INMARSAT (International Maritime Satellite Organisation) operates a constellation of geo-stationary satellites designed to extend phone, fax and data communications all over the world.

The constellation comprises five third-generation satellites backed up by four earlier satellites.

The INMARSAT System primarily consists of the following essential components:

· The Inmarsat Network of Satellites, one each in each Ocean Region, IOR, POR, AOR (E) and AOR (W) with one backup and four earlier satellites.

· The Land Earth Stations (LES), which provide an interface between the space segment and the national & international fixed telecommunication networks.

· The Mobile Earth Stations (MES), which are the satellite communication terminals used by the user.

· Satellite Control Centres at Inmarsat Headquarters

a. NOC - Network Operation Centre

b. SCC - Satellite Control Centre

Who can apply for use of INMARSAT service?

Where to apply for No Objection Certificate?

What is the policy in this regard?

1. Any individual/ public/ private sector companies/ autonomous bodies/ Government departments etc. can apply for issue of No Objection Certificate for use of INMARSAT terminals to the VAS Cell, Department of Telecommunications, Room No. 1204, Sanchar Bhavan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110 001.

2. The application for issue of NOC should be made on plain paper with following information :

a. Name of the party

b. Full address of the party

c. Place of use of INMARSAT terminals

d. Period of use of INMARSAT terminals

e. Purpose for which INMARSAT terminals will be used

f. Type of Terminal for which NOC is required

g. No. of terminals for which NOC is required.

Policy for issue of NOC for use of INMARSAT terminals

Terms and conditions for use of inmarsat Terminals: -

(i) The permission issued is subject to the provisions of Indian Telegraph Act and Rules made thereunder as modified from time to time.

(ii) The installation and maintenance of the said equipment shall be the responsibility of the party.

(iii) The permission does not allow the proposed terminals to be directly connected to public switched network or any other dedicated network owned either by the party or by any other party. Such inter-connection will be only through VSNL Land Earth Station.

(iv) The permission is subject to payment of License fee, royalty charges and other charges leviable by VSNL and WPC as per relevant terms and conditions.

(v) The party himself or their authorized persons only shall use the INMARSAT terminals.

(vi) The party shall ensure adequate safeguards against misuse.

(vii) The party should ensure that adequate safeguards are taken against the risk of unscrupulous elements gaining access to INMARSAT terminals belonging to the party by threat or coercion.

(viii) The equipment to be used should comply with the standard INMARSAT specification.

(ix) Any departure from the license conditions/ change of area of operation will need fresh sanction of DOT. However, DOT reserves its right to deny permission to such change.

Types of INMARSAT TERMINALS

for which No Objection Certificate (NOC) is issued by DOT

1. INMARSAT-A:

v INMARSAT-A terminal supports telephone, fax, telex, data (9.6 Kbps) and Duplex High Speed Data (DHSD) upto 56/66 Kbps. It also supports voice and telex group call.

v INMARSAT-A Land Mobile Terminals are readily transportable, weighing about 30 Kgs and utilising an antenna about one meter in diameter.

v VSNL started to offer INMARSAT-A Services from 31st July 1992.

2. INMARSAT-B

v This is successor to INMARSAT-A System, it supports a similar range of services but is cheaper to use because it is based on modern digital communications technology and also digital design makes much better use of satellite power and bandwidth.

v INMARSAT-B Land Mobile Terminals weighs around 15 Kgs. and antenna size is approximately 1.2 meter x 1.2 meter.

v VSNL started INMARSAT-B Services from November 30, 1999.

3. INMARSAT-C:

v INMARSAT-C Mobile Earth Station (MES) has a small omni directional antenna, which can be easily mounted on a vehicle or vessel.

v It supports data speed up to 600 bps and provides terrestrial interfaces with telex, fax, X.25, X.400 and Internet.

v Weighs around 3 to 4 Kgs. and has an omni directional antenna of about 25 centimeter height.

v VSNL commenced INMARSAT-C Services on 12th November 1993.

4. INMARSAT-M

v INMARSAT-M System offers voice (4.8 Kbps), FAX (2.4 Kbps) and data (2.4 Kbps) Services.

v INMARSAT-M Terminals are lightweight, portable and available for meritime, land mobile and portable versions.

v Unlike INMARSAT-A Satellite Telephones, INMARSAT-M is a digital system.

v Land Mobile Terminal weighs about 10 Kgs. and antenna size is approximately 70 cm x 50 cm.

v VSNL commenced this service in November 30, 1995.

5. INMARSAT-Mini M:

v This System offers voice (4.8 Kbps), FAX (2.4 Kbps) and data (2.4 Kbps) Services.

v INMARSAT-Mini M Terminals are lightweight, compact and available in brief case version, vehicle mountable version and maritime version.

v The terminal weighs around 2.5 Kgs. and the antenna size is approximately 30 cm x 30cm.

v VSNL commenced this service in May 30, 1997.

6. INMARSAT-Multimedia Mini M (M4):

v INMARSAT-Multimedia Mini M (M4) is a hybrid system of INMARSAT-B and INMARSAT-Mini M Systems.

v The terminal weighs around 4 Kgs and the antenna size is approximately 100 cm x 70cm.

v It supports high-speed voice, fax and circuit switch data services.

v The terminal shall be low cost, lightweight and would be supporting 64 Kbps data facility with embedded communication applications

Source:
http://www.indiatelecomnews.com/newdetails.asp?newsid=475

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