The Inmarsat network has the area code: +87077.
The Inmarsat satellite network is operated with currently 14 geostationary satellites in orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km and provides voice, data and emergency services on land, at sea and for air traffic via the L‑band, Ka/Ku-band and S‑band frequencies. The connection from the satellite network to the internet or fixed and mobile networks is made via 31 ground stations worldwide and a central network management in London. Currently, coverage extends between the polar circles. The GX10A and GX10B satellites, planned for 2023, will provide coverage of the polar caps for the first time.
All Inmarsat devices have a built-in GPS module. Before the device registers with the Inmarsat satellite, it must first locate its GPS position. With most devices, this also provides tracking functionality and the position can also be used for emergency messages.
The currently 4 satellites F1- F4 of generation I‑4 cover the following services over
L‑band frequencies:
- Voice
GSPS (Global Satellite Phone Service) is the telephone service for the satellite phones IsatPhone Pro and IsatPhone 2 on land and at sea. - Internet
BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) is a solution for mobile broadband internet access and telephony on land. BGAN HDR and BGAN LINK are also part of these services.
FleetOne, FleetBroadband (FBB), Inmarsat C (GMDSS, SOLAS compliant) are solutions for mobile broadband internet access and telephony at sea.
Swift Broad Band is a solution for mobile broadband Internet access and telephony on aircraft. - Machine control
BGAN M2M (Machine to Machine), IsatData Pro, Isat M2M
About the history of Inmarsat
Inmarsat was created in 1979 from the INternational MARitime SATellite Organization initiative of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to improve civil (security) communications at sea, especially to provide coverage in regions that were not covered by short or medium wave.
At first, leased satellites were used, then from 1983 only own satellites. In 1984, the name changed to International Mobile Satellite Organization, and in 1999, the organization was privatized as Inmarsat plc, headquartered in London, and placed under the control of IMSO (International Mobile Satellite Organization). The company has been listed on the stock exchange since 2005. In 2019, the Inmarsat Group was acquired by Connect Bidco Limited, registered in Guernsey.
