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The next evolution of Global Xpress – the most resilient and flexible global mobile communications network

MSUA 2016 award

MSUA 2016 award

Inmarsat’s fifth Global Xpress satellite, GX5, started commercial service in December 2020. It represents a significant advance in the capabilities of Inmarsat’s global wideband service and heralds the start of an unprecedented enhancement in the overall capacity and capabilities of the network.

The Inmarsat-6 (I-6) satellites are the largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever to be launched. I-6 feature both a Global Xpress (K-band) and ELERA (L-band) payload to power enhanced capabilities, coverage and capacity of our world leading communications networks for our global mobility, government and Internet of Things (IoT) customers. I-6 F1, the first of two satellites, launched on 22 December 2021.

The launch of I-6 F1 signals the start of our visionary and fully funded technology roadmap which will see a further six satellites launched by 2024.

Global Xpress Arctic payloads, GX10A & 10B, are scheduled to launch in 2023 will operate in Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO)and will cover the entire Arctic Circle, providing continuous, assured communications to tactical and strategic government users operating in the Arctic region. Building on Inmarsat’s current capabilities up to and beyond 75º North, the new Global Xpress Arctic payloads will improve network performance in very high latitudes by flying directly overhead, providing Global Xpress antennas with much higher elevation angles to optimize throughput. Importantly, these payloads will also provide military Ka capacity through service beams and high-capacity steerable beams, complementing military satellite resources cost effectively for optimal redundancy, protection, scalability and global portability. The two payloads to be carried on the Space Norway satellites. They will integrate seamlessly into the existing and planned Global Xpress network and will be fully compatible with current and future Global Xpress terminals.

The next evolution of Global Xpress

GX7, 8 & 9, with the first satellite scheduled to launch in 2024, once again provides ground-breaking innovation to anticipate and match accelerating worldwide demand for government mobile connectivity. It redefines Inmarsat’s renowned global mobile communications and seamlessly integrates increased diversity, redundancy, interoperability and resilience to a government architecture without additional infrastructure investment from end users. Backed by the most advanced cybersecurity features of any global network, the next evolution of Global Xpress will deliver dynamically formed beams that enable agile and precise allocation of ultra, high-power capacity over high-demand areas and allow for superior interference resistance. This innovative software-defined global architecture with GEO satellites has flexible payloads that can be relocated when and where required across the geostationary arc and connect to any Inmarsat software-defined ground network node, enabling higher throughput speeds and flexible and dynamic capacity scaling based on user-specific resource demands.

Global Xpress brings the following benefits to mobile government users:

Seamless worldwide mobility
To meet global coverage requirements, the Global Xpress Inmarsat-5 satellites were designed with 89 nested spot beams that cover almost all of the visible earth in a honeycomb configuration. As users move across the globe, Global Xpress delivers a continuous, consistent service anywhere in the world – on land, at sea and in the air, as traffic flows seamlessly across each spot beam.
Consistent connectivity
The Global Xpress network takes advantage of a uniform worldwide seamless spot beam architecture for maximum mobility. When there are demand surges, Global Xpress directs its steerable beams for additional capacity. And when Global Xpress is complemented by Inmarsat L-band services in a hybrid format, users benefit from even greater resilience and frequency diversity.
Reliable service
Inmarsat sets the gold standard for safety services, and quality of service is fundamental to our business. We offer the only commercial network from a single operator that combines the best mobility technologies in Ka-band and L-band, and underpins them with a global, fully redundant ground infrastructure.
Resilient architecture
Resilience and redundancy aspects are embedded within the design of every Inmarsat satellite with full flexibility to manage and reallocate beams for optimization of global and mobile network coverage. Each satellite is supported by fully redundant Satellite Access Stations (SAS) interconnected through a resilient global ground network and connected to robust Points of Presence, as well as customer-designated, secure “meet-me” points. The end-to-end Inmarsat architecture is designed to meet safety-of-life and mission-assurance needs, delivering the highest network availability demanded by government users.
Lower total cost of ownership
We build and manage the global network infrastructure for you. Inmarsat-owned and managed redundant systems – satellites, ground infrastructure – as well as type-approved terminals are always evolving. Without any capital investment on their part, users benefit from always-on access to rapid, reliable, worldwide satellite connectivity and managed services.
Simplified user experience
Users benefit from BGAN-style ease of operation – now available in wideband VSAT – enabling high-throughput applications, such as high-speed internet, live full-motion video and video teleconferencing. And they subscribe to access to always-on services available globally, a true global roaming service with assured quality.
Cybersecurity best practices
Global Xpress provides reliable assured access that is built to meet cybersecurity best practices with support from a dedicated cybersecurity team. Global Xpress commercial services and infrastructure are designed to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-53 Low Impact category controls. Military authorized users have the option to field specific technology and equipment in Global Xpress secure enclaves built at Inmarsat’s Satellite Access Station (SAS) locations placed in NATO and Five Eyes nations. The Global Xpress secure enclaves and network are able to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-53 High Impact category controls.
End-to-end solution
Inmarsat owns and operates its global mobile networks available throughout the world, including robust space, ground and terminal segments. Customers acquire the services quickly and cost-effectively, and the quality of service is assured.

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