Explorer 727- Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BGAN?
2. What are the features of the Explorer 727?
3. How do I make a call to my BGAN?
4. How does BGAN compare with other satellite networks?
5. Why can’t I register on the network?
6. Why can’t I get a GPS lock?
7. Is streaming data connection faster?
8. Can I use Skype with my BGAN?
9. Does my BGAN work in the USA?
10. What is Forced Routing?

1. What is BGAN?
Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service is a high-speed wireless data service with voice, ISDN, standard IP data internet access, and streaming IP data accessible via a small portable satellite device. Service can be purchased as prepaid or with various flexible pay-as-you-go plans.

Circuit-switched services:
» Basic telephony (4kbit/s toll quality with Voicemail)
» ISDN: 64 kbps data
» ISDN: 3.1 Khz Audio (Premium Voice)

Short Messaging Services (SMS)

Streaming IP data: 32 kbps, 64 kbps, 128 kbps, 256 kbps

2. What are the features of the Explorer 727?
The Thrane & Thrane Explorer 727 offers class II speeds of up to 432kbps using standard IP internet access and 32 kbps, 64 kbps, 128 kbps, or 256 kbps streaming IP data. The Explorer 727 is a land mobile BGAN designed to be mounted on a vehicle. It has a low profile tracking antenna that acquires and tracks the BGAN satellite while a vehicle is in motion. It can be powered by a 12V or 24V DC source, such as a vehicle battery. The standard IP data performance is offered on a shared bandwidth best effort basis. Please ensure that you have the latest software on your BGAN. Outfitter Satellite can advise you on the latest software for your BGAN type and how to get any necessary update.

3. How do I call my BGAN terminal?
From a landline, you can make an international direct dialed call to the Inmarsat 870 country code. The calling party pays their own international carrier. International direct dialing can be very expensive (some users have reported $10 to $20 per minute).

Outfitter Satellite can activate a U.S. area code phone number for your BGAN for a fixed monthly fee with a fixed per minute charge, regardless of where your BGAN is located. Please call Outfitter Satellite for details. The service can take several days to provision.

4. How does BGAN compare to other satellite networks?
» VOICE SERVICES: If basic voice service is all that is wanted, then Iridium and Thuraya offer small portable handsets. BGAN also offers voice service and that service would tend to be more reliable and have very few call drops compared to Iridium or Thuraya. A land portable BGAN has the disadvantage that its antenna must be pointed at a fixed position in the sky during calls whereas the Iridium or Thuraya phones use omni-directional antennas and can be moved around.

» DATA SERVICES: Customers needing broadband internet access should in most cases choose BGAN over Iridium and Thuraya. More expensive tracking antenna BGAN systems are available if broadband is needed while in a moving vehicle. Iridium handsets such as the Iridium 9555 offer 2.4 kbps and Thuraya handsets offer 9.6 kbps which compare very poorly to Inmarsat BGAN standard IP data rates that can reach up to 492 kbps. BGAN also compares favorably to older Inmarsat systems such as Inmarsat M4 (GAN) that offered voice and 64 kbps ISDN in a larger though portable terminal.

If higher bandwidth is needed than offered by BGAN, VSAT equipment offers much higher bandwidth than any mobile satellite service like BGAN, but VSAT systems are bulkier and usually not designed for easy portability. VSAT systems that have auto-acquire features and that are portable are very expensive.

5. Why can’t I register on the network?
There are a few reasons why you may not be able to register on the network. Your BGAN unit must find your GPS position. You will know that you have a new GPS location when GPS New is found in the connected to window of the LaunchPad software. All of the units have should be laid down flat so they can receive the GPS signal.

6. Why can’t I get a GPS lock?
All BGAN terminals need to be lying flat so they can acquire a new GPS location. This procedure can take up to 10 minutes to acquire a GPS Location. Once you have a new GPS location you can move to the pointing stage of registering the unit on the network. You will know that you have a new GPS location when GPS New is found in the Connected to window of the LaunchPad software.

7. Is Streaming IP data faster?
No, generally Standard IP data is faster, though in a heavily contested environment this may not be true. The reason for Streaming IP data is that the connection has a quality of service (QoS) control or guaranteed data rate. This makes Streaming IP suitable for certain types of applications that need QoS such as video calls. The QoS on the data rate only applies to the space leg of the data call. After the data stream leaves the Inmarsat point of presence (POP), there is no QoS unless a dedicated line or ISDN service is configured for the leg of the call from the Inmarsat POP to the end user's final destination. This must be done by arrangements through Outfitter Satellite. Setting up a dedicated line can take 6 weeks or more to provision so please allow for this. If ISDN is used for the last leg from the POP to your location, two BRI ISDN lines provisioned through your local telco are required to carry a 256 kbps stream. A single BRI ISDN line can carry up to 128 kbps streaming IP. Once this is done, call Outfitter Satellite and we will reconfigure your streaming service to route to the ISDN lines. The ISDN solution also requires a special router at your end destination location to MUX the multiple 64 kbps ISDN B channels into a 128 kbps or 256 kbps stream.

8. Can I use Skype with my BGAN?
Yes, Skype and some other VOIP services will work over a BGAN. Please be aware that the Skype software is designed to use as much bandwidth as available to provide the best possible voice quality. This has two implications. First, Skype may take so much of the available BGAN bandwidth that other concurrently running applications such as opening a web page will greatly slow down, and may come to a complete halt. Second, BGAN charges are based on Megabytes sent/received. Skype can use a Megabyte or more per minute of conversation.

9. Does my BGAN work in the USA?
Yes, BGAN does work within the US. Forced Routing (see below) may apply.

10. What is Forced Routing?
On July 31, 2008 Inmarsat turned on forced routing for BGAN traffic originating within the United States. What this means is that traffic will be routed through Southbury, CT so that the U.S. agencies can have the ability to monitor calls. Data calls that are force routed may have slightly longer packet delay times. Terminals equipped with Public Static IP service will in some cases be required to use a different Static IP address in the US from that used outside of the US. A single SIM card can be configured with a US and non-US static IP address. For assistance contact Outfitter Satellite.