Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) → Παγκόσμιο ευρυζωνικό δίκτυο, Παγκόσμιο δίκτυο ευρείας ζώνης, Παγκόσμιο δίκτυο ευρείας περιοχής
A Broadband Global Area Network or BGAN for short, is a form of Satellite internet and telephony provided by INMARSAT. The system uses two geostationary satellites with additional satellites planned to be launched in 2007/2008 to increase coverage to global. The system will then cover all parts of the world except for polar regions.
Downlink speeds are up to 492kb/s and upload speeds slightly lower at 300-400kb/s but with PEP software or other TCP packet accelerators you can exceed those speeds.
The terminals have many capabilities each with different costs associated with them. The main two that apply to basic BGAN usage are Telephone Voice and Background IP data. Voice is on average $0.99 per min. and costs can vary based on type of calls are made (Land lines, Cell phones, other Satellite phones) Data can run anywhere from $5.00-$10.00 per MB depending on what service provider is used. The advantage of BGAN over other satellite systems is that the terminal is portable, can be easily set up by anyone, and is the only portable satellite system on the market that has this high of quality and speed for both voice and data services. It works on the L band, avoiding rain fade and other issues of traditional larger satellite systems.
There are some quirks to the BGAN (like all satellite based communication) the main one being need for a view of the satellite. Since BGAN works on geostationary satellites - as long as users know the general direction, they can get on the network. The terminals help connect easily as well, with most giving a beep tone and sliding scale power bar to find the satellite and get a strong signal. Then usually with the touch of one button, the terminal auto-negotiates with the satellite and connects. The average pointing time for a BGAN unit is 2 minutes, under a minute with an experienced user and a good signal. BGAN is being used in the world today for disaster response, telemedicine, business continuity, military use, and recreational use.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband_Global_Area_Network