Copenhagen, Denmark – Cobham SATCOM, the leading global provider of satellite communications solutions, today announced that it would provide L-band ground infrastructure for Inmarsat’s I-6 constellation, currently set for first launch in 2020. Cobham SATCOM’s next generation radio access network (RAN) leverages scalable technologies to deliver a more flexible, digital system, enabling Inmarsat customers to keep pace with market requirements.

I-6 will be the world’s most advanced L-band satellite constellation. The network will extend Inmarsat’s market-leading L-band BGAN offering, delivering additional capacity while enabling future capabilities from advanced global safety services and low cost mobile solutions, to Internet of Things (IoT) applications and beyond.

This initiative continues a 30-year plus partnership between Cobham SATCOM and Inmarsat extending across land, maritime, space, and aviation. In addition to producing market-leading user terminals in all categories, Cobham SATCOM has developed and maintained the L-band radio access network and constructed Inmarsat Land Earth Stations in 17 countries since 1990.

Paul Kahn, President of Communications and Connectivity at Cobham, commented: “This next chapter in our partnership with Inmarsat builds upon our track record of mutual success and strengthens Cobham SATCOM’s position as a global market leader in satellite ground infrastructure. Both Cobham and Inmarsat share the vision and mission of improving connectivity for users and their devices everywhere.  By ensuring global availability of reliable safety services we can help save hundreds of lives every year.”

Peter Hadinger, CTO, Inmarsat, said: “Inmarsat-6 extends Inmarsat’s commitment to our L-band customers through the 2030s and allows us to expand the capabilities of this unique communications architecture to new and improved services.   Securing the highest performing and most innovative hardware for Inmarsat-6 has been a critical focus for us and we are pleased that the evaluation showed that our long-term partner Cobham SATCOM could meet our rigorous specifications and continue to provide us with a sustainable competitive advantage.”

About Cobham SATCOM

Providing dependable communications and internet access anywhere under the most demanding conditions. Our satellite and radio communication terminals perform in the most challenging and remote environments on land, at sea and in the air. We design and manufacture these high performance products under the AVIATOR, EXPLORER, SAILOR and Sea Tel brands providing customers with outstanding performance, value and support through our global sales and service network.

About Cobham

Cobham offers an innovative range of technologies and services to solve challenging problems in commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean.

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat is the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications. It owns and operates the world’s best global portfolio of satellite networks, specifically designed for customer mobility, and holds a multi-layered, global spectrum portfolio, covering L-band, Ka-band and S-band, enabling unparalleled breadth and diversity in the solutions it provides.  Inmarsat’s long established global distribution network includes not only the world’s leading channel partners but also its own strong direct retail capabilities, enabling end to end customer service assurance.  The company has an unrivalled track record of operating the world’s most reliable global mobile satellite networks, sustaining business and mission critical safety & operational applications for almost 40 years. It is also a major driving force behind technological innovation in mobile satellite communications, sustaining its leadership through a substantial investment and a powerful network of technology and manufacturing partners.   Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government and Aviation satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high quality partner to its customers across the globe.

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