Fleet Xpress

Inmarsat Fleet Xpress offers new levels of connectivity, flexibility and guaranteed performance, wherever you sail.

Fleet Xpress, Inmarsat’s hybrid Ka-band/L-band service, will redefine what’s possible in maritime communications – offering consistent communications from a single operator. Opens up new levels of connectivity and exceptional performance across the world’s oceans.

Fleet Xpress delivers the high data speeds enabled by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band technology combined with the proven reliability of Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband L-band service. FleetBroadband being the backup service of the main Global Xpress service, the switch between both services is fully managed automatically. Guaranteed global bandwidth ensures that ship owners and operators can improve business intelligence, enhance efficiency, performance and crew welfare, and in turn run their businesses more effectively.

Features

Unlimited data service across Ka-band and FB on one price

Wide choice of affordable voice options (including prepaid) for crew and operations

24/7 Global customer support

Low cost voice

A variety of flexible data plans

Benefits

Continuous connectivity: ultimate reliability through a dual satellite constellation using Ka-band with unlimited L-band back-up, ensuring seamless global mobility

Controlled costs: more accurate cost management with a wide selection of flexible subscription packages and one invoice

24/7/365 management, monitoring and support globally, for simplicity and complete peace of mind

Real-time on-board connectivity status: enabling the captain and on board personnel to track and monitor which connectivity is active at any time (i.e. the Ka-band primary Fleet Xpress service, or L-band FleetBroadband back-up service)

Traffic prioritisation: onboard usage can be managed according to status and traffic can be prioritised to ensure critical applications are always globally available

Separate Pipes for over-the-top Services

The revolutionary bandwidth design of Fleet Xpress enables accurate bandwidth planning, management, and support with separate pipes for “Over-the-Top” (OTT) services. On its primary data subscription, Fleet Xpress offers three separate and fully routed networks all the way from the ship to the selected home POP. The routing is done via a combination of technologies, such as three separate Synthetic Virtual Networks (SVNs) on GX and three separate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) contexts on FleetBroadband. The three separate networks are called Corporate LAN, Crew LAN, and Voice plus Management LAN. The same IP range is maintained for the vessel independent of it being on GX or FB.

Customer bandwidth for business and crew
Voice services is separate from customer bandwidth
Site management and support for service assurance
Separate bandwidth for third-party business applications
Unlimited FleetBroadband back-up

Satellite Network Roadmap

Because Inmarsat owns and manages their satellite network, it is easy for them to add additional capacity to their network, either by launching new satellites or by buying capacity from other Ka-satellite operators. Inmarsat launched its GX5 satellite at the end of 2019, launched the first dual Ka/L-band I-6 satellite on 22 December 2021. Additional launches slated are the GX7, 8, and 9 in 2023, and the GX 10a and 10b designed to operate over the Arctic region in 2022.

Pros and Cons

Dual antenna system with one cost
Global Coverage (except polar region)
Reliable connectivity
Flexible service plans
The same IP range is maintained for the vessel independent of it being on GX or FB.