Monte Carlo Rally Uses IsatPhone 2s from Inmarsat, SSI Monaco

The 89th running of the Monte Carlo rally from 21 to 24 of January 2021, won by Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in their Toyota Yaris, saw driver safety enhanced by SSI-Monaco and Inmarsat, a global enabler in mobile satellite communications.

Inmarsat IsatPhone 2s delivered emergency communications for the race commissaires from the Automobile Club of Monaco, who manage the rally. This satellite telephone service from SSI-Monaco and Inmarsat enabled the officials to be connected anywhere, at all times.

“The determining factor in the Monte Carlo rally organisers choosing Inmarsat and SSI-Monaco was the reliability of the services, which are critical for this event and the ability of the safety teams to be connected at all times across the race route to safeguard the competitors,” said Todd McDonell, president of Inmarsat Global Government. “Inmarsat was honoured to be selected for this role with our partner SSI-Monaco and it continues to demonstrate the flexibility of our services through the sheer variety of activities that rely on ubiquitous, reliable satellite connectivity that we deliver worldwide.”

The rally route took in several parts of the south of France as well as the principality of Monaco. The use of satellite phones ensured that connectivity was never in question in both isolated rural areas as well as urban locations where large numbers of mobile phone users could restrict mobile phone network accessibility.

“During the Monte Carlo Rally, the communication of the Rally organisers and the race controllers for the safety of the race is crucial, especially in the mountainous areas where other types of communications are almost non-existent,” emphasised SSI-Monaco’s President & CEO, Dr. Ilhami Aygun. “The reliability of Inmarsat services and IsatPhone 2s, even in the most challenging conditions, play a key role in the smooth running of the race. We are proud to partner with the Automobile Club of Monaco to provide safety communications via Inmarsat.”