Sasken moves ahead in satellite communications

BANGALORE, INDIA: Sasken Communication Technologies, an embedded communications solutions company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, to complete development of the next generation global satellite hand-held phone.

Sasken and Inmarsat have worked together for more than five years in the area of mobile satellite communications, said a press release.

Inmarsat has chosen Sasken to design and bring into pre-production the complete phone, which would include the hardware component comprising design, development and testing of antenna RF and mechanical elements and the software component comprising protocol, stacks, application framework and test lab offerings.

The handset would undergo the necessary certification processes confirming its fitness for the global market.

This engagement is a first for an Indian company to be involved from the design phase up to producing pre-production units, the release added. This program also demonstrates Sasken`s multisite cross functional integration capability to combine its hardware and software development centers across the globe.

“Sasken offers expertise in communication technology along with their capability and experience in wireless terminal development. They will make a strong partner,” said Perry Melton, Inmarsat COO.

“We will work closely with Sasken in the design and development of our satellite phone to offer a new compelling product in our broad portfolio of services over the Inmarsat network,” he added.

“Sasken's unique strength is its stability to connect all constituents of the communication value chain, which enables it to provide higher value to its customers,” said Rajiv Mody, chairman and CEO, Sasken.