Abstract

Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) system is scheduled to enter service in 2004. The network infrastructure will consist of a constellation of new geostationary satellites (14 satellites) and an optimised ground network which will interconnect with a variety of terrestrial networks at local “points of presence”. The system will employ bandwidth efficient modulation and coding techniques, capable of supporting variable bit-rate services and quality of service depending on the needs of the application. A range of terminals will be supported, ranging from small personal devices linking up with handheld and notebook PCs, aeronautical and maritime vehicular installations linking up with on-board entertainment and communications systems, to remote base stations linking up with local area networks. Depending on the terminal type, user data rates up to 432 kbit/s will be supported. The BGAN system is positioned as the satellite component of IMT-2000 (specifically the UMTS standard). The system will provide a near-global coverage overlay for the terrestrial networks, giving users service availability beyond the reach of terrestrial IMT-2000 networks. (7 pages)

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