Inmarsat Plc (LON:ISAT) has chosen Airbus as the manufacturer of a trio of new satellites for its Global Xpress (GX) network with the partnership to provide a step-change in GX's capabilities, according to the satellites operator.
Inmarsat launched GX in 2010 and Rupert Pearce, its chief executive said it remains the world's only truly seamless global mobile broadband network.
This upgrade will be compatible with existing GX terminals, be future proof and cut the lead time from orders to orbit, he said.
Airbus will build three next-generation GX satellites, with the first scheduled to launch in the first half of 2023. The European group built the Inmarsat-4 spacecraft, Alphasat and is currently working on the Inmarsat-6 satellites.
Inmarsat CEO Pearce pointed out that the new contract marks the start of a new long-term strategic partnership between the companies, noting: "GX has rapidly become a very significant and sustained revenue growth contributor for Inmarsat.”
Once the three new satellites are in orbit, the GX network will comprise ten satellites.