Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, and SkyWave Mobile Communications, a global provider of communication services for machine-to-machine (M2M) applications, announced the commercial launch of IsatData Pro, a new high-speed data rate service for managing and communicating with remote assets around the world.
In 2009 Inmarsat made an investment in SkyWave, a 15-year old company that has shipped more than 400,000 satellite terminals in 75 countries. SkyWave satellite terminals are used by some companies in the United States that provide trailer tracking systems.
With the new IsatData Pro service SkyWave says it can offer third party application providers a terminal to use for in-cab dispatch systems that require higher data rates to support electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs), telemetry, electronic forms, navigation, and workflow information, for example.
IsatData Pro offers a significant increase in payload capacity compared to other satellite-based M2M services in the market, the company says, delivering up to 10,000 bytes to the device and up to 6,400 bytes from the device. Other global M2M satellite services currently available offer data connectivity at between 270 and 340 bytes.
For mission critical applications, IsatData Pro can transmit a 100 byte message in less than 15 seconds, or a 1,000 byte message in 45 seconds – ideal for sending information to drivers operating in high-risk areas, or for the effective use of sensors to closely manage remote equipment.
“The machine-to-machine (M2M) market is set to continue its rapid growth globally, but it is currently under-served by services that cannot match the increasing data demands,” said Drew Brandy, director of land services at Inmarsat. “By supporting a significant increase in the size of M2M messages, IsatData Pro will provide better visibility of business operations, allow for risks to be managed more effectively, and deliver enhanced efficiencies.”
“IsatData Pro is a real game changer for our clients, for Inmarsat and for us,” said Sean Faulkner, vice president for IsatData Pro at SkyWave Mobile Communications. “Previously limited to a few bytes of information, transportation companies can now go from tracking and monitoring for security purposes, to using the enhanced data to provide logistic services.”
