--New version of maritime communications platform enhances data connectivity on handheld satellite phone--

BETHESDA, MD, April 20 /PRNewswire/ - Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced that data service on Inmarsat's popular new IsatPhone Pro handheld satellite phone is now available with Stratos' recently released AmosConnect 8.2 communications application.

IsatPhone Pro's new circuit-switched global data capability of 2.4 kbps enables users to access emails, jpegs, documents or PDFs. The compression capability inherent in AmosConnect 8.2 enables transmission speeds of more than 20 kbps for certain file types.

Since managing the first-ever IsatPhone Pro activation in July 2010, Stratos has activated more than 4,000 of the units for first responders, journalists, oil & gas workers and government officials worldwide who require reliable, high-quality voice connectivity in the most remote locations.

AmosConnect 8.2 was customized with IsatPhone Pro in mind. It enables users to seamlessly integrate email, SMS and interoffice communications into a single messaging system. AmosConnect is one of only two communications applications now accredited by Inmarsat for use with IsatPhone Pro.

In addition to optimizing the performance of IsatPhone Pro, AmosConnect 8.2 enhances broadband IP-based maritime satellite services that include FleetBroadband, Iridium OpenPort and the VSAT solutions OceanVSAT and StratosITek. Integration with these services enables users to control their sessions and ensure optimal airtime use directly from AmosConnect.

The AmosConnect 8.2 portal brings all ship-relevant data to one central information page. The sending of reports and the receipt of weather updates and company news can be achieved within the same interface. With this new version, all service settings are remotely configurable from a central office. This functionality greatly reduces implementation and support time.

New in AmosConnect 8.2 is the ability to automatically register a Basic license, which features one free mailbox. This new feature is extremely powerful in combination with the new IsatPhone Pro data service, as it enables fast and easy deployment of large numbers of field users with voice, SMS and email capabilities.

The integration of AmosConnect 8.2 with IsatPhone Pro exemplifies the benefits that Stratos customers receive from The Stratos Advantage, a wide range of value-added services that ensure optimal communications performance and cost efficiency.

The foundation of The Stratos Advantage is Stratos Dashboard, which enables customers to manage their use of satellite airtime by providing real-time information on voice and data traffic used, with associated costs. Stratos Dashboard further enhances the user experience of IsatPhone Pro by providing instant provisioning, as well as rebilling and reporting options to minimize unexpected invoices and potential financial risk. Stratos Dashboard supports both postpaid and prepaid rate-plan options.

"It is very gratifying to work with our network of more than 400 Channel Partners to bring the reliability and high performance of IsatPhone Pro to more than 4,000 customers worldwide," said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm. "We are confident that our customers will fully utilize the service's new data capabilities. We also know they will appreciate how the integration of IsatPhone Pro with AmosConnect 8.2 enables optimal productivity and safety."

About Inmarsat GSPS from Stratos
Inmarsat's new IsatPhone Pro is the first product in the Inmarsat Global Satellite Phone Services (GSPS) family. Inmarsat GSPS' full global coverage is made possible by the latest-generation Inmarsat-4 (I-4) satellites, which are among the world's largest and most advanced communications satellites. The I-4s were designed with IP communications in mind and are optimized to deliver high-quality and dependable data communications, well into the 2020s.

Inmarsat GSPS from Stratos offers a competitive alternative to the handheld, fixed and maritime phone solutions now available in the marketplace. The services offer high-quality voice and data connectivity via small, affordable equipment - ideal for remote workers in the energy, mining, government, media and first-responder communities. More information is available at www.stratosglobal.com/isatphonepro.

About The Stratos Advantage
Stratos Dashboard is used by many Stratos customers who deploy Inmarsat BGAN, FleetBroadband and SwiftBroadband mobile broadband satellite services. Stratos Dashboard also is widely used worldwide by customers deploying Inmarsat GSPS from Stratos. The Stratos Advantage value-added services provide users with cost control, firewall management, full traffic information, pre-paid facilities, high security options, easy VPN access, messaging services and a full range of IP options. More information on The Stratos Advantage is available at www.stratosglobal.com.

About Stratos
Stratos is the world's trusted leader for vital communications. Stratos offers the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. More than 20,000 customers use Stratos products and industry-leading value-added services to optimize communications performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users on seven continents and across the world's oceans. Stratos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc. For more information, visit www.stratosglobal.com.

SOURCE Stratos Global Corporation