Oct 24, 2011, post by admin
One Horizon Group, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Horizon Globex is unveiling Horizon Call, a smartphone app for the most bandwidth-efficient mobile VoIP at ITU Telecom World.
The rise in mobile data traffic resulting from the rapid adoption of smartphones, mobile and video apps has placed tremendous pressure on operators’ networks, causing a noticeable increase in dropped calls.
Based on the company’s SmartPacket™ technology, Horizon enables mobile VoIP from only 2kbps compared to around 8kbps from other services. It is fully compatible with digital telecommunications standards and is capable of interconnecting any phone system over IP – over mobile, fixed and satellite networks.
The Horizon Call app operates over EDGE, 3G, 4G/LTE, WiFi and WiMax networks and is initially available for the iPhone. Horizon uses wireless bandwidth much more efficiently than other mobile VoIP apps, particularly in the way it handles silence. Other VoIP services send the same amount of data in both directions regardless of whether someone is speaking or not. Horizon detects silence and uses significantly less data. In addition, the app offers the unique feature of allowing users to select from three different levels of call quality for optimal balance between quality and consumed bandwidth.
Other VoIP apps are also a potential threat to mobile operators’ call revenues. The Horizon model is to partner with mobile operators to allow them to take the Horizon Call app to market, decide strategically how to position it within their portfolio, how to commercialise it, to customise it with their own branding and to control call routing to retain PSTN revenues.
“Our Horizon Call app couldn’t come at a better time to help mobile operators address the explosive growth in mobile data traffic,” said Mark White, CEO, One Horizon Group. “And our model presents them with an option to compete against other mobile VoIP apps, while also helping to reduce call dropping and ultimately churn.”
Horizon Globex will be unveiling the Horizon Call app at ITU Telecom World in Geneva, from 24-27 October, in the Smart Work Pavilion, stand 4270.03.
About One Horizon Group Plc
One Horizon Group’s business is to optimise communications over the internet. It is the parent company of Horizon Globex and SatCom Global. Horizon Globex develops the Group’s Horizon solution which is the world’s most bandwidth-efficient VoIP platform and also offers a range of optimised data applications. SatCom Global is one of world’s leading mobile satellite communications providers. It provides services from Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya and VSAT operators. The Group has operations in the UK, USA, Switzerland, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. For more information on the company, its products and services, please visit www.onehorizongroup.com
Oct 17, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
Throughout U.S. history, advances in military capability have been fueled by innovation. All branches of the military consistently have managed to use technology in new and creative ways to gain an edge over the enemy. The wars of the past decade exposed an “innovation gap” that forced the U.S. military to play catch up, and react to enemy tactics — such as roadside bombs and sniper attacks — rather than anticipating them. The Defense Department’s research-and-development apparatus was slow to respond with new and improved weapons based on changing threats.
Source: www.nationaldefensemagazine.org
Jul 14, 2011, post by admin
TS2, a Polish company providing military satellite services, has joined the group of authorized distributors of Inmarsat. With the agreement the offer range can be extended with highly advanced Inmarsat satellite communications technologies.
At present, TS2 offers the following Inmarsat products:
IsatPhone – mobile satellite phone
A lightweight, pocket-size dual-mode satellite and GSM 900 mobile phone, with an easy to use icon-driven menu and a full range of accessories. The service is available across Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the Inmarsat-4 Indian Ocean satellite and is expected to go global in 2009.
LandPhone – fixed satellite phone
A low-cost, fixed voice service, which can be used indoors or outdoors as a private or business telephone, or as a payphone-type solution in conjunction with prepay cards. Connects to a standard telephone and remote antenna, and is currently available across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN)
Delivers simultaneous voice and broadband data communications via a lightweight, notebook-size device. Provides seamless network coverage across most of the world’s landmass and offers Standard IP at speeds up to 492kbps and “on-demand” Streaming IP at up to 256kbps.
FleetBroadband 500, 250 and 150
Our most advanced maritime service is designed to provide cost-effective, high-speed data and voice communications, including simultaneous voice and data, Standard IP with speeds of up to 432kbps over a shared channel, ISDN at 64kbps, and streaming data up to 256kbps.
Fleet 77, 55 and 33
These three maritime services offer a combination of global voice and fax communications, Mobile ISDN data at 64kbps and 128kbps, and our original always-on IP-based Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) for email, web browsing and other office applications.
FleetPhone – maritime satellite phone
A low-cost phone service ideal for smaller vessels, consisting of below-decks equipment with an integrated voice handset connected to an omni-directional antenna. Available now in the Inmarsat-4 Indian Ocean Region and going global in 2009.
SwiftBroadband
Designed to meet the high-speed data communications needs of passengers, cabin crew and pilots in airliners, business jets and government aircraft. Offers a package of simultaneous voice and data, plus contended IP-based data up to 432kbps per channel and 64kbps ISDN.
Swift 64
Provides bandwidth for applications such as high-quality voice, email, internet and intranet access, and videoconferencing, via its Mobile ISDN and IP-based Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) offerings.
Inmarsat A
The original Inmarsat system, which was withdrawn from service at the end of 2007. Based on analogue techniques, it provided global two-way telephony, facsimile, data and telex communications to the maritime community for a quarter of a century.
Inmarsat B
The first digital successor to Inmarsat A, capable of high-quality telephony, facsimile, data and telex services, and compatible with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Inmarsat C and Mini C
A digital system based on a low-cost satellite terminal, providing two-way store-and-forward messaging, distress calling, EGC SafetyNET™ and FleetNET™, data reporting and polling. The system is approved for use under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and mandatory for Solas-compliant ships operating outside Navtex coverage areas.
IsatM2M
A two-way burst messaging service enabling a wide range of machine-to-machine applications for tracking and monitoring remote fixed or mobile assets on a global basis – whether on land, at sea or in the air.
Inmarsat D+
The predecessor to IsatM2M. A two-way data communications service that uses very small equipment, with integrated GPS, for data transfer, remote monitoring, tracking and tracing.
Inmarsat M
The first briefcase satphone, introduced in 1993. Also available in the maritime market, as a smaller, digital alternative to Inmarsat B, offering two-way voice telephony, distress alerting, fax and data services at lower data rates.
Mini M
Introduced in 1995, based on digital technology and capable of two-way voice telephony, alerting, fax and data services. Operates only in the reduced coverage offered by the Inmarsat-3 spot beams, but its notebook size has made it one of the most popular Inmarsat services on land and at sea.
GAN
A precursor to BGAN, the Global Area Network (GAN) service offers high-quality voice, plus a combination of the 64kbps Mobile ISDN and packet-based MPDS data services via a portable terminal.
R-BGAN
An IP-based entry level device within the BGAN range of terminals. It was formerly known as Regional BGAN. Inmarsat chose Hughes Network Systems (HNS) for the development and production work associated with the Regional BGAN network, including the R-BGAN satellite IP modem, which provides data only packet-data connectivity. This service was withdrawn at the end of 2008.
Aero H / H+
Supports multi-channel voice, fax and data communications at speeds up to 9.6kbps anywhere in the global (hemispherical) beams of Inmarsat’s satellites.
Aero I
Brings multi-channel voice, fax and data at up to 4.8kbps to corporate aircraft, military transports and regional airliners through smaller, cheaper terminals.
Aero L
Provides airline and government operators with global, real-time, two-way data communications, principally to support air traffic control and airline operations.
Mini M Aero
Suited to border patrol, coastguard, emergency services and remote-area operations applications. Supports a single channel for voice, fax or 2.4kbps PC data, SIM-card capability and STU-III encrypted voice.
Aero C
For non-safety-related text or data messages from anywhere in the world. With integrated GPS, it can be readily installed in corporate and general-aviation aircraft and helicopters, and offers two-way store-and-forward data communications, messaging, polling and position-reporting.
