Inmarsat, which operates a satellite network and distributes much of its products and airtime through resellers, is launching a new version of one of its services through top partner Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor ASA of Norway.

Telenor will become a premier service provider for Inmarsats Broadband Global Area Network, or BGAN. BGAN will launch commercially this year; it will offer high-speed, circuit-switched and packet data services, as well as voice telephony.

Inmarsat used a new generation of satellites known as Inmarsat 4 to develop the new capabilities. “With our business agreement with Inmarsat firmly in place, Telenor is focusing its resources on training and preparing our global distribution network to offer BGAN service on the day it becomes commercially available,” said Tore Hilde, CEO of Telenor Satellite Services, in a statement.