Satellite Device Tracks Your Location
There is now a satellite messenger that allows travelers to ask for help anywhere on the planet. Coming in November SPOT will be a first in its market. Backerpackers , snow skiers, hunters, and regular everday people now have a critical piece of equipment that has a line of communication when it could be a life or death situation. This locator relies not on cellular coverage but a satellite. Friends and families also can track your progress using Google Maps and the SPOT website. The unit weighs only 7 ounces and uses lithium AA batteries that have a 12 month life. Service will begin at $99.00 and the unit itself will only cost $149.00.
The
SPOT Satellite Messenger will be available to the public starting Nov. 1 through
Globalcom.
Sabre 1 Lances the Market
The
Wideye SABRE 1 BGAN is now being shipped in bulk orders. Addvalue Technologies of Singapore has effectively acquired Inmarsat type approval during the spring. GMPCS is a US-headquartered global distributor and it has been confirmed by the CEO of Addvalue, Dr. Colin Chan, that they have already been supplied with the units. He also stated that the first shipment to GMPCS shows that mass-manufacturing is a possibility. The total value of orders that have been placed at press time was approximately $4 million. The Wideye SABRE 1 supports multiple data interfaces, such as Bluetooth, Ethernet and RJ-11. It is very portable and that is why it is receiving a lot of attention. Sizes are 259 X 195 X 57 mm and weighs about 1.65 kg
This terminal is being offered with the Business Continuity Plan (BCP). It is together with compatriot airtime provider Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel). They currently serve 124 million people. This package was designed for corporate end users. The basic is for when terrestrial networks go down. Businesses can set up a corporate network and a broadband mobile office in remote locations with ease with reliability.
ONE STOP SHOP
Globalstar, Thuraya, and MSV offer regional service only. Inmarsat will be launching a service that is dependable with the Inmarsat reputation for unrivalled quality, reliability, and service innovation and support. The will begin in Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East. By the end of 2008 they hope to be on a global scale while offering the most modern satellite fleet. They are going to offer a broad portfolio of products, services, and solutions where the global SPS will fit neatly as satellite communications on the go. The products include a handheld, and maritime fixed and land fixed terminals. They also could include voice and simultaneous high speed data services such as BGAN. They are truly trying to be a “one stop shop” solution!
Get A Grip
The
IsatPhone is unique and a first for
Inmarsat. The initial roll out will support a data rate of 2.4 kbps and GSM mode while combining Mini M voice quality. This is just the beginning. New technical developments are due by the end of 2008. This will include changes to the design, size, and interface. Measurements on the IsatPhone is 130 X 50 X 32 mm and it weighs only 210g. SMS, pre-pay, and post pay will all be options of this new device. They are also developing terminals that may be used in villages as a pay phone. These are also going to meet military requirements.
