International Maritime Satellite Organisation - Inmarsat provides telephony and data services to users world-wide, via special terminals. An Inmarsat terminal contacts the satellite and communicates to a ground station through the satellite. It provides reliable communications services to a range of governments, aid agencies, media outlets and businesses needing to communicate in remote regions or where there is no reliable terrestrial network. Aside from its commercial services, Inmarsat provides GMDSS services to ships at no charge, as a public service.