Inmarsat and Astrium have reached a strategic distribution partnership agreement which will see Global Xpress services made available to Astrium Services' large partner and customer base.

Astrium Services will deliver Global Xpress high-speed broadband services through its worldwide distribution channels. The strategic agreement will cover key vertical markets, including the maritime, as well as the government and defence sector, initially in Europe. In due course the Astrium Services Global Xpress offering will encompass all service types - packaged services, bandwidth capacity, as well as commercial and military Ka-band.

Inmarsat's Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network will provide a seamless worldwide broadband service. The first Global Xpress satellite was successfully launched on 8 December 2013 and the company is on schedule to achieve full global coverage by the end of 2014. Astrium Services' customers will benefit not only from the world's first globally available mobile broadband network, but also from a comprehensive range of global connectivity services designed for commercial and government markets.

"This agreement is the natural continuity of a long-standing partnership between Astrium Services and Inmarsat," Evert Dudok, CEO of Astrium Services said. "Astrium Services has been Inmarsat's number one distribution partner since we acquired Vizada in December 2011. We are eager to continue this strong relationship by bringing the benefits of Global Xpress to our customers using our satcom expertise."

By adding Global Xpress to its portfolio, Astrium Services will also enable its partners and customers to further enhance their business capabilities and growth.

Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat said: "We are delighted that Astrium has committed to continue its long and valued partnership with Inmarsat into the Global Xpress era. Global Xpress is going to change the game in mobile satellite connectivity and we are delighted that Astrium Services is joining us in bringing the benefits of the world's first high speed global broadband service to its impressive portfolio of customers.

"Astrium serves an unparalleled range of market segments and, together with their powerful network of service providers, will help make Global Xpress the preferred choice for end-users in those segments, extending and deepening our global business partnership."

Astrium Services meets specific customer requirements for every sector by combining a complete range of satellite connectivity services with the largest range of innovative solutions. In the maritime industry, Astrium Services covers transportation, leisure and fishing, cruise and ferry, as well as offshore.

In the enterprise sector, Astrium Services provides high quality telecom services to land-based customers including oil and gas, mining, large-scale events, non-governmental organisations and large corporate entities worldwide. In the government sector, Astrium Services is the world's primary private sector military satcom service supplier. Some of the most modern armed forces in the world figure among Astrium Services customers, including UK, France, Germany, USA, and NATO.