Thrane & Thrane: Higher Bandwidth and Superior Video Quality

An extensive free upgrade for Thrane & Thrane’s flagship vehicular BGAN terminal EXPLORER 727 was made available for download at www.thrane.com on 5th September 2011. The upgrade transforms EXPLORER 727, already the leading on-the-move BGAN terminal, by adding the unique capability to utilise Inmarsat’s premium IP streaming service, BGAN X-Stream, when stationary.

The software upgrade will be implemented on all new EXPLORER 727 terminals in addition to the free download for existing terminals. After following the simple upgrade installation, EXPLORER 727 effectively becomes a two-in-one terminal, able to offer BGAN X-Stream whilst stationary. BGAN X-Stream enables broadcasters to access the world's fastest on-demand video streaming via satellite, which until today, was only available on portable Inmarsat Class 1 terminals such as the Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER 700.

When on-the-move the EXPLORER 727 provides the best, most reliable data and voice functionality in its class, even at speeds up to 200 km/h and on any terrain. With the upgrade in place though, the EXPLORER 727 is capable of operating like an EXPLORER 700 terminal when the vehicle is not moving, enabling broadcasters to stream live coverage at data rates from a minimum of 384kbps from anywhere in the world.

“We’re delighted to be able to provide existing EXPLORER 727 users with a free upgrade that provides such a significant boost to functionality,” comments Morten Rishøj, Market Development Manager, Land Mobile Business Unit, Thrane & Thrane. “The upgrade has been extensively tested in co-operation with several broadcasters and we have already managed to hit streaming speeds up to 470 kbps, which is more than Inmarsat’s stated maximum for BGAN X-Stream.”