By richardkidd - 20 Jan 2015
:angry:
We have carried an Inmarsat C terminal since setting off from the UK in 2001. Primary used for safety-related traffic - EGC, Safetynet and the possibility of distress use if required
We have also very occasionally used email on the terminal - spending an average of about GBP 20 per year. For most of the time our accounting authority has been GB14, operated by Stratos (initially BT).
GB14, and a number of other AAs, have now been transferred to Inmarsat Solutions (or Stratos have been taken over by them). An annual charge of USD 250 is now being charged, ostensibly to replace the 15% charge previously made for traffic routed through 3rd party land stations. For a low volume user this actually amounts to a fixed charge for the use of the, previously free, Inmarsat C system - including the GMDSS aspects.
In addition Inmarsat Solutions have given 1 month 's notice that they are discontinuing the prepaid incoming email facility - with no refund of outstanding credit.
Has anyone identified an AA that is still charging only for chargeable traffic - emails, tracking etc?
Richard
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