Inmarsat and JRC Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to Integrate Connectivity Solutions for Global Xpress®

LONDON, September 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• World leader in maritime electronics JRC in strategic partnership with Inmarsat
• Availability of new high speed data and cost efficient solutions expected to have important impact on Japanese maritime market
• Latest endorsement from the market for Inmarsat's service innovation and roadmap toward Global Xpress^®

SMM 2012  Hamburg - Hall B6 Stand 114 - Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announces strategic partnership with JRC, a leading communications provider headquartered in Japan.  

Frank Coles, President, Inmarsat Maritime said: "The development of Inmarsat products has always been closely integrated with quality hardware and antenna manufacturers to arrive at superb connectivity solutions. Our 4th generation satellite service, the FleetBroadband platform, has rested heavily on reliable providers like JRC. We are now delighted to extend our partnership with JRC and together develop connectivity solutions for the Global Xpress^®programme which will become operational during 2014."

Mr Coles continues: "As the launch of Global Xpress draws closer, Inmarsat is focused on continuing to integrate this new generation of high throughput services (HTS) with reliable and proven hardware solutions into easy to use products for the shipping market. In our effort to create attractive, bundled products we see that the strategic partnership with JRC will be extremely important."

Mr Tamiho Shinya, Vice Executive at JRC commented: "We are very pleased to engage in this strategic partnership with Inmarsat Maritime. We look forward to working with Inmarsat to develop a range of connectivity solutions that take advantage of both the FleetBroadband platform and the Global Xpress satellite constellation with its high throughput capabilities. We have already had great success in working with Inmarsat on the FleetBroadband platform where we together developed a range of products, and are excited to extend this partnership. With our global service infrastructure we are ideally positioned to provide fully integrated hardware, airtime and support services for the FleetBroadband and Global Xpress solutions to the shipping industry."

JRC has been a trusted Inmarsat partner providing both products and support services for the FleetBroadband platform including FB-500, FB-250 and FB-150 since the launch of FleetBroadband in 2005. Through this period JRC has demonstrated a solid capability as a hardware manufacturer and a provider capable of contributing to Inmarsat's connectivity solutions. The partnership between Inmarsat and JRC will build on both the FleetBroadband and Global Xpress programmes, and new solutions will be developed providing the shipping industry with smart solutions, packaged into cost efficient, compact and easy to install connectivity solutions.  

As a leader in maritime communications solutions for the Japanese market, JRC expects the partnership to strengthen its position and make an important impact in the maritime market with the availability of new high speed data and cost efficient solutions

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc 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.  Inmarsat employs around 1,500 staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. For the year ended 31st December 2011, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,409m and EBITDA of US$854m. For the six months ended 30 June 2012, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$684m and an EBITDA of US$381m. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: ISAT.L). For more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.

About JRC

Japan Radio Company is a world leading marine electronics manufacturer specializing in commercial navigation and communications equipment, including radars, navigation aids and radio and satellite communications equipment.

Established in 1915, JRC is one of the oldest marine electronics companies with a reputation for consistently delivering reliable and quality products that can support vessel and maritime operations in one of the harshest environments known to man. JRC is also a pioneer in the development of new technologies, from the first generation satellite communications terminals in the 1970s, to the Remote Maintenance System™ and solid state radar today.

With main branch offices in Amsterdam and Seattle, JRC is well positioned to provide sales and service support to its comprehensive global network of sales and service partners. Strategically located at all of the major ports and transit ways are major spare parts kits, allowing a 24/7 response and efficiency, for the minimum of vessel down time. For more information, please visit http://www.jrc.co.jp.

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SOURCE Inmarsat