Inmarsat and Axiom Telecom signed an exclusive agreement for Axiom to manage the global distribution of Inmarsat’s forthcoming mobile and fixed satellite phones, Inmarsat announced June 7.

Axiom will support the Inmarsat channel as the exclusive logistics and repair partner for Inmarsat’s new voice services — stocking products, fulfilling orders, and providing maintenance services for the suite of handheld, fixed and maritime terminals and related peripherals.

Inmarsat plans to launch the voice services later this summer, with initial service coverage to the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The satellite phones will undergo an extensive development program before a global roll-out of the service at the end of 2008.