LONDON, June 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
- Pioneering Global Satellite Network and Services Earns Inmarsat Britain's Most Prestigious Award for Engineering Innovation
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announced today that it has won the 41st annual Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, Britain's biggest prize for engineering innovation.
The award was made for Inmarsat's groundbreaking Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN), a mobile satellite communications service. Academy President Lord Browne of Madingley presented the Inmarsat team with a GBP50,000 prize and the solid gold MacRobert Award medal at the Academy Awards Dinner at London's Guildhall held last night (7 June).
The BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) family of services provides internet data connectivity anywhere on land, sea and air. It is widely used for remote, mobile communications for business, government, broadcasters, aid and relief agencies, and emergency services. On 20 January 2010, just days after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Inmarsat's mobile satellite communications services were being deployed to support emergency relief efforts in the region by providing essential communications services. After the initial emergency response, the service allowed the local population to call family and loved ones.
Dr Geoff Robinson, chairman of the MacRobert Award Judging Panel, said: "The Inmarsat team had the vision to see the demand for a global broadband service, and the courage to invest significant time and money in developing it. They had to overcome formidable engineering challenges to reach their objective. That their service can deliver such tremendous humanitarian benefits, in addition to the technical and commercial ones, must be a source of great satisfaction to this outstanding team."
Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman and CEO Inmarsat, added: "The RAE's MacRobert award recognises the pinnacle of UK engineering achievement. For us to be a finalist was a great honour. And for Inmarsat to receive the MacRobert Gold Medal is the ultimate accolade to a gifted and highly skilled team. Inmarsat can be rightly proud of its engineering delivery. We congratulate Gene Jilg and his team for applying the vision and practicality to deliver BGAN to the world."
Inmarsat's team members sharing the prize included: Chief Technology Officer, Eugene Jilg; Chief Scientist, Marcus Vilaca, Director, Space Segment Engineering, Franco Carnevale and Director, System Network Engineering, Alan Howell, all based at Inmarsat in London.
Notes to editor
1. First presented in 1969, the MacRobert Award honours the winning company with a gold medal and up to five team members with a tax-free prize of GBP50,000 between them. http://www.raeng.org.uk/prizes/macrobert
2. Founded by the MacRobert Trusts, the Award is now presented by the Academy after a prize fund was established with donations from the MacRobert Trusts, the Academy and British industry.
3. Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineering promotes the engineering and technological welfare of the country. Our fellowship - comprising the UK's most eminent engineers - provides the leadership and expertise for our activities, which focus on the relationships between engineering, technology, and the quality of life. As a national academy, we provide independent and impartial advice to Government; work to secure the next generation of engineers; and provide a voice for Britain's engineering community.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. The company's services are delivered through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service providers operating in 100 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2009, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,038.1 million (2008: US$996.7 million) with an EBITDA of US$594.2 million (2008: US$531.2 million). For more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.
SOURCE Inmarsat plc
Share this article