Ligado Networks, Cobham and ViaSat Join Forces to Offer EXPLORER MSAT-G3 Next-generation Mobile Satellite Push-to-Talk Platform
Ligado Networks continues to set the standard for the mobile satellite Push-to-Talk (PTT) market with the introduction of the EXPLORER MSAT-G3, a next-generation satellite PTT platform, in partnership with Cobham SATCOM and ViaSat.
The
new
EXPLORER
MSAT-G3
platform
is
powered
by
Ligado
Networks'
state-of-the-art
SkyTerra
1
L-band
satellite,
which
provides
ubiquitous
coverage
throughout
North
America
using
a
22-meter
reflector-based
antenna
–
the
largest
reflector
to
be
put
into
service
on a
commercial
satellite.
The
expansive
communications
services
and
data
applications
offered
by
EXPLORER
MSAT-G3
will
operate
over
ViaSat’s
low-latency,
IP-based
L-band
Mobile
Satellite
Services
network
with
PTT
functionality
enabled
by
Cobham’s
IP-based
EXPLORER
PTT
user
equipment
and
server
infrastructure.
“The
combination
of
our
high-powered
satellite
operating
with
the
market-leading
technologies
and
services
of
Cobham
and
ViaSat
enable
us
to
offer
secure,
durable
and
data-rich
services
that
build
upon
the
standard-setting
satellite
PTT
foundation
we
established
nearly
two
decades
ago,”
said
Oliver
Hunsucker,
vice
president
of
sales,
marketing
and
strategy,
Ligado
Networks.
“As
a
partnership,
we
are
thrilled
to
be
able
to
offer
our
public
safety,
government
and
enterprise
users
the
best
of
all
worlds
in
mobile
satellite
PTT
communications
– an
extremely
rugged,
mobile,
IP66
rated
terminal
device
enabling
next-generation
services
they
can
rely
on
every
day
and
depend
on
in
the
most
remote
and
challenging
environments.”
Ligado
Networks
has
continually
set
the
standard
for
satellite
PTT
communications.
The
company
launched
the
MSAT
Network
–
North
America’s
first
satellite
PTT
network
– in
1997
and
has
consistently
developed
services
valued
by
end-users,
including
the
MSAT-G2
Mobile
Satellite
Radio
(2006),
MSAT-G2
Push-to-Track
(2007),
and
set
the
benchmark
for
interoperable
communications
with
the
creation
of
SMART™
talkgroups
(2007).
The
EXPLORER
MSAT-G3
raises
the
bar
yet
again
with
features
significantly
evolving
the
capabilities
of
the
MSAT-G2
platform
to
better
serve
current
and
future
users.
The
collaboration
between
Ligado
Networks,
Cobham
SATCOM
and
ViaSat
brings
to
market
the
next-generation
features
that
expand
upon
the
legacy
of
MSAT-G2
while
retaining
the
platform’s
popular
flat-rate
service
plans.
The
IP-based
EXPLORER
MSAT-G3
platform
will
allow
for
a
broad
range
of
new
terminal-based
data-rich
applications
secured
by
AES-256
encryption
connected
to a
ruggedized
Cobham
EXPLORER
mobile
PTT
interface
that
supports
Satellite/3G/LTE/LAN
backhaul
and
Land
Mobile
Radio
integration
to
provide
seamless
handover
of
voice
calls.
The
terminal
also
supports
Bluetooth
and
WiFi
data
connectivity.
“We
are
excited
to
be
combining
our
all
IP
based
EXPLORER
PTT
platform
with
the
compact
EXPLORER
122
vehicular
satellite
terminal
to
create
the
next
generation
MSAT
Mobile
Satellite
Radio.
The
robust
Satellite/3G/LTE
roaming
capability
ensures
the
highest
network
reliability
at
the
lowest
cost
available,”
said
Henrik
Norrelykke,
vice
president,
Land
Business,
Cobham
SATCOM.
Phil
Berry,
vice
president
and
general
manager,
Mobile
Satellite
Services,
ViaSat
commented,
“In
working
jointly
with
Ligado
Networks
and
Cobham,
we
have
created
the
next
generation
of
satellite
PTT
services.
Integrating
the
latest
L-band
technology
and
efficiency
with
the
reliability
of
trusted
industry
leaders
to
provide a
rugged,
mobile
capability
that
surpasses
customers’
desires
for
flexibility,
security
and
ease
of
use.”
