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Stratos Announces Commercial Availability of Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services
--New offerings from Stratos come fully integrated with value-added services to provide users with cost efficiency and optimal performance--
BETHESDA, MD (October 1, 2007) - Stratos Global Corp. (TSX: SGB), the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced the commercial availability of Inmarsat's Satellite Phone Services. The new services are available in mobile, fixed-land and fixed-maritime packages.
Customers using Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services from Stratos will benefit from the Stratos Advantage, a wide range of value-added services that ensure optimal communications performance and cost efficiency. The most notable Stratos Advantage value-added service is the Stratos Dashboard, which enables customers to manage their usage of Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services by providing real-time information on voice and data traffic used, with associated costs.
The Stratos Dashboard further enhances the user experience of these new phone services by providing fast provisioning, as well as rebilling and reporting options to minimize unexpected invoices and potential financial risk. The Stratos Dashboard supports both postpaid and prepaid rate-plan options.
The Stratos Dashboard is used by all Stratos partners and many customers who deploy the Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) from Stratos worldwide. The Dashboard is also expected to be widely used worldwide by customers who will be deploying Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services from Stratos, FleetBroadband from Stratos (the maritime version of BGAN) and SwiftBroadband from Stratos (the aviation version of BGAN).
Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services from Stratos offer a competitive alternative to the handheld, fixed and maritime solutions now available in the marketplace. The services offer high-quality voice and data (2.4 kbps) connectivity via small, affordable equipment.
The IsatPhone is a handheld mobile phone that is ideal for users who include business travelers and government officials. The retail price of the IsatPhone terminal is US$499. End-user airtime charges for all Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services are less than US$1 per minute, with attractive discounts available to Stratos partners. Postpaid packages are available now and Inmarsat expects to announce prepaid packages early next month.
The LandPhone is a low-cost, easy-to-use fixed telephony system that is ideal for remote locations where local networks are unreliable or non-existent. The FleetPhone is a fixed maritime terminal that offers voice services only and is ideal for all maritime applications. The FleetPhone is expected to be commercially available later this month.
Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services from Stratos are now available in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, where Stratos is a leading communications provider to both land and maritime customers. Service in these regions is made possible by Inmarsat's latest-generation I-4 satellite. Full global coverage is expected by the end of 2008, commencing with the launch of Inmarsat's F3 satellite.
Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said, "With the availability of Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services, we expect to meet the communications requirements of thousands of new customers. These users will find the new phone equipment is reliable and easy to use, and the airtime is affordable. They will also derive a host of important benefits from the Stratos Advantage to ensure cost control, financial savings and maximum performance."
The Stratos Advantage Differentiates Stratos Services
The Stratos Advantage elevates Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services from Stratos, BGAN from Stratos, FleetBroadband from Stratos, and SwiftBroadband from Stratos far above baseline services. The value-added services comprising the Stratos Advantage provide users with cost and traffic control, firewall management, data optimization, high security options, easy VPN access, messaging services and full IP range.
More information on Inmarsat Satellite Phone services from Stratos is available by visiting www.stratosglobal.com.
About Stratos
Stratos is the world's trusted leader for vital communications. Stratos offers the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. More than 20,000 customers use Stratos products and industry-leading value-added services to optimize communications performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users on seven continents and across the world's oceans. Stratos is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc. For more information, visit www.stratosglobal.com.
For additional information :
Carla Riggs
Director, Corporate Communications
+1 709 748 4857
carla.riggs@stratosglobal.com