GeoEye Launches NGA Enhanced View Web Hosting

Geospatial information solutions provider GeoEye has delivered EnhancedView Web Hosting Service (WHS) capabilities to the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

EnhancedView WHS aims to provide users with password-protected, online access to unclassified, high-resolution imagery within hours of its collection. The solution is powered by GeoEye’s EyeQ online access platform, EyeQ. Recent commercial applications of the platform have combined GeoEye-1 and Ikonos satellite imagery and MJ Harden aerial imagery with data from commercial radar providers and the USDA National Agriculture Imagery Program.

Iridium Satellite Data Service Authorized by FAA for Oceanic Airspace

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will authorize aircraft operating in oceanic airspace to use Iridium Communications’ satellite data service for critical air traffic control communications.

The authorization was the result of a five-year FAA evaluation for aircraft flying in airspace under FAA jurisdiction to use Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A over Iridium (FOI) to meet communications requirements for air traffic control.

RRSat Mobile Subsidiary Offers IsatPhone Link Service

Station711, the mobile satellite division of RRsat Global Communications Network, has launched Inmarsat IsatPhone Link commercial services to various enterprise markets, Station 711 announced.

The company said it would target the email and low-speed data services to utilities, NGOs and remote areas where a stable connection is required for single or multiple users.

Inmarsat’s design and manufacturing partner Beam Communications has created two IsatPhone Link products that Station711 will be offering its customers — Terra 400 and Terra 800. Both products feature a dedicated RJ11/POTS interface for corded or cordless handsets and integration with PABX, with data access provided via USB.

Solaris Mobile Receives EC License to Provide MSS Services in Spain

The European Commission (EC) has granted Dublin-based hybrid satellite and terrestrial wireless network operator Solaris Mobile a combined Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) and Complementary Ground Control (CGC) license authorization in Spain.

The license will allow Solaris Mobile’s hybrid satellite and terrestrial network to operate in Spain, and will enable the company to provide voice and data services, video-on-demand, digital radio and other broadband and broadcast services to mobile devices.

In May 2009, the EC selected Solaris Mobile to operate services in 2 x 15 MHz blocks of S-Band spectrum across Europe. Solaris Mobile already has similar licenses in Finland, Luxembourg, Italy, Slovenia, France, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom. Four of these licenses comprise authorizations covering both the MSS and the terrestrial CGC element.

Stratos Deploys StratosMAX 2 Broadband Service for W&T Offshore

Stratos Global has completed deployment of its StratosMAX 2 broadband service for independent oil and gas company W&T Offshore at 29 of its sites in the Gulf of Mexico, Stratos announced.

Stratos’ StratosMAX 2 will power various W&T Offshore applications, including procurement, recording production and preventative maintenance. Stratos also is providing W&T with an auto-failover VSAT service, which aims to ensure service continuity to the StratosMAX 2 sites and protect against momentary outages on last-mile connections.

TAM Airlines To Expand OnAir Connectivity Services in 2012

TAM Airlines will extend its OnAir in-flight connectivity services to allow passengers to use notebooks, tablets and other devices compatible with WiFi, to access the Internet in addition to their mobile phones.

TAM said the decision to extend the services followed nine months in which passenger take-up of the service was stronger than expected. The new services will launch in approximately one year aboard the company’s entire long-haul fleet, including Boeing and Airbus aircraft. TAM said a total of 80 aircraft would be equipped with OnAir’s services during the next few years.

OnAir’s connectivity services are based on Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband, with satellite connectivity to and from the aircraft operated in partnership with Arycom in Brazil. The service aims to offer an upgrade path to Inmarsat’s next generation Ka-band solution, Global Xpress.

Vizada Rolls Out Customized Maritime Broadband Packages

Vizada has launched a range of global maritime broadband packages integrating Ku-band VSAT and mobile satellite services (MSS).

The service package aims to enable customers to select a combination of VSAT, MSS hardware and airtime that is best suited to their needs while being able to upgrade to a higher bandwidth plan or next-generation satellite service during or after contract termination, the company said.

Vizada also is including its XChange service as part of the new offering, while providing full access to Vizada solutions such as the SkyFile messaging and security suite and prepaid solutions hosted via Vizada’s teleports.

The packages range from unlimited 256 Kbps VSAT airtime-only up to an unlimited 1024 Kbps VSAT plus MSS airtime and hardware back-up. Customers can choose between a VSAT antenna from Thrane & Thrane, Intellian or Sea Tel, with the Inmarsat FleetBroadband 250 and 500 or Iridium OpenPort service as back-up.