Satellite 2009 starts today, and this event is a great opportunity for Inmarsat to showcase our innovation in the marketplace and to interact with and learn from our colleagues, including valued partners, such as Segovia (booth 1105) and Vocality International (booth 734).  In addition to panels and our sponsorship of the MSUA Innovation and Pioneer Awards Presentation and Luncheon today, Inmarsat is involved in four panels tomorrow.

Inmarsat CEO Andrew Sukawaty will be a part of the conference’s CEO panel, “What’s Next for the Mobile Satellite Industry?,” tomorrow morning. During the panel, the CEOs will talk about what’s gone right and what hasn’t for MSS over the past year and what changes they expect to see in 2009. We fully expect Andy to highlight Inmarsat’s exceptional end of year results and what he expects as a result of the downturn in the economy.  In addition to his role as CEO of Inmarsat, Sukawaty is non-executive Chairman of Xyratex Ltd., and a non-executive director of O2 plc and Powerwave Technologies Inc. He was formerly chief executive officer and president of Sprint PCS.

Also on Thursday, Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, Inmarsat’s vice president for global government services will participate in the “Comms-on-the-Move – Mobility and Portability” panel. Panelists will discuss the latest in technology, portability, mobility and IP platforms that are keeping the warfighter – and the first responder – in touch while on the move. Cowen-Hirsch is a former member of the Senior Executive Service and was the former Program Executive Officer for SATCOM, Teleport and Services (PEO-STS) at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). She is a recipient of the United States Air Force Civilian Exemplary Service Award for her support of the military space and major weapon systems.

Afternoon panel sessions tomorrow include Hybrid Networks and Consumer Applications, in which Leo Mondale, Inmarsat’s vice president of business development & strategy, will participate. The panel will focus on new consumer-oriented applications that are being designed to benefit enterprise and retail customers and government users, by enabling low-cost handsets and devices capable of serving the needs of traditional MSS markets and new industry segments such as telematics, the outdoor and adventure marketplace and the wireless industry. Mondale joined Inmarsat in 2004 and has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the satellite industry.

Jack Deasy, Inmarsat’s director of civil programs, will participate in the “Public Safety and Homeland Security Applications panel” tomorrow. The panel will explore how Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) have played a leading role in the response to disasters both in the United States and overseas, examine the requirements of first responders and discuss what MSS providers must do to expand this market in the future.

A wide range of Inmarsat-based solutions will be on display in the exhibit hall booths of our partners.  Stop by Broadband Mobile LLC (1108), Klas Telecom (1220) and ViaSat (429) to see that latest in mobile satellite technology.