Thrane & Thrane Signs up as Inmarsat Global Xpress(TM) Launch Manufacturer

LONDON, September 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

New Inmarsat service to launch with leading FleetBroadband terminal manufacturer on board

An agreement signed today September 22^nd positions Thrane & Thrane, the leading Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminal developer, as a key launch manufacturer for the forthcoming Inmarsat Global Xpress service. With Thrane & Thrane on board, Inmarsat Global Xpress expects to go live in 2013 with brand-new SAILOR terminals designed specifically for use with this revolutionary new maritime Ka-band service.

"We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Thrane & Thrane as it means our maritime customers will have a wider choice of terminals for our super-fast broadband network," comments Frank Coles, Senior Director - Maritime, Global Xpress. "SAILOR terminals have proven the most popular for all recent Inmarsat maritime services and this makes us confident that Thrane & Thrane's partnership will be a very positive asset as we gear up for the launch of Global Xpress."

The introduction of state-of-the-art Global Xpress terminals will expand an already diverse portfolio.  Thrane & Thrane has shipped more than 20,000 SAILOR FleetBroadband terminals since the launch of Inmarsat's current flagship service in November 2007, and late September 2011 the company expects to announce the commercial availability of its new SAILOR 900 VSAT antenna.

As a Global Xpress launch manufacturer, Thrane & Thrane is uniquely positioned to offer high quality L-band/Ka-band combination packages in line with Inmarsat's expectations, as well as provide Global Xpress terminals to shipping companies and offshore operators that already understand and recognise the SAILOR design and build quality.  

"The higher data speeds and compact terminals mark Global Xpress as an important development in the world of maritime communications," says Casper Jensen, VP, Maritime Business Unit, Thrane & Thrane. "We are keen to use the knowledge and experience we have acquired as a long-standing Inmarsat manufacturer to ensure the new SAILOR terminals capture the promised speed, reliability and flexibility of the forthcoming new service."

About Thrane & Thrane

Thrane & Thrane is the world's leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for global mobile radio and satellite communication. Since its incorporation in 1981, the company has established a strong position within global mobile communication solutions based on the Inmarsat system and today, Thrane & Thrane provides equipment for use on land, at sea and in the air. The company's communication products are sold throughout the world under the brands Thrane & Thrane, EXPLORER® SAILOR® and AVIATOR through distributors and partners. Thrane & Thrane is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen (symbol: THRAN).   http://www.thrane.com.

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 2010, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1 million) with an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million).  For more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.

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SOURCE Inmarsat plc