ABSTRACT
This chapter looks in detail at the International Maritime Satellite Organization (Inmarsat) which, through the establishment and use of several geostationary satellites, covering four ocean regions, provides global communications for mobile users. Whilst Inmarsat was originally established to serve the communication needs of the international maritime industry, the organization’s sphere of influence has now been extended to aeronautical, vehicular and land-based mobile systems. The Inmarsat communications system is the product of extraordinary co-operation between commercial companies, government authorities and telecommunications organizations around the world. These bodies are all part of the Inmarsat system partnership and they include the following.
