Inmarsat confirmed that it will be flying its Inmarsat-4 F2 (I-4 F2) communications satellite to a new orbital position above the Indian Ocean, creating a fourth full-service L-band region, which will offer enhanced connectivity capacity for customers in the Middle East and Asia (MEAS).

The MEAS region is scheduled to commence commercial services by the end of 2015 and will address increasing demand in the fastest growing region for Inmarsat’s L-band services.

The announcement follows the successful transition of Inmarsat’s L-band voice and broadband data services for the EMEA region from I-4 F2 to Alphasat, the largest European telecommunications satellite ever built.

“Alphasat has already significantly enhanced our L-band capabilities across our highest traffic region of EMEA,” said Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, “adding both additional capacity and providing us with a platform for delivering new and enhanced services. Now, with Alphasat in full service, we can move I-4 F2 to provide additional capacity in our highest growth, Indian Ocean region. By creating a fourth region, we are making optimum use of what is a now a uniquely powerful and capable, four-satellite, global L-band fleet.”