AST Launches E-mail Service for IsatPhone Pro

Applied Satellite Technology (AST) has released Onsatmail, a free compressed e-mail service for IsatPhone Pro handheld satellite phones.

The service will leverage a firmware upgrade for the IsatPhone Pro. The new circuit-switched data capability aims to offer an effective data rate of up to 20 kbps.
 

Hughes, NextAlarm Roll-Out Satellite-Powered Alarm Service

Hughes Network Systems signed an agreement with NextAlarm Monitoring Services to offer NextAlarm’s line of burglary and fire protection products to HughesNet subscribers.

Hughes will distribute NextAlarm’s wireless security cameras, wireless alarm systems and broadband adapters that allow security systems to communicate over the Internet.

To support the contract, NextAlarm custom-designed a communication protocol that allows its wireless alarm system to be monitored directly over a HughesNet satellite Internet connection. The protocol is exclusive to HughesNet, making the combination the only way to achieve monitored security over satellite with a mass-market solution.