[Satellite Today 01-09-09] Inmarsat’s new Inmarsat-4 (I-4) Americas satellite has entered commercial service, the operator announced Jan. 7.
    Commercial switch-on was completed when all BGAN, FleetBroadband and SwiftBroadband traffic was transferred to the new satellite, positioned at 98 degrees West, from sister satellite I-4 F2.
    This latest move means the operator is now closing in on the introduction of full global coverage for its next generation broadband services. To implement full global coverage and at the same time optimize data connectivity across the new worldwide BGAN network, Inmarsat now needs to reposition the I-4 F2 and I-4 F1 satellites. This repositioning process is scheduled to end Feb. 24 with the introduction of global BGAN coverage.
    “The entry of I-4 Americas into commercial service is significant because it marks the start of in-orbit commercial service for the I-4 satellite, which was originally designated as a ground spare,” Michael Butler, Inmarsat’s president, said in a statement. “It also marks the completion of the first major step in a series of maneuvers which, in just seven weeks, will result in full global coverage for our unique broadband suite of services.”