Inmarsat, a leading provider of mobile satellite communications services, will demonstrate its new and premium IP streaming service, BGAN X-Stream, at an upcoming technology show in Dubai.

GulfComms, the region's largest international telecommunications forum for the mobile, fixed, IP and satellite sector, will be held as part of Gitex Technology Week from October 18 to 22 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Inmarsat introduced higher streaming rates on the BGAN X-Stream earlier in 2009 to meet an increased demand from the media sector.

By using a single, lightweight BGAN (broadband global area network) terminal, BGAN X-Stream delivers the fastest on-demand streaming rates from a minimum of 384 kbps (kilo bits per second) up to approximately 450 kbps.

The new premium streaming service is available on all existing BGAN terminals that are capable of accessing current streaming rates of 256 kbps and is accessible without the need for additional external hardware.

A streaming service of 384 kbps offers near-broadcast quality video and is compatible with leading video and audio IP applications.

Since its launch at the end of 2005, BGAN has been used by several news agencies around the world.  As an integral part of CNN's digital newsgathering solution, BGAN won both the IBC Innovation Award for Content Creation and the Judges' Award.

In May 2009, Al Jazeera English became the first media organization to deploy the new Inmarsat BGAN X-Stream mobile broadband satellite service for live broadcasts across the Middle East.

Samer Halawi, vice president for strategic corporate development for Inmarsat said: “As the uptake of mobile satellite communications services continues to grow in the Middle East, Inmarsat is committed to providing customers with cost-effective and high-speed mobile technologies like BGAN X-Stream that redefine this industry.”

“We have a strong customer base of regional media organizations and we are committed to serving their demands for higher data rates. At GulfComms 2009, visitors will have the opportunity to see how BGAN X-Stream works,” he added.

“This year, GulfComms is especially important to Inmarsat as it coincides with Inmarsat’s 30th anniversary,” Halawi noted. – TradeArabia News Service