LONDON, August 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, and SkyWave Mobile Communications, a global provider of communication services for machine-to-machine (M2M) applications, today announced the commercial launch of IsatData Pro, a new low data rate service for managing and communicating with remote assets around the world.

IsatData Pro offers a significant increase in payload capacity compared to other satellite-based M2M services in the market, delivering up to 10,000 bytes to the device and up to 6,400 bytes from the device.  Other global M2M satellite services currently available offer data connectivity at between 270 and 340 bytes.

By delivering up to 37 times more data, IsatData Pro can meet the increasing demand for richer information in M2M applications, and allows businesses to share more data across diverse operations, via emails, electronic forms and workflow information.  Applications include vehicle telemetry information, text-messaging remote workers, maintaining up-to-date driver logs, and the remote management and control of fixed assets.

For mission critical applications, IsatData Pro can transmit a 100 byte message in less than 15 seconds, or a 1,000 byte message in 45 seconds - ideal for sending information to drivers operating in high-risk areas, or for the effective use of sensors to closely manage remote equipment.

"The M2M market is set to continue its rapid growth globally, but it is currently under-served by services that cannot match the increasing data demands," said Drew Brandy, Director of Land Services at Inmarsat.  "By supporting a significant increase in the size of M2M messages, IsatData Pro will provide better visibility of business operations, allow for risks to be managed more effectively, and deliver enhanced efficiencies.  Furthermore it does so with the support of the most reliable global mobile satellite network, the Inmarsat-4s, which have an expected operational lifetime into the 2020s."

"IsatData Pro is a real game changer for our clients, for Inmarsat and for us," said Sean Faulkner, Vice President for IsatData Pro at SkyWave Mobile Communications.  "Previously limited to a few bytes of information, transportation companies can now go from tracking and monitoring for security purposes, to using the enhanced data to provide logistic services. Utilities can send more data, more reliably, from multiple sensors.  SCADA applications can go from alarm monitoring to really driving the performance and value of equipment.  It enables organisations to stay in touch with remote assets and workers where, previously, this was technically impossible or prohibited by cost."

SkyWave offers a series of fully-functional satellite terminals, modems and software tools to support the rapid integration of applications.  A number of partners around the world are now integrating IsatData Pro into their applications that support the transportation, oil & gas, utilities, SCADA, maritime, defence & security, commercial fishing and heavy equipment sectors.

SkyWave's IDP 600 series of all-weather data terminals include integrated GPS, as well as digital and analog ports for connecting sensors to relay data such as fuel levels, engine temperature and speed. Serial interfaces provide access to the detailed diagnostic and operation information necessary to increase visibility of how equipment is being used and to improve business productivity.  GUI-based programming tools enable solution providers to customise the operation of the terminals to offer their own unique solutions.

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 .

About SkyWave Mobile Communications

SkyWave Mobile Communications is a global provider of satellite communication equipment and airtime services for machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. Using the global Inmarsat satellite constellation, SkyWave's products provide dependable communication, tracking, monitoring and remote management of fixed and mobile assets. Over the past 14 years, SkyWave has designed, manufactured and shipped more than 400,000 satellite terminals to customers in the transportation, maritime, oil and gas, heavy equipment, utilities and government sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.skywave.com .

SOURCE Inmarsat plc