Inmarsat – Definition and Pronunciation
What is Inmarsat?
The operator of global mobile satellite communications, part of the Inmarsat
Ventures Ltd group of companies.
Inmarsat-A: The original Inmarsat system, which has been operating since 1982, based
on analogue techniques and capable of global two-way telephony, facsimile, data and telex communications.
Inmarsat-B: An Inmarsat system based on digital technology, and capable of high quality telephony, facsimile, data and telex services.
Inmarsat-C: A digital system based on a low-cost MES with low power consumption. This system provides global two-way store-and-forward messaging, distress alerting, EGC SafetyNETTM and FleetNETTM, data reporting and polling.
Inmarsat-E: A distress alerting system based on EPIRBs.
Inmarsat-M: Introduced in 1993, based on digital technology and capable of two-way voice telephony, distress alerting, fax and data services at lower data rates.
Inmarsat mini-M: Introduced in 1995, based on digital technology and capable of two-way voice telephony, alerting, fax and data services. Operates only in the reduced coverage offered by the spot beams
Examples of Inmarsat
Distress and safety communications in the GMDSS rely on the use of radio communications through terrestrial MF, HF and VHF links and through satellites.
From “GMDSS Distress and Safety Communications”.