Inmarsat to locate satellite access station for European Aviation Network in Greece under partnership with OTE
2 November 2015 – Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, will locate the Satellite Access Station (SAS) for its European Aviation Network (EAN) high-speed inflight connectivity solution in Greece, under an agreement with OTE, the largest telecommunications provider in Greece and member of the Deutsche Telekom Group.
The development of the SAS in Nemea, Peloponnese, will be a key infrastructure milestone for EAN, which was unveiled by Inmarsat last month as the first aviation passenger connectivity solution in Europe to combine an advanced satellite network and LTE-based ground network, the latter of which will be operated by Deutsche Telekom.
Aircraft will switch automatically between satellite and terrestrial connectivity using an onboard network communicator for optimal service delivery. As a result, airlines will be able to offer reliable, high-speed onboard internet access to passengers across Europe’s high-traffic flight paths, utilising Inmarsat’s 30MHz (2 x 15MHz) S-band spectrum allocation in all 28 EU member states.
The new SAS at Nemea will serve as a gateway towards Inmarsat’s advanced S-band satellite, which is currently being manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, and a compact, lightweight Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) terminal being produced by Cobham SATCOM.
OTE will deliver and operate the satellite teleport facilities on the same site that has also hosted Inmarsat’s Ka-band Global Xpress (GX) satellite access station since 2012. The SAS will contain a 13-metre antenna that provides feeder links to the satellite, a radio frequency sub-system and a radio access network, the latter of which will also be provided by Cobham SATCOM using reliable Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) technology in sync with the MSS terminals.
Leo Mondale, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: “The European Aviation Network is an important development for Inmarsat, for the aviation industry, and for Europe. Our agreement with OTE to develop the satellite access station, and previous announcements with other European partners such as Thales Alenia Space, Deutsche Telekom and Cobham SATCOM, highlight that the various components of this exciting project are coming together.
“OTE, as the existing operator of our Global Xpress SAS in Nemea, has already demonstrated its abilities as a successful and efficient supplier for Inmarsat. We are delighted to extend the partnership with our new EAN satellite access station, especially as the weather conditions in Nemea are optimal for high-quality feeder links. This is also a cost effective decision, as the investment and operational expenditure will be minimal, and there are many important operational efficiencies of providing both the GX and EAN service from the same site.”
Zacharias Piperidis, OTE Group Chief Operating Officer, noted: “With this partnership, which fits perfectly with current EAN cooperation between Inmarsat and DT, the OTE Group shows that besides providing traditional satellite services, it can reliably support the demanding global market of new generation technologies, which require infrastructure and services of the highest standards. OTE Group’s Satellite Communications Centres in Nemea and Thermopylae have now become the most important ones in the wider region of Europe, Middle East and Africa and can service the most important satellite organisations worldwide.”
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 organisations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com
The Inmarsat press release newsfeed is on Twitter @InmarsatGlobal
About OTE Group
OTE Group is the largest telecommunications provider in Greece and one of the leading telecom groups in South-eastern Europe. It is among the three largest listed companies, with respect to capitalization, in the Athens Stock Exchange. Deutsche Telecom holds 40% of OTE’s share capital and the Greek State 10%. OTE Group companies employ about 22,000 people in three countries. The Group offers a full range of telecommunications services: fixed-line and mobile telephony, broadband services, pay TV, ICT solutions, satellite and maritime communications, as well as real-estate and professional training. Outside Greece, the Group operates in Romania, where it offers fixed-line and mobile communications as well as pay TV services, and in Albania, where it offers mobile communications services. For more info www.ote.gr
About OTE satellite teleports:
OTE operates two satellite teleports in Greece, at Nemea and Thermopylae, providing global end-to-end services, ensuring ISO certified Business Continuity & high quality for business and residential customers. The experience of worldwide satellite services’ provision render OTE an ideal partner for media, government & military, international telephony and maritime companies, Internet service providers, as well as international terrestrial and satellite carrier operators. OTE forms a key gateway to Europe, America, Australia, Africa, Middle East, and Western Asia.
