Inmarsat building. Photo: fsse8info

[Via Satellite 07-14-2016] Inmarsat and VT iDirect are forming a joint Research and Development (R&D) team, dubbed i2, to support the development of next generation satellite communications technologies. The new venture builds on collaboration between the two companies during the past four years, which includes the Global Xpress (GX) program.

The R&D project team, to be based at Inmarsat’s headquarters in London, will focus on the proof-of-concept and prototype phases for new satcom technologies. Inmarsat and VT iDirect will jointly assess the commercial potential of each new technology before the decision is taken to deploy it in the form of a new product or service. Both companies’ partners and end-users will have privileged access to the new technologies.

Among the first projects the team will address are the creation of new solutions to support the growing integration of satcom and terrestrial networks, the requirement for smaller, more powerful satcom terminals, and the boosting of waveform performance.