A 15-year-old Australian boy plans to become the first person to use Inmarsat's BGAN (broadband global area network) service from the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest.
Christopher Harris is climbing Everest with his father Richard and a small team of adults. He is aiming to become the youngest person ever to complete this physical feat.
As of this writing, the team is scheduled to be leaving Camp 3 at 27,230ft to make its assault on the summit, according to Web coverage of the expedition.
The team is using BGAN's mobile broadband coverage to send back images, words and video footage using a Hughes Network Systems 9201 terminal donated by TC Communications of Australia.
The elder Harris and another climber, Michael Dillon, received training on the equipment to enable them to send their expedition reports.
The complete solution includes a Toughbook PC, solar panels, phone handset, BGAN terminal and back-up GAN terminal. All the equipment and airtime are being provided free of charge.
Pictures and video footage are available at www.tc.com.au.
