NEW DELHI, July 17: Mekaster Telematics Limited is introducing Inmarsat's worldwide mobile satellite mini-m service in India which is becoming popular with the Railways, ONGC, Power Grid, coal mines and oilfields. The new version of Inmarsat mini-m terminal which weighs only two kgs and has excellent user profile is targeted to a class working in remote areas and in specialised professions.

Mekaster group chairman and managing director (CMD) VM Trehan, told Financial Express that his company was the first to introduce Inmarsat terminals in the country. The latest version, he said, provides toll quality digital voice, fax and data services at 2.4 kilo bits per second. Compared to cellular and WLL (wireless in local loop), the mini-m has a 95 per cent global coverage with roaming facility. Against this the cellular phones are presently confined to metros and no roaming is allowed. WLL on the other hand has a coverage of 25 to 30 km in one local loop. The Inmarsat mini-m terminals are manufactured by Nera Norway, NEC Japan, Thrane and Thrane Denmark. Other manufacturers who are set to launch their products are STN Atlas Germany and JRC, Japan. Trehan said the introduction of mini-m technology heralds the concept of a truly global satellite telephone, fax and data service. Inmarsat-M terminals had become immensely popular after they were first introduced on the Rajdhani express trains.

The price of the mini-m terminal is less than 3000 dollar and is affordable to more number of persons compared to the earlier Inmarsat terminals which were costlier and also cumbersome to use. The main application for this product, according to Trehan is for companies operating in remote locations, oil exploration, offshore operations, power grid and those in construction sites. These terminals are very useful for professionals in the communication and broadcasting industry, news papers, embassies and rescue operators. Explaining the marketscope for the product, the Mekaster CMD said, "Top executives and business travellers, companies like Coal India Limited, ONGC, GAIL OIL, SEBs and Power Grid find is most useful".

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