Inmarsat, the global mobile satellite communications provider, has awarded the contract for the construction of an additional Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) broadband network communications satellite to Thales Alenia Space.
The satellite, which is targeted for launch in 2019, will be a Very High Throughput Satellite (V-HTS), providing capacity across the Middle East, Europe and the Indian subcontinent. The payload will seamlessly become part of Inmarsat’s existing GX high-speed global broadband network. The combination of latest satellite technology and a focus on areas of high demand, which will drive high capacity utilisation, will together result in a very low cost per bit delivered.
The value of the contract to construct the satellite will be approximately $130 million over the three years 2017 to 2019. This contract award will operate within the company’s existing capital expenditure guidance for 2017 and 2018. The launch provider will be announced in due course.