Inmarsat aims to push up the data rates of its Inmarsat-3 satellites to 128kbit/s to pave the way for the 432kbit/s data rates of the Inmarsat-4s, due to be operational from 2004. Initially, Inmarsat's data rates will increase to 64kbits/s early next year, allowing faster in-flight e-mail and e-commerce connections, with a possibility of increasing to 128kbits/s by mid 2002, says David Featherstone, Inmarsat's head of aeronautical operations. The 64kbits/s and subsequent increases will "build a foundation" for Inmarsat-4.
Source: Flight International
