Inmarsat Staggering Price rise

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Yangosat

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Dear All,
For those of you with older Inmarsat equipment, such as Mini-M/F-33/F-55/F-77, be prepared for a very unwelcome surprise in January, as Inmarsat will be raising prices for the following services by 48%, yes thats FORTY EIGHT percent and not a spelling error.

QUOTE
a planned price increase on E&E services, with prices set to go up by 48 per cent as of 1st of January 2014 on services for 2.4 kbps
Fax and Data; 9.6 kbps Fax and Data; ISDN/HSD (64 kbps); MPDS; and F77 128 kbps ISDN
UNQUOTE.
(E&E is Existing and Evolved)

This is the current drive to force commercial vessels to migrate to Inmarsat's newer Fleet BroadBand (FBB) technology, which itself will be victim to Inmarsat's newer technology from next year also.

If you are looking at satellite equipment, then Iridium are also raising prices in the new year, and Thuraya have just raised prices.
But no one can beat Inmarsat and its 48%.
If you do it once, do it big....

best regards
YangoSat.
 
Well, that's my old sat phone system (250) off the boat, was considering it anyway, but now its going, going, gone! Cannot justify those prices and don't need it anyway.
Will be looking at HF from now.
 
Hi ccscott, when you say "old sat phone system (250)" are you talking about a fleet broadband 250? If so, then there has been a statement of no price rises for that range of units for next year.
If it is, and you are still thinking if getting rid of it, then drop me a message.
Cheers
Yangosat
 
Training for ssb is optional, licensing is mandatory but free.

Around £1,000 for a really good ssb system (used) does buy a reasonable amoung of air time on the other hand.
 
geem said:
Just refitting my old furuno set for next years cruise. Can't justify a sat phone but interested in the Inreach system if anybody has any comments?
Click to expand...
We used an Inreach unit on our crossings this year. I would recommend them with a few provisos. Feel free to PM me for details. We may be selling our unit too.
Allan
 
ip485 said:
Training for ssb is optional, licensing is mandatory but free.

Around £1,000 for a really good ssb system (used) does buy a reasonable amoung of air time on the other hand.
Click to expand...

Even if we could find a second hand one (which we couldn't and believe me I tried as I still hanker after an SSB despite the cost) that's two years sat phone use and with it we could give our elderly parents a phone number they can call us on any time wherever we are. The sat phone was worth it for the peace of mind that gives them.
 
PurpleRobbie, Sat-C was not mentioned in the information. I Think that was hammered earlier this year and previous tyear also, although most LES decided to swallow the costs for commercial customers.
According to another provider, Isatphone is not classed as E&E, so is not affected.

It would seem that the SSB V's Satphone debate is as keen as asking "what type of anchor is best"!
A handheld satphone can be found relatively cheaply on Ebay and the like, last iridium 9505 handheld units on Ebay went for around £180. As Sailorgirl suggests, you can have a satphone for incoming calls so relatives can have a direct access to you, should the need arise.
A final point about a handheld sat-phone against an SSB. You cant unplug your SSB and put it in your grab bag in a hurry.

Cheers
Yangosat
 
Even if we could find a second hand one (which we couldn't and believe me I tried as I still hanker after an SSB despite the cost) that's two years sat phone use and with it we could give our elderly parents a phone number they can call us on any time wherever we are. The sat phone was worth it for the peace of mind that gives them.
Click to expand...

Yes, true.

It wasn't easy finding a second hand unit. Strangely they are obviously still popular because they sell quickly, for a good price and are in short supply. I was lucky I guess and found a Icom in perfect condition. Of course the other costs add up. It is as difficult to find an antenna tuner and then there is the wiring and the power supply and the modifications to the back stay. Buying new I doubt there would be much change from £3,000. It is an expensive piece of kit.

A sat phone has enormous utility value and I suspect if it is one or the other the sat phone is the answer. £3,000 or more buys a lot of airtime even at the current prices!

I would like a Fleet Broadband 150 - if anyone knows of a good second hand unit do let me know!
 
Yangosat said:
Dear All,
For those of you with older Inmarsat equipment, such as Mini-M/F-33/F-55/F-77, be prepared for a very unwelcome surprise in January, as Inmarsat will be raising prices for the following services by 48%, yes thats FORTY EIGHT percent and not a spelling error.

QUOTE
a planned price increase on E&E services, with prices set to go up by 48 per cent as of 1st of January 2014 on services for 2.4 kbps
Fax and Data; 9.6 kbps Fax and Data; ISDN/HSD (64 kbps); MPDS; and F77 128 kbps ISDN
UNQUOTE.
(E&E is Existing and Evolved)

This is the current drive to force commercial vessels to migrate to Inmarsat's newer Fleet BroadBand (FBB) technology, which itself will be victim to Inmarsat's newer technology from next year also.

If you are looking at satellite equipment, then Iridium are also raising prices in the new year, and Thuraya have just raised prices.
But no one can beat Inmarsat and its 48%.
If you do it once, do it big....

best regards
YangoSat.
Click to expand...

The latest Inmarsat increase really is staggering, making a mere 48% increase toytown - from our Fleet Broadband provider this week.....



Subject: Inmarsat FleetBroadband Standard Plan, Price Increase

Following information provided by Inmarsat we are writing to you to advise that they are increasing prices and the data allowance of the FleetBroadband Standard Plan, effective 1st January2015.

Key points :

· The monthly subscriptions fee for all Standard Plan users will change to the new pricing as of 1st January 2015.

· Existing SIMs on any of the 200MB, 2GB, 6GB and AYCE Package Rate Plans will continue to be charged as per their existing T & Cs’s.

· After 1st January 2015 all current FB plans close for new activations, except AYCE which closes 1st of April 2015.


As a result of this, ************ is updating our pricing to reflect the changes made by Inmarsat.

The effect on the prices charged by us to you is summarised as follows as from

1st January 201 5 The Monthly Fee for the Standard Plan,will increase by $222.00 USD to $380.00 USD per Month

The monthly inclusive data allowance is increasing from 10MB to 20MB.

Other pricing is changing and the revised tariff is on the reverse of this letter with increased rates highlighted.

We would stress that this change is being driven by Inmarsat and we have no alternative but to pass cost increases on to our customers. We have made Inmarsat aware that we, on behalf of our customers, are very concerned about this further increase in price but we have not had any indication of a change in strategy from them.

If you are concerned about this increase then please feel free to contact us as we will be very pleased to look at whether you are on the most appropriate rate plan or whether you are using the most cost effective communication system. Please send your details to us on email ************ and we will arrange to contact you.
 
FBB prices were promised to remain without change for 2014, after uproar in the commercial markets. So they scheduled price increases for 1st January 2015.
The idea behind the FBB increases, as previously predicted, is to drive users from the 'Pay As You Go' or very low plans to either the new 'leisure' plans with restricted hardware, or to migrate people up to the old '2Gb' per month plan, which now has double the data at virtually no price increase. If you are on Standard plan contract or above, then you stay with what you have until your contract renews, unless you renew early and get the new packages, and prices.

The man behind all of this pricing nightmare had a very sudden departure from his job as president of Maritime products at Inmarsat. The person who has replaced him should hopefully bring some stability and trust back to the brand, within the maritime market.

I shan't comment on a competitors pricing, always good to know, but please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss them.

Iridium have an offer at the moment where if you sign up to their 200Mb plans, you get double data for 12 months. Its on a 3 month notice contract, so not a bad bargain.
Thuraya also have a maritime product, and they have some good offer bundles at the moment. Just have to be within their footprint to benefit.

cheers
YangoSat
 
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