Inmarsat forms maritime partnership with SpeedCast to resell Xpress services

Inmarsat has formed a partnership with maritime broadband specialist SpeedCast International to roll out the satellite company's new Global Xpress (GX) service to around 2,000 vessels in five years.

Under the new strategic alliance, the pair will work together in key maritime markets around the world to promote and roll out the maritime-focused Fleet Xpress services, powered by the new GX network of satellites, to existing and new customers as well as its FleetBroadband service as a primary back-up option.

As part of the agreement, Fleet Xpress services will be positioned as a key service within ASX-listed SpeedCast's maritime services portfolio, being fully integrated with its existing maritime SIGMA gateway and other value-added services.

The two way partnership also enables Inmarsat to utilise SpeedCast's "unrivalled" global Ku-band network for its Xpress link customers.

"This is a very important strategic alliance for Inmarsat," said Inmarsat chief executive Rupert Pearce.

"Today's announcement deepens our valuable partnership and we will work together to deliver the "Connected Ship". This new agreement with SpeedCast also significantly strengthens Inmarsat's position in the global maritime business; a sector in which we have been the Maritime connectivity leader for over 35 years, and this sector will continue to be an important focus for us."