Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Competitors to Test the Power of Inmarsat FleetBroadband in the Rolex Fastnet Race

Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Competitors to Test the Power of Inmarsat FleetBroadband in the Rolex Fastnet Race

LONDON, August 12, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

Three competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 are using this
year's Rolex Fastnet Race as an opportunity for their media crew members
(MCMs) to practice broadcasting high-definition television (HDTV) and rich
multimedia content to the world's media via the Inmarsat satellite network.

Inmarsat is providing communications throughout the round-the-world
challenge with its FleetBroadband service, the leading voice and broadband
data service used by vessels from pleasure cruisers to super tankers.
Competitors in the upcoming race will be the first to have access to the new
'red button' safety service on FleetBroadband. In addition, the race is
endorsing IsatPhone Pro, Inmarsat's new global satellite phone, by including
it in the boats' safety kits.

Groupama 4, skippered by French sailing legend Franck Cammas, UAE entry
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing with a core of Volvo Ocean Race veterans led by Ian
Walker, and Chinese entry Team Sanya skippered by 2008-09 winner Mike
Sanderson, will all be treating the Rolex Fastnet Race as if it were a short
leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, making it the perfect scenario to not only show
off the boats but their equipment too.

Yann Riou, MCM onboard Groupama 4, said, "The DNA of today's Volvo Ocean
Race is increasingly based around moving images. The role of the Media Crew
Member is to be able to transmit images as well as commentary from the boats
and build a strong story around the race. The opportunity to put the
equipment to the test, as well as my preparation as a broadcaster and
photographer, in the Rolex Fastnet is invaluable."

In recognition of the role broadcast media plays in bringing the
excitement of the race to billions of spectators and delivering millions of
dollars in valuable media coverage for race sponsors, Inmarsat will again
present its Media Crew Member (MCM) Award of 1,000 Euros (US$1,358) on each
leg of the race, plus a 10,000 Euro (US$13,585) prize for the best overall
contribution to race coverage.

Judged to have made the best overall contribution to race coverage over
the ten legs of the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean race, the Inmarsat MCM Award trophy
and 10,000 Euro prize were presented to Rick Deppe of PUMA OCEAN RACING
TEAM. Commenting on the 2011-12 Media Crew Member Award, Deppe said: "The
MCMs know the bar is very high for their work on this race so we can expect
some highly-inventive video filming and story-telling. As the race continues
their confidence with a camera will be able to consistently capture images
that embody the personality of the race and captivate audiences worldwide."

Commenting on Inmarsat's status as Race Partner, Chris McLaughlin, Vice
President of External Affairs, said: "In so many ways Inmarsat's
FleetBroadband has revolutionised the sport of offshore sailing. It has
given a flawless performance in tough conditions delivering reliable and
high-quality material off the boats and to the world's media."

Each Volvo Open 70 race boat will be fitted with a Thrane & Thrane
Sailor FleetBroadband 500 terminal, providing voice and high-speed data
communications. Also onboard will be a compact Sailor FleetBroadband 150 for
crew voice calling and IP data, plus two Sailor Mini-C systems for constant
positioning data and global safety communications. These services are all
provided by the three Inmarsat-4 satellites, the world's most advanced
mobile satellite network with expected life into the 2020s.

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile
satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing
reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments,
enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be
used on land, at sea or in the air. The company's services are delivered
through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service
providers operating in 100 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2010,
Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1
million) with an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million). For
more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.

Source: Inmarsat plc

Media Contact, Chris McLaughlin, Vice President, External Affairs, Inmarsat, Tel : +44-20-7728-1015, Email: chris_mclaughlin@inmarsat.com

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