[Satellite Today 09-29-08] Inmarsat plans to support a new entry-level FleetBroadband terminal, the FB150, developed for the small fishing, leisure and business vessels market from mid-2009, the company announced Sept. 29.
    The FB150 terminals will offer voice, IP data up to 150 kilobits per second and SMS texting. The first manufacturers of FB150 hardware will be Thrane & Thrane and AddValue, which is partnering with SpaceCom for antenna production.
    "Inmarsat and the FB150 manufacturers are committed to ensuring the terminal pricing will address the needs of the sub-U.S. $5,000 hardware sector,” Piers Cunningham, head of maritime business at Inmarsat, said in a statement.