[Satellite TODAY 03-31-11] Applied Satellite Technology (AST) has released Onsatmail, a free compressed e-mail service for IsatPhone Pro handheld satellite phones, AST announced March 30.
    The service will leverage a firmware upgrade that Inmarsat will release March 31 for the IsatPhone Pro. The new circuit-switched data capability aims to offer an effective data rate of up to 20 kbps.
    "Our Onsatmail service is used extensively by customers seeking to send and receive e-mail over low speed data links. The introduction of an effective data service is expected generate a lot of interest from users worldwide and we are also delighted to have joined the select group of Inmarsat partners to have achieved more than 1,000 IsatPhone Pro activations," AST said in a company statement.