(Broadband Global Area Network) A mobile satellite network service launched in 2005 from Inmarsat plc that allows users around the world to connect to the Internet or a corporate network. The two geostationary (GEO) Inmarsat-4 satellites provide a secure VPN for both packet-switched and circuit switched services for simultaneous voice and data at approximately 500 Kbps. Especially useful where telecom/cellular networks are poor or non-existent, the remote user needs only a laptop and a small, portable BGAN terminal device to connect.

Regional BGAN
The precursor to BGAN, Regional BGAN (R-BGAN) is an IP-based service for e-mail and Internet access. R-BGAN provides a shared 144 Kbps channel across Europe, Asia and Africa. See Inmarsat and GEO.