Hughes Network Systems and Inmarsat have begun first BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) M2M (machine-to-machine) terminal to receive Hazardous Locations Accreditation. The Hughes 9502, a global-use terminal designed and manufactured by Hughes for operation over Inmarsat's BGAN service, has successfully completed testing by Met Laboratories, Inc. (MetLabs), an Accredited Laboratory.

The Hughes BGAN terminal has been certified for operation in hazardous locations where explosive gaseous atmospheres may potentially be present. The certification covers operation in environments classified as Class 1, Division 2, Groups A-D, and ATEX Zone 2, Group II, Category 3.

Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Vice President, Enterprise Energy, Inmarsat, said, "Hughes' latest Class 1, Division 2 BGAN M2M terminal is an exciting addition to our M2M portfolio and will play a significant role in supporting global energy customers who operate SCADA networks in hazardous environments.

Inmarsat is the only mobile satellite communications company to offer such a broad portfolio of global M2M capabilities and we are well positioned to support this rapidly expanding market."

In a parallel announcement, Inmarsat partner Zedi Inc., a leading oil and gas technology and services company in the field of production operations, confirmed it is placing orders for the newly accredited Hughes BGAN M2M terminal.

James Freeman, Chief Technology Officer at Zedi, said, "Zedi utilizes the latest technologies available to reliably connect our customers' remote sites and provide industry-leading monitoring solutions. In 2010, we were excited to announce the world's first large-scale SCADA network based on Inmarsat BGAN."

"Over the last two years, our team engaged Inmarsat and industry customers to outline requirements for a new M2M BGAN terminal and we're pleased to see this terminal available for commercial delivery to Zedi this quarter. It was important to us that the terminal be small, easy-to-use, efficient, cost-effective, and certified for use in Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations.

The industry collaboration and successful result demonstrates Zedi's commitment to meet our customers' needs for world-class monitoring solutions where terrestrial cellular coverage is not an option."

1 OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and Standards Council of Canada Certification Body

Graham Avis, Vice President at Hughes, said, "It is evident that a significant portion of the M2M market requires terminals that operate in hazardous environments. We are pleased to announce a Class 1, Division 2-compliant 9502 BGAN M2M terminal variant."

The Hughes 9502 M2M terminal delivers affordable, end-to-end IP data connectivity for a wide range of industry sectors, such as environmental monitoring, weather, tsunami warning systems, seismic data collection, utility smart grid applications, pipeline monitoring, well site automation, IP-camera surveillance, and satellite back-up for terrestrial fixed or wireless primary site communications.

Inmarsat's BGAN M2M service is accessible across the globe and combines performance with low latency assuring real-time visibility of critical data. It is simple for field teams to set up and integrate with bespoke applications, and can be maintained without technical expertise or training. As with all mobile satellite connectivity delivered through Inmarsat's I4, L-band constellation, BGAN M2M operates with 99.9 per cent availability.