IDirect iQ 200 series. Photo: IDirect

Inmarsat is growing its ground infrastructure to support aviation passenger Wi-Fi services, maritime services, and land users across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Inmarsat has awarded the ground infrastructure contract for its fifth Global Xpress (GX-5) high-speed, broadband communications satellite to VT iDirect, an IP-based satellite communications provider.

The iDirect Velocity platform and iQ Series remotes support Inmarsat delivering GX-5 high-speed broadband capabilities at a low cost per bit. Inmarsat terminals will also be able to seamless switch between existing GX capacity and new GX-5 capacity. 

The agreement builds on a long-standing partnership and allows Inmarsat to add capacity to its already established mobile global broadband network. GX-5 is set to launch in 2019 and scheduled to enter commercial service in Q2 2020.