Calling it a "game-changer, Inmarsat has launched its new international handheld satellite television mobile phone, the IsatPhone Pro.
With promotional incentives, some IsatPhones could cost below $600.
"We have these days entered the handheld satellite cell phone market place having a global handset," mentioned Inmarsat Chairman and CEO Andrew Sukawaty. "It targets buyers served by Inmarsat for decades, each at sea and inside the most remote parts of the global landmass. It is supported by our present satellite network also it utilizes confirmed engineering customized for use in these environments.
The organization mentioned the cellphone is rugged and splash- and dust-proof, also it claims the market's longest battery life and most robust handset.
It offers up to eight hrs talk time and as much as 100 a long time on standby. The phone has secured an IP54 rating and is dust-, splash- and shock-resistant. It operates from -20 degrees C (-4 F) up to +55 degrees C (131 F)
Targeted primarily at professional users within the government, media, aid, oil and gas, mining and construction sectors, IsatPhone Pro provides high-quality satellite telephony, text and e-mail messaging. Place information can also be viewed and sent in a text message.
The design of IsatPhone Pro, such as a fully-maneuvrable antenna, enables the handset to become placed on its side for easy hands-free use by means of Bluetooth. IsatPhone Professional has an intuitive GSM-style interface using a high-visibility color screen, and also a bigger keypad for easy dialing in gloves. This makes it potentially appealing not just to corporations but additionally to adventurous travelers who desire to ensure they continue to be contactable when away from cell selection.
"IsatPhone Pro will undoubtedly shake-up the world wide handheld current market," mentioned Helen Stalker, Commercial Director for Worldwide Satellite Cell phone Providers at Inmarsat. "It's the most effective general proposition from the current market.
It has a retail cost of US$699, but according to Inmarsat, discounts by distributors could bring it down to as reduced as US$500. In reality, SingTel was promoting it for US$549 at the Singapore-based tradeshow where Inmarsat created the official announcement of this device.
It uses a 2. four Kbps voice codec and promises "competitive" pricing by way of its resellers. The distribution partners are AST, China Telecom, Evosat, Korea Telecom, MCN, MVS, Network Innovations, NSSL, RRSat, Satcom International, Singtel, Stratos as well as Vizada.