Oufitter Satellite Supplies New Space-Based High Speed Data Solution to Financial Institutions in a Remote Region of Africa

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) June 14, 2003 -- Outfitter Satellite is pleased to announce its participation with France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications in promoting Inmarsat's new Regional Broadband Global Area Network (Regional BGAN) service. Outfitter Satellite is focusing on under supported business and individual users in northern Africa and eastern Europe such as financial institutions operating in remote areas with inadequate redundancy. Regional BGAN fills a previous communication technology gap by providing secure low cost high speed packet data internet access using a small, lightweight portable Satellite IP Modem compatible with the General Packet Radio System (GPRS) standard. The 144 kbit/s shared channel available over Regional BGAN will operate at more than twice the speed of current terrestrial GPRS mobile services. Coverage is already available is 99 countries in northern, central and western Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent with further areas being covered by BGAN later in this decade after additional satellites are launched. Because of its shared bandwidth packet data mechanism, the Regional BGAN satellite IP modem works much like a conventional terrestrially-based cable modem and can be used for economical "always-on" internet access. The user pays only for volume of data transferred, not for the duration of the internet access session.

Regional BGAN was given its first major commercial test during the recent Iraq war. Embedded reporters and photojournalists used the lightweight system to transmit video and other news data. Regional BGAN proved to be highly effective with the wide variety of both Windows and Macintosh platforms used by the embedded media. The new shared bandwidth satellite communications equipment weighs only 1.9 kg (4.1 lb) which is a major advantage.

Most of Outfitter Satellite's media clients were very satisfied with the performance of the equipment. Mark Martin of WTVF (CBS Affiliate) was an embedded journalist in the Iraq war. Martin said: The Regional BGAN fit our needs perfectly. It was small, light, fast, and easy to set up. Since the system has no airtime fees, and charges are based on data sent, we were able to monitor our costs. The [Regional BGAN] was an affordable solution that fit our needs and exceeded our expectations." Other typical applications expected for Inmarsat's Regional BGAN service are high bandwidth data transmission from remote sites operated by government, mining, and individual users needing web access and e-mail.

In February 2002, France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications was selected by Inmarsat as the pilot operator to test the Regional BGAN due to its important network of distributors in the 99 countries covered by Thuraya. France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications was also chosen thanks to its leading position on the land market (34% of market share) and its strong presence in all existing Inmarsat land market segments (government, NGO, media, oil & gas and mining).
Moreover, during this pilot step, France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications has developed a number of value added services for Regional BGAN, specifically designed for Internet Protocol (IP) and data traffic.

Today France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communication has a leading position with 60% Regional BGAN market share.

About France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications is a France Telecom subsidiary operating and marketing mobile satellite services (Inmarsat, Thuraya, Iridium). France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications has a highly active distribution network abroad (100 distributors). The business clientele has a strong proportion of customers in maritime sectors (navy, merchant navy, pleasure boating, cruises, fishing), media and NGO, security, construction,
oil & gas and transportation sectors.

In 2002, France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications activities accounted for sales of 174 million euros (in 2001, the company had a turnover of 111 million euros). France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications has a global market share of 20% for Inmarsat (ranked number 3 Inmarsat operator), 22% for Thuraya (ranked number 1 Thuraya operator) and 14% for Iridium (ranked number 2 Iridium operator).                                             Internet- http://www.francetelecom-mobilesat.com

About Outfitter Satellite

Outfitter Satellite, is a U.S. distributor for France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, that rents and sells Inmarsat, Iridium, Globalstar, and Thuraya satellite communications equipment. Outfitter Satellite played a very important role by introducing Regional BGAN in the media market during the recent Iraq war and was the leading distributor of Regional BGAN during April 2003. Outfitter Satellite expects new market sectors such as financial
institutions to develop the Regional BGAN market. Internet:http://www.OutfitterSatellite.com

For more information contact:
Outfitter Satellite, Inc.                                        

James T. McKinley, President                                                        
Phone: (615)889-8833                                        
Fax: (615) 902-0028

Annie Hurley for France Telecom Mobile satellite Communications
i&e Consultants
+33 1 56 03 14 89
ahurley@i-et-e.fr