The second generation Telecom spacecraft debuted on 16 December 1991 as Telecom 2A and was followed on 15 April 1992 by Telecom 2B. This new series of more capable spacecraft was designed and manufactured jointly by Matra Marconi and Alcatel Espace and is based on the Matra-British Aerospace Eurostar-2000 2.0 m × 2.1 m × 2.0 m satellite bus. On-orbit mass of Telecom 2 is 1380 kg with a payload mass of 400 kg. The twin solar panels span 22 m and provide an excess of 3.6 kW with 2.5 kW available for the payload. The design life is 10.25 years.

The Telecom 2 communications package includes ten 6/4 GHz transponders with four spares for telephone and television relays, six 8/7 GHz transponders with three spares for the military Syracuse II payload, and 11 14/12 GHz transponders with four spares for television, data transmission, and teleconference. When completed the Telecom 2 constellation will be deployed at 8 degrees W, 5 degrees W, and 3 degrees E. At the end of 1994 Telecom 2A and 2B were stationed at 8 degrees W and 5 degrees W, respectively. Telecom 2C was launched in 1995 with Telecom 2D followed in 1996.

Launched in the early 1990s, the four second-generation satellites were built to Inmarsat specification by an international group headed by British Aerospace (now BAE Systems).

The three-axis-stabilized Inmarsat-2s were designed for a 10-year life. Inmarsat-2 F1 was launched in 1990 and is now located over the Pacific, providing lease capacity. F2, launched in 1991, is over the western Atlantic, providing leased capacity and backing up Inmarsat I-3 F4. Also orbited in 1991, F3 is stationed over the Pacific Ocean, providing lease capacity and backing up Inmarsat I-3 F3. The fourth Inmarsat-2 was launched in 1992 and is used to provide leased capacity over the Indian Ocean and backing up Inmarsat I-3 F1 and Inmarsat I-3 F3.