Inmarsat BGAN - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BGAN?
2. What data rates are available?
3. How do I call my BGAN?
4. How does BGAN compare with competitor offerings?
5. Why can’t I register on the network?
6. Are there any Best Practices that Outfitter Satellite recommends to keep costs down?
7. Is streaming data connection faster?
8. Does my BGAN work in the USA?
9. What is Forced Routing?
10. What is the best method of videoconferencing over BGAN?
11. My BGAN cannot make voice calls. What do I do?
12. I have a BGAN PREPAID account. How do I get my existing balance?

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

Below we have listed links with a brief description of several important BGAN terminal models:

AddValue Wideye Sabre I Land Portable Terminal
Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER^TM 100 Land Portable Terminal
Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER^TM 300 Land Portable Terminal
Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER^TM 500 Land Portable Terminal
Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER^TM 700 Land Portable Terminal
Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER^TM 727 Vehicular BGAN System
Hughes Network Systems HNS-9201 Land Portable Terminal

2. What data rates are available?
There are different classes of Inmarsat BGAN service. The fastest is class I offers up to 492 kbps standard IP internet access. The standard IP data performance is offered on a shared bandwidth best effort basis. In lightly contested environments, Outfitter Satellite's measurements typically find that Standard IP performance is 350 to 400 kbps.

Streaming IP data is useful for certain applications such as VPN or video conferencing where a guaranteed data rate is necessary (Quality of Service, QoS). Inmarsat BGAN also offers Streaming IP data. A Class I BGAN offers 32 bps, 64 kbps, 128 kbps, 176 kbps, 256 kbps and Xstream (sometimes described as 384 kbps) Streaming IP data. Unlike Standard IP data which is billed based on the number of megabytes transferred, Streaming IP data is billed per minute of connection time. Streaming IP data has a QoS for the space leg of the data path, but if no special arrangements are made the data stream goes over the terrestrial internet after leaving the Inmarsat Point of Presence (PoP) for which there is no QoS assurance. Outfitter Satellite recommends that users using Streaming IP data, arrange for a dedicated line or other high performance data service from the PoP to the end destination. To do this, call Outfitter Satellite for assistance. Additional service fees will apply.

3. How do I call my BGAN terminal?
Fixed-to-mobile calls to your BGAN can be done in three ways:

International direct dialing to the 870 Inmarsat country code: International direct dialing can be very expensive. Some users have reported $10 to $20 per minute. The rate for the call is determined by your own international long distance carrier, not Outfitter Satellite.
Two-stage access: Outfitter Satellite offers MobileLink two-stage service. To use MobileLink, dial toll free 877-202-0367 (or for international callers, dial 718-269-7806 in the US). Then select English and enter the MobileLink code of the BGAN and press #. To get the MobileLink code for your BGAN, call Outfitter Satellite. Some BGAN SIMs cannot use MobileLink but other alternatives may be available. Please allow 24-48 hours for provisioning.
Single-stage access: Single stage is a dedicated U.S. phone number for your BGAN. A monthly service fee applies. A fixed per minute usage cost will be billed by Outfitter Satellite to your BGAN account.

4. How does BGAN compare to other satellite networks?
» VOICE SERVICES: Inmarsat, Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya offer small portable handsets. The IsatPhone PRO that uses Inmarsat GSPS (Global Satellite Phone Service) launched in 2010 and was the first handheld satellite phone offered by Inmarsat. Iridium offers global coverage. Thuraya offers regional coverage especially in northern Africa and the Middle East and has the smallest handset size.

Though most users that are primarily interested in voice communications select one of the above satellite phone handset, you can use an Inmarsat BGAN terminal for voice communication. Various BGAN terminals have various options including wireless Bluetooth handsets and RJ-11 ports for conventional phone or fax equipment.   Inmarsat BGAN offers very reliable voice calling and the possibility of very long duration calls without (or with very few) call drops. Inmarsat BGAN also offers Premium Voice with very high sound quality, as is sometimes needed for secure communications.

» DATA SERVICES: Customers needing broadband internet access should in most cases choose BGAN over Iridium, Globalstar or Thuraya.   Iridium handsets such as the Iridium 9555 or Iridium 9575 Extreme 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.    Thuraya also has a GmPRS option “always on” internet service offered on a best-effort basis with best case data speeds up to15 kbps upload and 60 kbps download.

By comparison, Inmarsat BGAN offers Standard IP data up to 492 kbps, Streaming IP data up to 384 kbps, and 64 kbps ISDN.   Various BGAN terminals also have features such as WLAN (or Wi-Fi access), Ethernet Ports, and USB ports.   If you are in a moving land vehicle, Inmarsat BGAN systems with tracking antennas are available that provide broadband data while in motion.

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. A common problem is that the Inmarsat BGAN terminal needs a new GPS fix.    If you are using the Inmarsat LaunchPad software, the GPS Status should be shown in LaunchPad.   All Inmarsat 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 LauchPad software.

Outfitter Satellite has a variety of trouble shooting guides depending on the BGAN model that you are using. Please call.

6. Are there any Best Practices that Outfitter Satellite recommends to keep costs down?
Here are several recommendations:

Outfitter Satellite recommends that most customers use prepaid BGAN services. This assures that unexpected usage beyond your budget does not occur. If you do not use prepaid BGAN service, we can also use traffic monitors to help monitor usage (limitations apply).
We recommend that you employ the optional TCP Accelerator which improves transfer rates and reduces time delay.
Web browsing is often a source of unexpectedly high data usage. Here are some pointers:

Use web caching so that you do not download the same graphics over and over. Turn off automatic cache or history deletion. Increase cache volume to the maximum recommended by your browser. The method for increasing the cache on several popular browsers is shown below..
Most browsers have settings that let you play animated graphics or shut off the animated graphics. We recommend you turn off animated graphics. You may want to turn off sounds on web pages.
It is possible to set your browser so that pictures do not show (by default). If you need to see a picture. If you do not mind just reading text, this will reduce your costs dramatically.

When you are finished with your online internet session, you should hit the "Disconnect" button on LaunchPad. Outfitter Satellite recommends you turn the Inmarsat BGAN terminal off to be certain that no unexpected usage occurs.

Setting the Cache in Your Browser:

For Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to the TOOLS menu. Select INTERNET OPTIONS. Under the GENERAL TAB click the SETTINGS button in Browsing History section. Set the cache to at least 1024 MB and select Automatic.
For Mozilla FireFox go to the Menu drop down box and select OPTIONS. In that menu you will again see OPTIONS, select it. Finally under the NETWORK TAB, check "Override" and set the cache to 1024 MB.

7. Is Streaming IP data faster?
No, on a class I BGAN, 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 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. Once this is done, call Outfitter Satellite and we will reconfigure your streaming service to route to those 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. Does my BGAN work in the USA?
Inmarsat BGAN does work within the United States. If you have BGAN Prepaid service, voice service does not work inside the United States because of ongoing patent litigation. Also, Forced Routing may apply in the United States. Typically, this means that a special APN value must be used to route data traffic so that it can be monitored by U.S. authorities.

9. What is Forced Routing?
On July 31, 2008 Inmarsat turned on forced routing for BGAN traffic originating within the United States. Since then other countries including Russia, China, and Australia have imposed their own forms of Forced Routing for Inmarsat BGAN terminals operating within their territories. Sometimes we have observed that users operating very near the border of these countries are impacted.

In the U.S., Forced Routing means 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.

If you are using a Public Static IP service within a country that requires Forced Routing, it may be necessary to have a different Static IP address when operating inside that country . A single SIM card can be configured with various static IP addresses. For assistance contact Outfitter Satellite.

10. What is the best method of videoconferencing over BGAN?
SKYPE: Skype and some other VOIP services will work over a BGAN. 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.

DIGIGONE: A much more economical videoconferencing software called DigiGone Secure Chat is available. DigiGone Secure Chat allows you to set the maximum bandwidth and framerate being used. Outfitter Satellite has found that very reasonable videoconferencing over Inmarsat BGAN can be achieved by setting the bandwidth to 100 kbps. DigiGone has a "push to talk" feature that allows bandwidth needed to transmit audio (typically 10-15 kbps) to be cut out when any given participant is not speaking. DigiGone is compatible with Windows and selected smartphones. All that is needed is a camera and a microphone.

11. I am unable to make BGAN voice calls. What do I do?
As long as your rate plan is configured to allow voice calls and your BGAN is registered on the network, you should be able to make voice calls. You do not need to have a Standard IP data session or Streaming IP data session to make voice calls. (For LaunchPad users) immediately after the BGAN registers with the network, the "Status" indicator on LaunchPad will become: “Registered with network. Ready for phone, text, and data.” (If you are using the LaunchPad software to control your BGAN.) If you are start a Standard IP data session, your "Status" indicator will become: “Standard Data connection open. Ready for Phone, Text,and Data.”. In either case you can make voice calls. If your status does not show registered, we recommend you make sure you have a current GPS fix and you have pointed the antenna to have the minimum signal strength needed (as per the User Manual for the BGAN terminal you are using). Then attempt to register.

HNS TERMINAL ADAPTER ISSUES: If you have an HNS-9201 or EXPLORER 100, you may be using an HNS Terminal Adapter connected on the ISDN port to make voice calls. This device has a Tel1 and a Tel2 RJ-11 port that can be configured for either 4k speech (low speed) or 3.1 kHz audio (also called premium voice). Though the HNS Terminal Adapter is a reliable voice product, there are several issues that occur:

One issue is that the HNS-9201 will power down the ISDN port after a time if it detects that it is not in use; this is done to reduce energy usage by users that are not using the ISDN port. If this is the problem, you can use LaunchPad under the Terminal menu to select "ISDN Interface Settings" to re-enable the port. Power cycling the HNS-9201 will also turn on the ISDN port. If you connect the HNS Terminal Adapter before or shortly after you power up the terminal, the HNS-9201 will not turn off the ISDN port.
As was mentioned above, the Tel1 and Tel2 ports can be configured. This is described in the manual that comes with the terminal adapter. You may need reset the terminal adapter to its default settings for the Tel1 and Tel2 ports. To do this simply connect an ordinary analog (POTS) phone to either port and enter: *93*# and then hangup. For 4k speech enter: *93*2# and then hangup. For 3.1k Audio enter: *93*1# and then hangup. Remember 3.1 kHz audio or premium voice is much more expensive per minute and in many plans is not enabled. For additional information please consult the user manual.

BGAN PREPAID PLAN ISSUES: If you are using a BGAN Prepaid plan, mobile-originated phone calls are not allowed within the United States or its territories due to a patent lawsuit. (This is correct as of February 2012 but may change if the lawsuit is resolved). If you are outside of the United States with a BGAN Prepaid make sure you have a non-zero prepaid balance.

12. I have a BGAN PREPAID account. How do I get my existing balance?
There are two kinds of prepaid service available for BGAN through Outfitter Satellite: 1) Universal Card Accounts and 2) BGAN PREPAID (or True Prepaid).

UNIVERSAL CARD ACCOUNTS: Universal Card accounts have a monthly fee and offer postpaid voice (optional) but prepaid Standard IP data. This means that when your Universal Card Account reaches a zero balance, even though you cannot get an internet connection, you can still make phone calls, e.g. to reload your account. If you are using a Universal Card Account, each time you start an internet session on the BGAN and open a web browser a pop-up panel called the Data Manager Live will appear and display your prepaid account balance in kilobytes. Be sure to disable pop-up blocking on your browser. 1 MB = 1012 KB.

BGAN PREPAID ACCOUNTS: If you have a BGAN Prepaid Account, there are several ways we can keep a zero balance from sneaking up on you. If you have the voice handset for your BGAN, you can check your prepaid balance for free by dialing “*106#”. You will be given the prepaid balance in IPU (Inmarsat Prepaid Units). Simply divide the IPU number by 9.1 to get your current MB balance. Unfortunately, this procedure does NOT work within the U.S. Upon request, we can setup a monitor on your account to tell us when you use up 50% and 75% of your balance and automatically send you and email. Give us an email address that you will be monitoring from the BGAN or another authorized user is monitoring over the terrestrial internet. If you authorized purchasing RELOAD vouchers against your credit card on your service contract, just call or email us to purchase an additional voucher to be applied to your prepaid account.