Lockheed Martin has received a contract from Inmarsat to develop enabling technology for Inmarsat’s mobile satellite network, Lockheed Martin announced Jan. 15.

Under the $36.5 million contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver and install three network control center/gateways that will provide connectivity to public terrestrial networks.

Inmarsat plans to implement a global network in 2008 that will expand its market reach into the commercial handheld mobile satellite service market. The network will rely on existing Inmarsat I-4 satellites and dual-mode global system for mobile communications/satellite handheld terminals.