Satellite firm sells technology to miners in RP

MANILA, Philippines - London-based mobile satellite communications firm Inmarsat plc is banking on the steady growth of the Philippine mining industry, which it is targeting for its broadband service. In an interview Wednesday, officials from Inmarsat and partner Vizada Solutions noted that as the mining industry of the country — the world’s fifth richest in minerals — starts to grow, more companies will find the need to use Inmarsat’s broadband global area network technology, which allows Internet connectivity in 95% of the globe. "The mining industry will further develop because the Philippines has a lot of potential," Inmarsat Account Manager Noemi de Rozieres said. The company’s BGAN technology allows users to connect up to 11 people at a time to the Internet at speeds of as high as 492 kilobytes per second, anywhere in the globe using a mobile device tracked by three satellites that cover 95% of the earth’s surface. Vivian Quenet, Vizada chief representative for Asia Pacific, Japan and Korea, said the BGAN devices would improve the operational efficiency of mining companies working in an archipelago like the Philippines, where mining exploration teams are often deployed to areas where telecommunication infrastructure may be inadequate. Mr. Quenet said their network could be used anywhere as long as there is a clean line of sight to the sky. He said mining company executives in the country often complain about the lack of network coverage from local telecommunication providers. Ms. De Rozieres and Mr. Quenet will be in Manila until Friday to market their product to mining firms attending a mining conference in Pasay City. Ms. De Rozieres said other sectors that may find their technology useful include the maritime industry, groups providing relief work to remote areas and media organizations. There are 20,000 BGAN devices around the world today, used by Australian mining firms and global ship liners. — Paolo Luis G. Montecillo, BusinessWorld