Inmarsat will launch more Ka-band satellites if Global Xpress service gets congested

Believing it's better to be safe than sorry, Inmarsat is setting up plans to boost the bandwidth capacity of its upcoming Global Xpress Ka-band satellite constellation in case the much-touted system gets congested earlier than expected.

The London-based satellite services provider is confident that Global Xpress will have plenty of bandwidth for its diverse array of planned users. But in case the planned constellation of three I-5 Ka-band satellites somehow cannot handle the demand, Inmarsat also intends to launch additional satellites to expand bandwidth capacity for the long term.

In fact, David Coiley, Inmarsat director of aeronautical business, welcomes the possibility of bandwidth congestion. Heavy demand would mean numerous users who would pay for the additional capacity.

“[Satellite] network operators always say, ‘If there is any congestion, it’s a problem we’d love to have,'" Director Coiley said, "and Inmarsat is already considering the necessary long lead items to put in place should it be required.”

Inmarsat's trio of I-5 satellites each pack a payload of 89 Ka-band spot beams. The planned constellation will be able to provide worldwide coverage save for the sparsely-populated polar regions. Each satellite also carries six steerable beams that can be aimed at high-traffic commercial or government areas.

“Interestingly, the major maritime and aviation routes overlap quite nicely," Director Coiley notes, "so we’ve already looked at areas in the world – such as the North Atlantic, Western Europe and Southeast Asia – where we’re looking to double up Global Xpress capacity. Plus," he adds, "we have steerable spot beams over and above that."

Inmarsat has invested $1.2 billion investment in its Global Xpress Ka-band satellite constellation, which is intended to serve terrestrial, maritime, and aviation customers alike. Director Coiley said that the GX service is not dependent on airline passengers who swipe a credit card session to surf the web.

“The business model, though positive, has yet to be proven whether commercial aviation alone can sustain the numbers being bandied around out there,” he said.

In addition, Director Coiley says that Inmarsat is “absolutely on track” to launch the first I-5 satellite at the end of 2013. Inmarsat will be able to offer global coverage “by the fourth quarter of 2014."

Predicted Global Xpress customers include business and commercial aircraft, government aircraft, ships, and news agencies all around the world.