[Satellite TODAY 08-02-11] Mobile satellite operator Inmarsat has contracted International Launch Services (ILS) to launch three of its Inmarsat-5 satellites on its Proton rocket between 2013 and 2014 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Inmarsat announced Aug. 1.

   The Ka-band satellites will form the constellation to support Inmarsat’s forthcoming Global Xpress network, which aims to offer seamless global coverage and mobile broadband speeds of up to 50MB/s for users in multiple markets. Boeing is currently building the Inmarsat-5 satellites based on its 702HP platform.

   The ILS launch costs were budgeted as part of Inmarsat’s $1.2 billion investment in the Global Xpress program initially announced last summer. ILS successfully launched Inmarsat’s most recent satellite, the third Inmarsat-4, in August 2008.

   “Our agreement with ILS shows that we are well on track with our aggressive program for Global Xpress, with service planned to start in 2013,” Inmarsat CEO Andrew Sukawaty said in a statement.

   Financial details of the launch contract were not disclosed.