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Business Wire, March 10, 2008

Inmarsat, Stratos and Thrane & Thrane to sponsor the premier round-the-world yacht race

LONDON -- Organizers of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 have chosen FleetBroadband to provide essential voice and data connectivity and send high-definition television (HDTV) and rich multimedia content from the vessels.

The advanced capabilities of FleetBroadband, Inmarsat's new maritime broadband service - delivered to the yachts by Stratos mobile satellite services via Thrane & Thrane SAILOR satellite equipment - will allow an expected global audience of more than 1.8 billion people to follow the world's premier yacht race on HDTV, radio and the internet. FleetBroadband, supplemented by Inmarsat Fleet 33 and Inmarsat C services, will also be used to deliver online navigational and weather updates, report vessel position and course heading for teams and race organizers, and provide essential safety communications for the crews competing in one of the world's most dangerous sports.

Inmarsat is to continue its sponsorship as official satellite communications provider; Stratos Global is official sponsor of mobile satellite services; and Thrane & Thrane is official sponsor of satellite and radio communications equipment to Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.

"The clarity of HDTV is about as close as you can get to the race action without being on a competing yacht. It's what the international broadcasters want, it's essential for raising the profile of the race and the sponsors globally, and it can only be sent by FleetBroadband," said Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race. "By choosing FleetBroadband, we have made this the most connected Volvo Ocean Race in its history."

"It's a huge reassurance for the crews to know that with FleetBroadband they are never alone, and that their progress and their stories will reach the teams, sponsors, spectators, and most importantly for them, families," said Knut. "We welcome the involvement of Inmarsat, Stratos and Thrane & Thrane - three names that every sailor will know - as official sponsors of the Volvo Ocean Race, and look forward to a very successful partnership."

Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman and CEO of Inmarsat, said: "The Volvo Ocean Race reflects Inmarsat's values - global, leading from the front, pushing technology to its limits and always striving for excellence. We're building on the success of our previous sponsorship of the race, and are excited that FleetBroadband will have a global platform to demonstrate its power."

Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said: "We are fortunate to be part of the team that will enable the Volvo Ocean Race to benefit from an amazing leap forward in maritime communications technology. The performance and reliability of FleetBroadband is far superior to communications services deployed in past ocean races. We expect it will help bring the excitement and action of this important race to a global audience."

"The Volvo Ocean Race reflects our philosophy of overcoming the challenges of communication in extreme environments, so we are proud that the organisers have chosen us once again as the communications equipment provider," said Walther Thygesen, CEO, Thrane & Thrane A/S. "We will play an important part in the organisation of the race and the safety of the crew and boats. It is the ultimate showcase for SAILOR."

All 39 weekly half-hour TV shows and all eight one-hour summary programmes will be shot in HDTV. Race organisers estimate that 90Gb - the equivalent of 20 DVDs - will be sent from the boats to race headquarters over FleetBroadband. This will be supplemented, as with previous races, by radio interviews, still photographs and text written by the crews - also sent via FleetBroadband and other Inmarsat services.

Launched in November 2007, FleetBroadband provides high-quality voice and broadband data connectivity, accessible simultaneously, through compact domes and below-deck equipment. Inmarsat's first fully IP-based service for maritime use, FleetBroadband supports up to 432kbps of standard IP connectivity, up to 256kbps of guaranteed or 'streaming' IP data, and high-quality voice.

Thrane & Thrane will supply a complete range of SAILOR satellite and radio communication products. Each yacht will be equipped with a FleetBroadband 500, Fleet 33, Inmarsat-C, and additional radio equipment.

Among other value-added services, Volvo Ocean Race crews will have the opportunity to utilize Stratos' popular maritime services AmosConnect and AmosConnect Crew. AmosConnect from Stratos is an easy-to-use, yet highly sophisticated email service that seamlessly integrates email, fax, telex, GSM text, interoffice communication and access for mobile personnel into a single messaging system. AmosConnect Crew is an all-in-one communication solution that enhances crew satisfaction and welfare onboard the vessel.

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organisations, 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 500 distribution partners and service providers operating in 180 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2007, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$ 576.5 million. Please visit www.inmarsat.com for more information.