Telenor BGAN Service Ready for Launch

Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway announced the completion of all Inmarsat requirements -- technical, commercial and distribution -- necessary for the successful launch of BGAN.

Inmarsat BGAN is the world's first global, mobile service to provide voice and broadband data simultaneously. BGAN is the latest addition to the Telenor Portfolio of Broadband, On Demand and Value Added Services. "Telenor is fully prepared for the successful launch and distribution of BGAN," said Arvid Johannesen, director of BGAN Services for Telenor Satellite Services. "Our technical and commercial systems are ready and our distribution partners are strategically positioned to get BGAN terminals into the market as quickly as manufacturers have them available."

Some of Telenor's BGAN preparations include upgrades to the billing system and business support tools as well as the development of My SourceTM -- a new web portal designed to be used by the customers of Telenor Service Providers. Telenor Satellite Services has also implemented a new BGAN point-of-presence (PoP), enabling IP connectivity for all BGAN services, including robust new streaming IP services and support for increased end-to-end security.

"With our BGAN systems in place and our test customers prepared and geographically positioned within the initial BGAN footprint, Telenor is poised and eager for Inmarsat to start BGAN service," said Tore Hilde, Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Satellite Services. "Successful completion of the Beta Test is Telenor's final stage in the official Inmarsat BGAN launch process planned to begin by the end of the year and, more importantly, to a successful launch of BGAN sales."