Second Inmarsat Global XPress Satellite To Begin Operations This Month

Inmarsat expects to have its Inmarsat-5 F2 satellite operational by the end of July, the company said in a special temporary authority request filed Sunday with the FCC International Bureau. The satellite was launched in February, the second of Inmarsat's Global Xpress constellation of three satellites for its plan to offer a global broadband network expected to go live later this year. In its International Bureau petition, the satellite company said it wants to use its Lino Lakes, Minnesota, earth station for 30 days to connect with the Inmarsat-5 F2 for tracking, telemetry and command functions prior to the satellite starting operational service.