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Inmarsat to Implement Product Quality Assurance Programme in Co-ordination With Global VSAT Forum Framework
LONDON, November 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Global Xpress(R) 2013 Service Launch Will Include Earth Station Testing
Requirements Aligned with GVF 'Quality Products' Industry Initiative
Quality assurance is at the heart of Inmarsat's US$1.2 billion Global Xpress system.
The launch of this new satellite service will be enhanced through the implementation of
mandatory earth station testing requirements. This will be done in co-ordination with the
Global VSAT Forum (GVF), the international association of the satellite communications
industry.
Through Inmarsat's testing programme, earth station products to be used with the 2013
launch of Global Xpress broadband services will be required to demonstrate high levels of
performance to ensure customer satisfaction. Inmarsat's programme will be aligned with the
GVF Product Quality Assurance Framework, and meet the GVF Quality Products Industry
Initiative.
"Inmarsat is committed to ensuring that our customers receive high-performance
broadband satellite products," said Leo Mondale, MD of Global Xpress. "Our decision to
require product testing in alignment with the GVF Product Quality Assurance Framework is a
clear demonstration of that commitment."
"The global satellite industry is taking next-generation broadband solutions to a
higher level of performance," said David Hartshorn, Secretary General, GVF. "Inmarsat's
requirement for type-approved earth station products -- and Global Xpress' co-ordination
with the GVF Quality Products Initiative -- will give customers the standard of quality
that is essential in today's demanding marketplace."
GVF provides earth station testing through a mutually-recognized type approvals
framework and an industry-authorised network of testing entities. Major satellite
operators rely upon or conduct their own testing in co-ordination with the service, which
is provided by GVF through its Mutual Recognition Arrangement Working Group (MRA-WG).
"Global type-approvals, which have a major bearing on industry profitability and
competitiveness, have gained in importance as demand for satellite-based systems and
services have increased and volumes have risen," said Colin Robinson, Chairman of the
MRA-WG. "Inmarsat's support for the industry's quality-assurance initiative is well timed
to address that trend."
The MRA-WG maintains procedure GVF-101, which defines a set of standard tests that an
antenna or earth station manufacturer must perform in order to apply for type approval
from any satellite operator who is a member of GVF. Use of this procedure assures the
quality of the ground communication equipment and provides the earth station operator with
a complete set of measured and verified test data. This helps reduce the time and cost
required to bring new ground-segment technology to the market, provides credible measured
performance data for use in developing link budgets, thereby advancing the competitiveness
of satellite communications services.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications
services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data
communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of
services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,500
staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and
centres of commerce on every continent. For more information, please visit
http://www.inmarsat.com
About GVF (http://www.gvf.org)
GVF is the international association of the satellite communications industry.
Supported by 200 companies based in every major region of the world, GVF promotes higher
standards of service, greater levels of market access, improved regulatory conditions, and
heightened awareness by the private and public sectors of the advantages afforded by
state-of-the-art satellite-based fixed and mobile solutions.
Inmarsat
CONTACT: Media contact for Inmarsat Chris McLaughlin, VP, External Affairs, Inmarsat. Tel: +44(0)77-9627-6033, christopher.mclaughlin@inmarsat.com; Bell Pottinger for Inmarsat, Neville Rawlings, T: +44(0)207-861-2502, nrawlings@bell-pottinger.co.uk
Inmarsat to Implement Product Quality Assurance Programme in Co-ordination With Global VSAT Forum Framework
LONDON, November 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Global Xpress(R) 2013 Service Launch Will Include Earth Station Testing
Requirements Aligned with GVF 'Quality Products' Industry Initiative
Quality assurance is at the heart of Inmarsat's US$1.2 billion Global Xpress system.
The launch of this new satellite service will be enhanced through the implementation of
mandatory earth station testing requirements. This will be done in co-ordination with the
Global VSAT Forum (GVF), the international association of the satellite communications
industry.
Through Inmarsat's testing programme, earth station products to be used with the 2013
launch of Global Xpress broadband services will be required to demonstrate high levels of
performance to ensure customer satisfaction. Inmarsat's programme will be aligned with the
GVF Product Quality Assurance Framework, and meet the GVF Quality Products Industry
Initiative.
"Inmarsat is committed to ensuring that our customers receive high-performance
broadband satellite products," said Leo Mondale, MD of Global Xpress. "Our decision to
require product testing in alignment with the GVF Product Quality Assurance Framework is a
clear demonstration of that commitment."
"The global satellite industry is taking next-generation broadband solutions to a
higher level of performance," said David Hartshorn, Secretary General, GVF. "Inmarsat's
requirement for type-approved earth station products -- and Global Xpress' co-ordination
with the GVF Quality Products Initiative -- will give customers the standard of quality
that is essential in today's demanding marketplace."
GVF provides earth station testing through a mutually-recognized type approvals
framework and an industry-authorised network of testing entities. Major satellite
operators rely upon or conduct their own testing in co-ordination with the service, which
is provided by GVF through its Mutual Recognition Arrangement Working Group (MRA-WG).
"Global type-approvals, which have a major bearing on industry profitability and
competitiveness, have gained in importance as demand for satellite-based systems and
services have increased and volumes have risen," said Colin Robinson, Chairman of the
MRA-WG. "Inmarsat's support for the industry's quality-assurance initiative is well timed
to address that trend."
The MRA-WG maintains procedure GVF-101, which defines a set of standard tests that an
antenna or earth station manufacturer must perform in order to apply for type approval
from any satellite operator who is a member of GVF. Use of this procedure assures the
quality of the ground communication equipment and provides the earth station operator with
a complete set of measured and verified test data. This helps reduce the time and cost
required to bring new ground-segment technology to the market, provides credible measured
performance data for use in developing link budgets, thereby advancing the competitiveness
of satellite communications services.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications
services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data
communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of
services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,500
staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and
centres of commerce on every continent. For more information, please visit
http://www.inmarsat.com
About GVF (http://www.gvf.org)
GVF is the international association of the satellite communications industry.
Supported by 200 companies based in every major region of the world, GVF promotes higher
standards of service, greater levels of market access, improved regulatory conditions, and
heightened awareness by the private and public sectors of the advantages afforded by
state-of-the-art satellite-based fixed and mobile solutions.
Inmarsat
CONTACT: Media contact for Inmarsat Chris McLaughlin, VP, External Affairs, Inmarsat. Tel: +44(0)77-9627-6033, christopher.mclaughlin@inmarsat.com; Bell Pottinger for Inmarsat, Neville Rawlings, T: +44(0)207-861-2502, nrawlings@bell-pottinger.co.uk