Inmarsat - MPDS Overview - Stratos Global Corporation

Revised: 13-Nov-07
Inmarsat from Stratos
MPDS Overview
If the expression ‘Information is key’ applies to your
business, Stratos has the solution. Our Global Area
Network (GAN) MPDS service means you can always
be online with your corporate network, Intranet, the
Internet and e-mail. MPDS offers effective 24/7
communication, without geographical restrictions
and at reasonable cost.
What is MPDS
MPDS stands for Mobile Packet Data System. Like
GAN ISDN, it has coverage across virtually the entire
world landmass. The difference is in the costs:
GAN ISDN uses a dedicated line or channel of up to
64kbit/s between your terminal and the satellite. You
are charged for the total length of time for which the
dedicated channel is allocated.
With GAN MPDS your data is packaged up in a way
that allows it to be sent through a channel
simultaneously shared with other applications or
users’ data. As you are only charged for the amount
of data and not for the transmission time, the new
MPDS service is more cost effective for various
transmissions. MPDS is currently only relevant to
data applications and not to voice.
How does it work
MPDS operates on 64kbit/s satellite channels, in both
the to-mobile and from-mobile directions. These
channels are shared among a number of users and
are allocated depending on the level of traffic that is
being generated. The individual terminal sends and
receives data up to 64kbit/s, but only when there is
data to be transferred. During the quiet periods, e.g.
when you are reading a web page or typing an e-
mail, the channels are free to be used by other
mobiles. Only short maintenance bursts are sent to
keep the system informed of the mobile’s status.
What are the advantages of MPDS
Continuous connection - Instant exchange when
generated or needed;
Cost efficiency - Significant savings for certain
applications
Compatibility - MPDS enables access to your
network from virtually anywhere using the same
hardware & software.
Reliability and Flexibility - MPDS offers you the
reliability of the Inmarsat services and gives you the
flexibility to choose between ISDN and MPDS
connections depending on your application.
MPDS extends the GAN ISDN compatibility (for
standard ISDN applications and networks) to IP
compatibility, providing two types of access:
• Public Network Access (e.g. Internet or ISDN)
• Private Network Access (VPN Intranet/corporate
network)
Fully Secured - Tunnelling, IP-Sec protocol,
firewalls.
Which services can you use on MPDS
1. Public Network Access (IP services):
• Intra/Internet access to e-mail and theWorld
Wide Web;
• Connecting to a POP;
• Browsing, Messaging, Webcasting;
• Encryption for transmitting;confidential data
2. Private Network Access (VPN service):
• Tunnels user to corporate gateway: Remote login
for travelling office workers;
• Remote use of company network protocol: LAN
interconnect for realtime database access and
file transfer;
• IT departments can monitor the user
management;
• Security thanks to the IP Sec protocol: This
protocol sets up a secure tunnel through the
public networks. Data is encrypted, passed
through this tunnel, decrypted at the other end
and passed onto the private network. However,
as the data is carried over public networks such

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as the Internet, you should continue to encrypt
your data on the VPN;
• Banking, EDI, Intranet.
3. AmosConnect from Stratos:
• AmosConnect is a high-end e-mail solution that
also provides for integration of telex, fax, e-mail,
interoffice communication and access for mobile
personnel in a single messaging system. By
optimally handling all your mobile/office satellite
communication, AmosConnect offers substantial
cost savings of up to 85%.
4. Stratos TaB:
• TaB allows you to monitor your Stratos Inmarsat
traffic in great detail, both in terms of use
(seconds, bits) and costs (US$, Euro). It also
provides you with the means to flexibly price
your traffic for internal cost control and rebilling
purposes.
What do you need
An MPDS enabled GAN terminal. Existing GAN users
will need to install an MPDS upgrade, new GAN
terminals will already have MPDS installed. However,
in both cases a separate PIN code for MPDS is
required. Please contact your terminal dealer for
details.
About Stratos
Stratos is the world’s trusted leader for vital
communications. With more than a century of
service, Stratos offers the most powerful and
extensive portfolio of remote communications
solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and
microwave services. More than 20,000 customers
use Stratos products and industry-leading valueadded
services to optimize communications
performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international
government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and
gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise,
and media users on seven continents and across the
world’s oceans. For more information visit
www.stratosglobal.com.
For more information please contact Stratos:
Toll Free (N. America): 1 800 563 2255
Worldwide: +1 709 748 4226
TTY: +1 709 748 4884
Fax (Worldwide): +1 709 748 4320
E-mail:
info@stratosglobal.com
Web Site:
www.stratosglobal.com
How can you start an MPDS session
After registration with Stratos, you simply setup a
dial-up connection, type in your username and
password (provided by Stratos) and you are ready to
MPDS.
What does it cost
MPDS is priced per Mbit sent through the network, at
USD 3.95 per Mbit. You only pay for the data you
have transmitted.