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Inmarsat and Assemble Communications Launch Hurricane Communications Preparedness Kit Featuring BGAN - New High Speed, Mobile Satellite Communications Service

Posted on: Thursday, 1 June 2006, 12:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In preparation for this year's hurricane season, Inmarsat , the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, announced today that Assemble Communications, a provider of voice and data services to residential and small business customers, will incorporate its new BGAN high speed mobile communications service into a "Personal Hurricane Kit." The small lightweight kit will be marketed to residents of Gulf Coast states ensuring constant connectivity in the event a hurricane or other disaster disables the traditional terrestrial and cellular networks.

Launched in the U.S. in April, BGAN is the world's first mobile communications service to deliver both voice and broadband data simultaneously to a single, truly portable device on a global basis. Through BGAN, users can send and receive emails, exchange documents, make phone calls, view and send videos and browse the Internet.

"We have seen several examples of the vulnerability of terrestrial networks during recent hurricanes and have learned that only through satellite communications can you guarantee constant connectivity," said Jack Deasy, director of civil programs, Inmarsat. "The Personal Hurricane Kit from Assemble is all about providing portable and reliable communications connectivity by utilizing Inmarsat's BGAN. With BGAN, residents of the Gulf Coast states as well as first responders will have significantly enhanced communications services during a disaster."

The kit comes with everything a user would need to set up and launch a communications connection, including a satellite terminal, slim-line phone, pre-bundled service for access and a watertight crushproof case to carry all the accompaniments such as USB, Ethernet and phone cables. The kit also comes with an instruction card and a special toll free number for users who need additional assistance setting up their BGAN terminals for the first time. Assemble is initially offering the kit online to residents in the Gulf Coast states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

"The kit is small and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry, quick to set up and simple to use," said Cromwell Evely, marketing manager, Assemble Communications. "It can be deployed on a fixed, portable, or mobile basis, providing the flexibility to meet any emergency response or disaster recovery scenario. But most importantly, in using BGAN it features the most reliable high-speed mobile satellite communications solution available on the market today."

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organisations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. The company's services are delivered through a global network of 260 partners, including the world's leading telecoms groups, operating in 86 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2005, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 491.1 million and profit before tax of US$ 95.5 million. More information can be found at http://www.inmarsat.com/.

About Assemble Communications

Assemble Communications LLC was founded in the United States with US headquarters in Charlotte, NC and International headquarters in Singapore (Assemble Communications Global Pte. Ltd.) Assemble is a global satellite communication provider, delivering voice, video and Internet services through it's Inmarsat and VSAT networks. While serving all 50 states, Assemble has focused primarily on rapid response communications to local governments, agencies, and groups. More information can be found at http://www.assemblecom.com/

For more information, please contact: Vu Chung CJP Communications 212-279-3115 vu@cjpcom.com John Warehand PR Manager Inmarsat +44 20 7728 1579 john_warehand@inmarsat.com

Inmarsat; Assemble Communications

CONTACT: Vu Chung, CJP Communications, +1-212-279-3115, vu@cjpcom.com;John Warehand, PR Manager, Inmarsat, +44-20-7728-1579,john_warehand@inmarsat.com

Web site: http://www.inmarsat.com/http://www.assemblecom.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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