Inmarsat, JSAT MOBILE and NTT DOCOMO join forces to launch IsatPhone Pro in Japan

SINGAPORE/LONDON – 26 July 2012 – Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced the launch of its award-winning global satellite handheld IsatPhone Pro™ in Japan. The trusted IsatPhone Pro will be available to Japanese users from the beginning of August 2012.

Japan’s largest mobile carrier NTT DOCOMO, Inc. will deliver IsatPhone Pro to the Japanese market in partnership with JSAT MOBILE Communications Inc., a joint venture between Inmarsat and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation which is Asia-Pacific’s largest satellite operator and is also Japan’s largest DTH broadcasting platform operator, SKY PerfecTV!

Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro offers the ultimate combination of global coverage on the world’s most reliable satellite network, a robust handset, and the longest battery life available in the market, with eight hours of talk time and up to a hundred hours of standby time.

In addition to essential satellite telephony, data, text and email messaging, IsatPhone Pro provides GPS location and social media services. IsatPhone Pro users can send their GPS location, and access Twitter from anywhere in the world using the handset’s short messaging service (SMS) function.

Eiichi Yoda, President and Chief Executive Officer, JSAT MOBILE said: “The interest in satellite phones for business continuity and disaster recovery has greatly increased after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. It is our pleasure to respond to customer demand by introducing Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro in Japan. We feel that this will be a very significant opportunity.”

The introduction of IsatPhone Pro addresses the growing demand among Japanese customers for an easy-to-use handheld satellite phone. The service complements NTT DOCOMO’s existing mobile satellite services portfolio, centred on Widestar and Widestar II.

Commenting on the announcement, Lizzie Greenwood, Asia-Pacific Director, Global Government, at Inmarsat said: “We are excited to partner with such a world-leader as NTT DOCOMO to launch IsatPhone Pro in Japan. This is a key market for Inmarsat and launching IsatPhone Pro here is an important milestone for us.”

IsatPhone Pro is poised to be a major enhancement to solutions for disaster preparedness, aid mobilisation, and other mission-critical communications requirements. “Mobile satellite communications provide vital back-up and lifeline connectivity. In times of emergency or when terrestrial communications are down, satcom services could help save lives and significantly mitigate the impact of natural catastrophes on business continuity,” she continued.