Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce briefs President Xi Jinping during his visit at the headquarters of the British satellite telecom company on Oct. 22, 2015. (Photo : www.spaceref.biz)
Inmarsat Plc is set to roll out its revolutionary Global Xpress mobile satellite broadband service throughout China following a strategic partnership with China Transport Telecommunication & Information Center (CTTIC) on Thursday, Oct. 22, the China Daily Europe reported.
The agreement was signed during President Xi Jinping's visit to the headquarters of the British satellite telecom company.
According to the report, the deal between Inmarsat and CTTIC is expected to create business opportunities not only in China but also in more than 60 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe encompassed by the Belt and Road Initiative.
Xi toured Inmarsat's Network Operations Centre to familiarize himself with how Global Xpress works. The system is reportedly effective in rural regions where traditional mobile signals can not be picked up.
Xi said that China is interested to work with other countries to enhance the quality of telecommunications internationally and establish an information silk road.
The Chinese leader said that the system would provide communications to Chinese companies and their partners working in difficult terrain, especially during the construction of major infrastructure projects. It will also enable them to be in touch with each other during emergency situations.
"Our advantage is that we have a resilient means of communication, as we run the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, to help protect the safety of people," said Chris McLaughlin, senior vice president at Inmarsat.
As part of the agreement, Inmarsat and CTTIC will also provide satellite broadband for airline passengers and next-generation safety systems for the Chinese commercial aircraft.
The company's advanced technology was used to help pinpoint the flight path taken by the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 last year, as well as in the search for Boeing 777, in partnership with the Chinese government.
The report added that Inmarsat has a long working relationship with China as its systems were used to safeguard security in the aviation and maritime industries.
In 2008, Inmarsat also worked with the Chinese government during the rescue operation after the Sichuan earthquake where aid workers used the company's satellite system to keep in touch.
