The small lightweight kit will be marketed to residents of U.S. Gulf Coast states to ensure constant connectivity in the event a hurricane or other disaster disables the traditional terrestrial and cellular networks.

Launched in the United States in April, BGAN is the world's first mobile communications service to deliver both voice and broadband data simultaneously to a single, truly portable device on a global basis. Through BGAN, users can send and receive emails, exchange documents, make phone calls, view and send videos and browse the Internet.

"We have seen several examples of the vulnerability of terrestrial networks during recent hurricanes and have learned that only through satellite communications can you guarantee constant connectivity," said Jack Deasy, Inmarsat's director of civil programs.

"The Personal Hurricane Kit from Assemble is all about providing portable and reliable communications connectivity by utilizing Inmarsat's BGAN," Deasy said. "With BGAN, residents of the Gulf Coast states as well as first responders will have significantly enhanced communications services during a disaster."

The kit comes with everything a user would need to set up and launch a communications connection, including a satellite terminal, slim-line phone, pre-bundled service for access and a watertight crushproof case to carry all the accompaniments such as USB, Ethernet and phone cables.

The kit also includes an instruction card and a toll-free telephone number for users who need additional assistance setting up their BGAN terminals for the first time. Assemble initially is offering the kit online to residents in the Gulf Coast states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

"The kit is small and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry, quick to set up and simple to use," said Cromwell Evely, Assemble's marketing manager. "It can be deployed on a fixed, portable, or mobile basis, providing the flexibility to meet any emergency response or disaster recovery scenario."

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