Inmarsat, the provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced that Ofer Ship Holding has adopted the new FleetBroadband Multi-voice capability.
The deployment on ZIM CONSTANZA comes just days after FleetBroadband’s new multi-voice capability became commercially available. The ZIM CONSTANZA is a 4,250 TEU container vessel with 27 crew onboard. Inmarsat’s distribution partner Station 711 added a Vocality PBX to work alongside the ship’s installed JRC-500.
“It was easy to integrate the FleetBroadband Multi-voice capability into the vessel’s infrastructure,” said Dotan Sofer of Ofer Ship Holding. “The high quality of the multiple voice lines is the same as we had previously on the existing FleetBroadband terminal. The crew really appreciates the added flexibility and privacy that this service provides.”
FleetBroadband Multi-voice is integrated into Inmarsat’s core network, ensuring a high-quality voice service. Supporting up to 9 simultaneous calls, it allows vessel owners and managers to separate crew communications from operational use, making it easier for crew to make and receive personal low-cost calls away from the bridge.
“FleetBroadband Multi-voice adds significant value to the service, and we expect it to be very attractive to the shipping companies we work with,” said Kobi Ohayon, Sales Director at Station 711. “Not only do the crew now have more privacy for their calls, for which they can use our low-cost prepaid cards, but they are receiving the same high quality voice service as the bridge.”
“Within days of releasing this new capability, we have seen intense interest from our distribution partners and service providers,” said Frank Coles, President, Inmarsat Maritime. “This is a simple but effective solution to the growing need for separate crew calling facilities, delivered with the same high quality standard as all Inmarsat services.”
FleetBroadband Multi-voice can be accessed on existing FleetBroadband equipment, and with the same per-minute tariff for both pre-paid and post-paid calls. It also supports the “505” emergency calling capability that connects a vessel immediately to a Maritime Rescue Centre.