Get The Most Up-To-Date Story About Inmarsat Releases With $699 For IsatPhone Pro

Calling it a "game-changer, Inmarsat has launched its new international handheld satellite television cell phone, the IsatPhone Professional.

With promotional incentives, some IsatPhones could price below $600.

"We have these days entered the handheld satellite cell phone market with a international handset," mentioned Inmarsat Chairman and CEO Andrew Sukawaty. "It targets clients served by Inmarsat for decades, both at sea and inside most remote parts with the worldwide landmass. It is supported by our present satellite network plus it utilizes confirmed technologies customized for use in these environments.

The company said the cellphone is rugged and splash- and dust-proof, plus it claims the market's longest battery life and most robust handset.

It offers as much as eight hrs talk time and up to 100 several hours on standby. The mobile phone has secured an IP54 rating as well as is dust-, splash- and shock-resistant. It works from -20 degrees C (-4 F) to +55 degrees C (131 F)

Targeted primarily at professional users from the federal government, media, aid, oil and gas, mining and construction sectors, IsatPhone Pro provides high-quality satellite telephony, text and e-mail messaging. Area information may also be viewed and sent in a text message.

The design of IsatPhone Pro, including a fully-maneuvrable antenna, allows the handset being placed on its side for quick hands-free use by way of Bluetooth. IsatPhone Pro has an intuitive GSM-style interface using a high-visibility color screen, along with a bigger keypad for uncomplicated dialing in gloves. This makes it potentially attractive not just to businesses but in addition to adventurous travelers who wish to make sure they remain contactable when away from cellular variety.

"IsatPhone Pro will undoubtedly shake-up the global handheld marketplace," said Helen Stalker, Commercial Director for Worldwide Satellite television Cellphone Solutions at Inmarsat. "It's the top general proposition from the industry.

It carries a retail price tag of US$699, but according to Inmarsat, discounts by distributors could bring it down to as low as US$500. In fact, SingTel was promoting it for US$549 at the Singapore-based tradeshow where by Inmarsat produced the official announcement of this unit.

It uses a 2. four Kbps voice codec and promises "competitive" pricing through its dealers. The resellers are AST, China Telecom, Evosat, Korea Telecom, MCN, MVS, Network Innovations, NSSL, RRSat, Satcom World-wide, Singtel, Stratos as well as Vizada.