Telenor Satellite Services has received initial licensing approval to offer Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service throughout the United States, the company announced May 18.

Telenor’s approval to offer the service throughout the United States follows last month’s expansion of the new global voice and broadband data service by satellite operator Inmarsat to cover the Americas. Telenor Satellite Services initially announced the commercial launch of BGAN service in Europe, Africa Asia and the Middle East in December 2005.

BGAN offers users high-speed IP-based broadband communications plus simultaneous voice calling via a portfolio of small, lightweight user terminals.