Broadband/Connectivity Maritime News Operators Satellite

COMSAT signs distribution deal with Orbit to expand hardware footprint

The deal sees the addition of Orbit’s Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) and OceanTRx hardware to COMSAT portfolio.
Orbit MPT-46WGX Airborne Terminal.

Satellite connectivity solutions provider COMSAT has signed a distribution agreement with Orbit Communications Systems Inc. (Orbit), a provider of airborne and maritime satellite solutions. The deal aims to further expand COMSAT’s international terminal, hardware and service footprint.

The addition of Orbit’s Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) bolsters COMSAT portfolio, positioning the latter as a single source for both hardware and connectivity services for demanding government customers worldwide.

The MPT WGX models promise to deliver added value to COMSAT’s connectivity offering as the reliable, modular, multi-role aviation terminals are designed to be fully interoperable with the US Government’s military Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) network and are optimised for use over Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band constellation.

Available in 30cm (12in) or 46cm (18in), the lightweight, small-footprint terminals couple high transmit and receive performance and reliability, enabling a wide range of communication opportunities for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), military mission aircraft, rotary-wing platforms and business jets.

With only three Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), the system is lighter and easier to install than existing offerings. Built to fulfil “anytime, anywhere” connectivity needs, the MPT WGX terminals look to provide RF and tracking performance for customers operating in the harshest environmental conditions.

The addition of Orbit’s OceanTRx hardware to the COMSAT range delivers further flexibility in creating customised connectivity solutions tailored to individual vessel needs. The Ocean TRX hardware range supports naval, cruise and oceangoing platforms delivering multi-band terminals – C/Ka and Ku/Ka – to support high-speed data transmission to combined networks of MEO, LEO, HEO, and GEO constellations.

Commenting on the deal, David Greenhill, CEO of COMSAT, said: “Just like COMSAT, Orbit product development is driven by the desire to create the best next-generation technology and deliver consistent customer satisfaction supported by a highly specialised technical team. We are excited to add this impressive range of products to our portfolio. It perfectly complements our existing range of services, enhances our current offering and extends our reach even further around the globe. Our mission is to provide reliable connectivity that enables essential missions and we know the Orbit terminals will uphold our ability to achieve this for our customers.”

Dany Eschar, CEO of Orbit, added: “We are excited to be part of COMSAT’s satellite solutions offerings to the global government aviation and maritime markets. We have designed our solutions to allow for increasingly bi-directional high-speed communications where very high forward and return link speeds are required simultaneously. Coupled with COMSAT’s comprehensive solution approach, we believe customers will benefit from our technological innovations and the competitive total cost of ownership of our joint offerings.”