Indian Ocean Region is transferred from the I-4 F3 satellite to I-4 EMEA and the second planned I-4 service outage in parts of the Asia-Pacific region starts.

Changes from JRC FleetBroadband software version 01.04 to 01.06

In addition to support for the repositioned I-4 constellation, the following features will also be provided:

* Correction of satellite map management (location, frequencies and coverage area) for satellite repositioning

* User-selectable enable or disable DHCP and configurable IP address

* Support for the USIM PIN function

* Improved communications stability in case of blockage by shadowing, and

* Reduced echo on voice phone calls

Further details will be provided in release note documentation distributed with the software.

Obtaining the software

The JRC FB250 terminal JUE-250 new software version 01.06 will be downloadable from the Inmarsat support Website from mid-January.

Before this time, users are advised to approach their Inmarsat service provider for upgrade support.

The new terminal software can also be downloaded using the LaunchPad update feature. However, it should be noted that if the software is downloaded over the air, it will add cost to users' airtime bills. The file size will be about 5MB.

In addition, CDs containing the new software will be available on request after mid-January at:

JRC Europe

Tel: +31 20 658 0750

Fax: +31 20 658 0755

Email: service@jrceurope.com

JRC America

Tel: +1 206 654 5644

Fax: +1 206 654 7030

Email: marineservice@jrcamerica.com

Customer queries relating to the terminal or software should be addressed to the JRC contacts above.