About Inmarsat BGAN Satellite - Canada USA

BGAN stands for “Broadband Global Area Network” which is a satellite mobile solution offering remote data speeds up to 492 kbps and satellite voice from almost anywhere in the world.

The Inmarsat BGAN satellite network uses a very lightweight satellite terminal which is about the same size as a small laptop personal computer. With the BGAN satellite unit, companies and individual users will have access to corporate networks and the internet, important and private emails, with the ability to transfer and receive large data files.

In addition to the advantages of having access to the vast internet with a BGAN Satellite Terminal, you will also be able to make telephone calls from just about anywhere. Calling from your BGAN satellite terminal is as easy as ABC and allows anyone to call back home or to their head office.

More about BGAN Satellite Terminals - Canada USA Africa UK

What are some benefits of the BGAN satellite terminals?

Broadband wireless IP data and circuit-switched networks

BGAN satellite terminals are small and weighs less than most satellite fixed options

Allows for streaming data speeds up to 256 kbps

BGAN also has satellite terminals with the option for remote access and multi-user connectivity

The ability for the BGAN satellite device to allow simultaneous data and voice traffic

BGAN is currently a very popular satellite voice and data solution for markets that require mobile remote voice and high-speed data communications in areas where voice and data is non-existent.

Although Iridium satellite phones are popular for remote voice and basic text messaging capabilities, industries such as Media that have journalists needing to travel on business must have immediate access to be able to broadcast live stories and news to the public. With Inmarsat’s BGAN streaming capability, these journalists will now have that option.

As with Iridium satellite phones, Government and Military personnel use Inmarsat BGAN satellite devices to send and receive important information from their remote locations. This satellite terminal by Inmarsat offers these Government and Military departments complete and secure access to their emails and other data at speeds far exceeding the Iridium satellite phones.

BGAN satellite by Inmarsat is considered a very powerful remote communications solution for companies with the Energy Industry, Oil and Gas, Mining and Exploration, Industrial, Maritime and Media.

Inmarsat BGAN terminals

BGAN is accessible via small and lightweight satellite terminals, offering performance options to suit various operational requirements.

Thrane & Thrane Explorer 110

The smallest and lightest device in the BGAN range.

Wideye Sabre 1

Voice and data, single-user device.

Explorer 300

Highly compact, robust device.

Explorer 500

High bandwidth and highly portable.

HNS 9201

High-performance, multi-user device.

Explorer 700

Multi-user device with extensive functionality.

BGAN Satellite Vehicular terminals

BGAN Satellite Explorer 527 - High performance, rack-mountable system.

BGAN Satellite HNS 9250 - High bandwidth, multi-user device.

BGAN Satellite Explorer 727 - Multi-user device with extensive functionality.

If you are looking to rent or purchase a BGAN Terminal, make sure the satellite unit is tested prior to shipment. Your BGAN satellite provider should also be able to provide 24/7 support should the users require assistance. Calls from the BGAN Terminal to your satellite phone company should also be free.

One of the major problems with the use of BGAN Terminals whether in Canada, United States, UK, Africa, Europe, is the fact that the tests are usually only conducted by the corporate IT department and not the actual BGAN satellite user.

Although the BGAN satellite unit is pretty simple to use, it’s the initial setup and cost that must be shared prior to leaving for your destination.

Rent or Buy BGAN Terminals and Airtime?

Let’s start of with the option to buy a BGAN Satellite Terminal. What options should one have when looking at various Inmarsat BGAN Units? BGAN Satellite units are very different from Iridium and GlobalStar satellite. I won’t even mention Thuraya Satellite phones as they are more common in places such as Africa and not Canada or the US.

Before you buy a BGAN Satellite Terminal in Canada, UK, or the United States, ask yourself whether your needs are short or of long term use. If it’s for short term then just rent the bgan terminals instead and save on BGAN rental rates.

As for specific BGAN Satellite Terminals, we will start off with the Wideye Sabre 1 bgan satellite terminal which is more for the individual user who’s not planning to do much data with the bgan. Your BGAN Wideye Sabre 1 kit should include the BGAN Terminal, a carry case, USB cables and AC/DC adapters, BGAN Service SIM Card, installation CD and free user manual and a telephone handset for the BGAN Satellite. These should be the basic FREE items included when looking to purchase your Wideye Sabre 1 BGAN.

The typical price range for a BGAN Satellite Wideye Sabre 1 should be no more than $1600 USD.

Your next BGAN Satellite Terminal choice will be the Thrane Explorer 110 or E110 for short. The Thrane Explorer 100 cost you no more than $2800 USD from any satellite phone company. Satellite phone companies will usually give you a huge discount on the BGAN Device if you are looking at choosing a high volume data plan and a term commitment.

Then you have the BGAN Satellite Thrane Explorer 300 with an average cost of $3000 USD. Your Thrane Explorer 300 should have the necessary SIM card and BGAN user guide and manual.

After your Thrane Explorer 300 BGAN unit, you have the Thrane Explorer 500 with an average cost of $3500 from most satellite phone companies. Again, satellite phone companies will normally lower the price of the bgan unit if you are looking at signing a contract and subscribing to a high volume data plan. The Thrane Explorer 500 seems to be the most popular bgan terminal out there now and are mostly used by satellite phone companies in the BGAN Rental pool.

In addition to the BGAN Thrane Explorer 500, there is the BGAN Hughes HNS 9201 satellite unit. This bgan unit usually goes for around $2900 USD or less. Don’t pay more for the BGAN Hughes HNS 9201.

Once you have chosen the BGAN Terminal most suitable for you, then take care to choose the best voice and data plan. Will you need data streaming on your BGAN Terminal? Or, just basic web surfing and small file transfer?

This is just to give you a quick overview of how to purchase a BGAN terminal and what sort of questions to ask satellite phone companies or satcom companies offering Inmarsat BGAN services.

Feel free to send us an email requesting information on BGAN satellite options. For Iridium satellite phone services, you may return to our home page under “Iridium”.

Current BGAN satellite service users might be able to purchase satellite prepaid cards for their units. Just search online in Canada, US or the UK for more free information on these satellite prepaid card options.

Roadpost Inc in Canada offers great rates on their BGAN Satellite device. Visit their corporate website for more information on their BGAN Satellite Services.