Satellite-Based, Always-On Broadband Internet Connectivity
Satellite TAS is based on the Inmarsat Regional BGAN, a satellite-based packet data service that uses the Internet Protocol (IP). It offers mobile, high-speed access to the Internet and organizational IT networks via a lightweight, portable Satellite User Terminal (UT). The UT connects to a notebook or desktop computer via Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB) or BluetoothTM wireless technology. Once connected, the user may remain 'on-line' for as long as required, only being charged for data sent or received.
The service is currently available in a footprint covering 137 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia. The area in red in the map below illustrates the current coverage pattern. Next spring, the service will expand to almost total global coverage by adding the area in pink.
Prices for the user terminal and for transmission have recently dropped as much as 40 percent. Users may now purchase user terminals from CGNET for $625 each and receive service for $35 a month and $6.99 per megabyte, in all countries covered except Iraq, Afghanistan and Chad. The monthly charge includes CGNET's added compression services which cut megabyte usage by 75% or more. A good estimate is that the cost of sending or receiving an average 32-KB Microsoft Exchange email message is about 5 U.S. cents.
Satellite TAS Is Ideal For:
- Locations or trips where local dial-up TAS phone service is not available
- Locations where the combination of TAS usage charges and telephone charges can make Internet connectivity prohibitively expensive
- Backup email and Internet access in the case of power or local access outages.
- Situations where access speeds greater than dial-up are required
- Shared access to a single RBGAN User Terminal
Benefits
Cost Effective
- More cost effective than any fixed satellite solution for highly mobile teams in developing countries: Minimal hardware investments required; low monthly fees.
- Is more cost-effective than dial-up TAS where high local and long distance telephone charges or premium TAS charges apply.
- Pre-paid option allows organizations to budget and control field communications costs.
High Speed
- Connects at up to 144 Kbits/sec.
Always On
- Avoid time-consuming dial-up and log-in sessions. Ideal for interactive applications such as Instant Messaging. Pay only for data sent and received.
Battery Powered
- Ideal for situations where local power is unavailable or intermittent. Can be powered through car battery adaptor.
Easy to Use
- Can be set up within minutes by untrained personnel. Does not require accurate pointing of antenna.
Single TAS Invoice
- Includes Dial-up and Satellite TAS charges to reduce administrative costs.
Outsourced Logistics
- CGNET Device Management and UT rental options allow organizations to outsource the provisioning of UTs to the field and to avoid purchasing any hardware. CGNET manages all logistics related to sending and collecting terminals.
24/7 CGNET Support
- Leverages the CGNET TAS support team and expertise in supporting thousands of TAS accounts all over the world, including the most remote locations on earth.
Features
Satellite TAS comes in two configurations, Satellite TAS Basic and Satellite TAS Plus.
Satellite TAS Basic
- Currently available in a footprint covering 137 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia. Global coverage is planned for next spring and requires no hardware upgrade.
- Terminal is notebook sized, lightweight and includes the antenna. No external antenna or accurate pointing is required. Ideal for untrained field personnel.
- Transmission is over shared 144-kbps channels.
- Data compression supplied by CGNET providing volume reductions of 75% or more.
- Terminal connects to a notebook or desktop computer running Microsoft Windows 98, Millennium Edition (ME), 2000, XP or NT via Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Bluetooth wireless technology.
- Web-based user interface provides full details of the operational status of the system connection, with key information replicated on the Satellite UT using a series of LEDs.
- A three-position switch within the antenna enables the user to select the integrated antenna, an optional external antenna, or a third position, which will allow the satellite UT to be operated over the Inmarsat I-4 satellites when these become operational.
Satellite TAS Plus
- Satellite TAS Plus service includes all the features of Satellite TAS Basic, plus features aimed at facilitating the sharing of a User Terminal and significantly reducing data throughput (and resulting usage charges).
- CGNET's optional Satellite Email Management solution dramatically reduces data traffic thanks to a combination of spam filtering, stripping of attachments and pictures from messages, etc.
- CGNET Norma2™: Based on CGNET's Norma, Norma2 is an intelligent 802.11 wireless access point featuring TAS user authentication, usage tracking and proprietary data compression technology.
Satellite User Terminal Features and Details
- Lightweight: 1.6 - 1.8 Kg (3.3 - 3.9 lbs.)
- Compact: 300 mm x 240 mm x 40 mm (11.8 x 9.4 x 1.6 in.)
- SIM Card: Yes
- Operating Temperature: -10C to +55C (14F to 131F)
- Operating Humidity: 95% RH at 40C (104F)
- Input Voltage: 7.2 to 8.4 Vdc
- Mechanical Vibration: 200-2000 Hz, 0.3 m2/s3
- Unpackaged Drop: 0.5 m on concrete
- Solar Radiation: 1120 w/m2, MIL-SPEC 810E 505.3
- Water/Dustproof: IP-54 as standard, dust and spray proof in all directions
- Battery Life: 36 hours standby, 1 hour continuous transmission at highest rate
- External Power: Power supply adapter
- Connectors: USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth™
- User Interface: Web page-based user interface via standard Web browser