Boeing has announced that Boeing Commercial Satellite Services (BCSS), a unit of Boeing Satellite Systems International, will collaborate with Artel, a global leader in information technology and managed network services, to distribute Inmarsat-3, -4 and -5 bandwidth to potential U.S. government customers.

It is anticipated that this first collaboration will be followed by additional offers to provide unique end-to-end commercial satellite services to U.S. government and commercial customers.

"Boeing's collaboration with Artel reflects our commitment to assisting commercial providers and government users with mutually beneficial access to space," said Craig Cooning, CEO of Boeing Satellite Systems International.

"The demand for satellite communications continues to be greater than the supply, and distribution relationships such as this one are a creative, affordable solution."

Boeing and Artel are working with potential customers and users to develop Ka-based satellite communications solutions for their unique applications. Inmarsat-3 and -4 services are available now.

Inmarsat-5 global satellite communications will be available starting in late 2013, and users will be able to conduct compatibility testing on their Inmarsat-5 terminals starting in the middle of that year.

"This cooperative agreement between Artel and Boeing to provide a global Ka-band SATCOM solution will dramatically expand our capability to provide cost-effective, mission-critical communications to U.S. government customers worldwide," said Derek Woods, president of Artel.

BCSS works with owners of active satellite systems to market available bandwidth to prospective customers and to include hosted payloads on future spacecraft.

Boeing's enterprisewide technology portfolio and expertise in government communications missions allow the company to provide tailored commercial solutions that more closely meet customer needs than do other currently available solutions.

Artel provides a full spectrum of telecommunications, network management, IT solutions integration and information assurance services. The company, founded in 1986, is the largest provider of commercial satellite communications services to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Artel's knowledge in the areas of satellite communications and networking offers customers unique end-to-end solutions that are delivered rapidly and effectively.