Inmarsat & IMSO

Inmarsat (originally the International Maritime Satellite Organization) is a telecommunications company, offering global mobile services, primarily via geo-synchronous satellites. Established in 1979 at the behest of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it is strongly focused on the maritime community, although it now provides telecommunications services to governments, aid agencies, media outlets, airlines, and businesses that require communications to mobile sites or to remote locations. With high-speed broadband coverage to the entire world, except for the polar regions, it allows for rapid and relatively low-cost electronic communications for exchange of voice, data, or video transmissions. As a public service, Inmarsat also distributes Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) communications at no charge. Ship owners and operators increasing rely on Inmarsat for routine communications with their vessels. Many fleets are also making Inmarsat telephonic communications available to crew members, allowing individuals to remain to contact with their families. The Inmarsat satellites are some of the largest commercial telecommunications satellites ever launched. When the International Maritime Satellite Organization was converted from a not-for-profit international organization in 1999, it split into the large commercial group – Inmarsat – and a smaller regulatory body – the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). The IMSO is the intergovernmental organization that oversees certain public satellite safety and security communication services provided via Inmarsat satellites. Among other things, the IMSO acts as the International Coordinator for the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system. IMSO was created by the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization, 1979, as amended in 1998. There are presently 94 Member States that are party to the Convention.