Inmarsat-5 F1 (I-5 F1), the first of three Global Xpress (GX) satellites, has successfully completed its orbital deployment stages on schedule. Inmarsat and Boeing engineers are now beginning a month of comprehensive payload testing ahead of live end-to-end testing of the high-speed, mobile broadband GX connectivity services scheduled for March.
From its geostationary orbital location at 62.6 degrees East, I-5 F1 will offer high-throughput broadband services for Africa, the Middle East, Europe and much of Asia. The satellite features 89 beams and six steerable high-power spot beams, which will enable Inmarsat to increase capacity based on customer demand.
The remaining two Inmarsat 5 satellites are scheduled for launch later this year for the GX programme, which is on course for full global coverage by the end of 2014. The satellites will be able to deliver download speeds of 50Mbps for users on land, at sea or in air.
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