Earth Station News

Buffalo Computer Graphics (BCG) Inc. has launched a new Fleet77 Satellite Phone and E-mail Application. BCG said the recently created software will be incorporated into its Virtual Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (VGMDSS) simulator to better mirror existing systems that are in use around the world. Using Sailor’s Fleet77 as a basis for the emulation, BCG engineers created a realistic satellite phone that mirrors the functionality of the actual unit. Users are able to select their operating region…

VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that UK-based independent teleport operator Cobbett Hill Earth Station is upgrading the network of its maritime services unit, ION (International Ocean Services) to the iDirect Evolution 3.2 Platform. The acquisition of maritime satellite communications provider ION in 2013 marked Cobbett Hill Earth Station’s expansion into the commercial maritime market, which according to NSR will hold close to 1 million in-service units by 2023. This will be the first in a series of technology investments that Cobbett Hill Earth Station has planned for ION. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

In the latest stage of its ongoing expansion of the global mini-VSAT Broadband network, KVH Industries, Inc. has more than doubled the network’s capacity in the Brazilian and African regions. The ongoing global network upgrade involves deployment of Variable Coding, Spreading, and Modulation (VCSM) technology provided by ViaSat, Inc., KVH’s partner in the mini-VSAT Broadband network. This is the third major capacity increase in less than five months, following upgrades in the Caribbean and EMEA regions in late 2012.

KVH Industries passes the 3,000th mark with shipments of its TracPhone® terminal for the mini-VSAT Broadband network. Launched in 2007, KVH's maritime broadband service was the first to use spread spectrum technology that enabled small, easy-to-install onboard terminals to receive fast, affordable VSAT quality data connections offshore. KVH grew its service to become the world's largest maritime VSAT network through a geographic coverage rollout that is now complete and covers all the world's oceans. "We built the mini-VSAT Broadband network because we saw a huge opportunity from a potential market of 250,000 commercial, government,…

Dr. Ir. Sluiman, of eXpert ICT, is a naval reserve officer assigned to the Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) organization of the Netherlands. All analyses and views expressed in this article are those of the author. Communication between ship and shore is essential for the efficient operation and management of ships. The wireless systems to communicate from and to ships, however, are not always secure and the confidentiality of the communication may be invaded. Owners, operators, managers of vessels and shipmasters should be aware of this risk when using a communication system. Information theft by competitors may erode competitive advantages and could damage relationships with customers, information theft by pirates and terrorists may lead to attacks on ships.

KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ:KVHI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $26.3 million, up 24% from the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Net income for the period was $1.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. During the same period last year the company reported net income of $0.3 million or $0.02 per diluted share. For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenue was $89.1 million, up 8% compared to $82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. KVH reported a net loss of $0.1 million or $0.01 per share for 2009. During the same period last year, the company reported net income of $3.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share.

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted permanent “Earth Station onboard – Vessel” or ESV license authority for KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications service. This authority officially approves the spread spectrum mini-VSAT Broadband service and 24-inch diameter TracPhone V7 antenna as meeting the FCC’s new regulations for broadband maritime services. Prior to receiving this permanent license, the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband service has operated in U.S. waters under an FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA) since September 2007, while also supporting mariners worldwide.

Despite the critical role of the maritime industry in laying the fiber that connects the world to the Internet, the maritime industry itself relies almost exclusively on satellites for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship connectivity. However, the networking protocols used to transfer data between computers do not operate efficiently over satellite links. This is especially true at the higher data rates that are starting to become more prevalent for ship-based connectivity, but even at low bandwidths, the noisy links typical of mobile satellite systems prevent the efficient use of expensive satellite time. Fortunately, a new class of products…

Despite the critical role of the maritime industry in laying the fiber that connects the world to the Internet, the maritime industry itself relies almost exclusively on satellites for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship connectivity. However, the networking protocols used to transfer data between computers do not operate efficiently over satellite links. This is especially true at the higher data rates that are starting to become more prevalent for ship-based connectivity, but even at low bandwidths, the noisy links typical of mobile satellite systems prevent the efficient use of expensive satellite time. Fortunately, a new class of products…

company's earth station at Eik in Norway. state-of-the-art suite of services that is easy to use. messaging, data transfers, and asset polling. devices such as personal computers, fax, and telex machines. maritime safety, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

Invsat Ltd., the U.K.-based telecommunications systems integrator, has been awarded a prestigious contract to provide network communications for the British Antarctic Survey in one of the world’s most challenging environments. The VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) network is connected via the NSS-7 satellite to Invsat’s earth station based at its Aberdeenshire HQ. Stabilized C-Band VSAT systems are being deployed on the two ice-strengthened Royal Research Ships that support the British Antarctic Survey's operations in the region. The two vessels are the RRS James Clark Ross, which has some of Britain's most advanced facilities for oceanographic research, and the RRS Ernest Shackleton which is primarily a logistics ship, used for the re-supply of the Survey's stations.

The new Ship Security and Alert Systems (SSAS) regulations were adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime security in response to the increasing threat from terrorism and piracy. After July 1, 2004, most deep-sea passenger and cargo ships must be fitted with a device that can send an alert message containing the ship's ID and position whenever the ship is under threat or has been compromised. The distress message must be activated covertly from a switch on the navigation bridge or other shipboard location, and transmitted only to the designated authority without being received on other ships or raising an alarm on the ship under attack.

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications is enhancing its range of value-added services with a satellite-based VPN (virtual private network). The VPN solution for the Fleet family (Fleet-33, 55 & 77) enables maritime users to connect securely to their corporate business network on land, via either ISDN or MPDS transmission mode. It is based on a fixed public IP address that the user can request in order to simplify connections with its business network. The VPN connection via Fleet terminals enables the user to transmit data securely at high speeds (up to 64 Kbit/s), as well as access their everyday work applications securely.

Xantic announced the launch of Easy Accelerator, an application designed to make browsing the internet via satellite faster and cheaper than ever before. Available free of charge from Xantic’s website, Easy Accelerator optimizes internet and intranet usage by reducing the size of the selected web page content. A proxy computer located at a Land Earth Station ‘downsizes’ pictures, for example, by up to 80 percent, depending on the settings chosen. Audio files and text can also be reduced. As a result, browsing is much faster and the user’s satellite costs can be decreased by as much as 90 percent. Inmarsat has co-financed the development of this new service.

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications upgraded its land earth station in Aussaguel, France to ensure that its Inmarsat-C and Mini-C services are SSAS-compatible. The SSAS heightens security on board ship in the event of attack enabling captain or crew to send out a ‘covert’ alert and rapidly obtain assistance. With piracy and attacks at sea becoming increasingly widespread, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has designated that all ships exceeding 500 tonnes must equip the SSAS by July 1, 2004. The SSAS is a one-way, ship-to-shore security system available with compatible Inmarsat-C and Mini-C terminals. It enables crew on board to trigger an alert without the attackers’ knowledge thanks to a minimum of two activation points placed in strategic positions on the ship.

On January 6, 2002 at approximately 3:46 a.m., COMSAT Mobile Communications' Southbury, Conn. earth station received an Inmarsat-C "Man Overboard" distress call from Akademikis Zavarickis operating in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Equador. Responding to the call was COMSAT operator Joe Wheelahan, who contacted the ship on via an Inmarsat satellite voice call and connected them with the U.S. Coast Guard's Rescue Coordination Center in Norfolk, VA. Norfolk subsequently passed the information onto RCC Ecuador. A little more than three hours later, the man overboard was located and was returned safely to the vessel. COMSAT mid shift operator Wheelahan's quick response contacting Akademikis Zavarickis via voice communications and then connecting the ship with coast guard's RCC in Norfolk…

After a year and a half development process that included antenna upgrades and a new one-piece radome design, Sea Tel applied for and was granted Eutelsat Type Approval on their 4996T maritime VSAT system. This is the first time that a complete maritime "system" including antenna, pedestal and radome has been granted Eutelsat Type Approval. "Being granted Type Approval from Eutelsat is extremely valuable to Sea Tel. We believe it will be even more valuable for our customers who will save many man-hours of required testing time that they will now be able to waive because of this Type Approval," said Robert C. Matthews, Sea Tel Vice President of Technical Sales.

Telenor has completed the acquisition of COMSAT Mobile Communications operations . Simultaneously to the acquisition, Telenor gathers all its mobile satellite activities under the new business area name Telenor Satellite Services, and becomes one of the world's largest global mobile satellite operators. COMSAT Mobile now becomes the U.S. Inc. COMSAT Mobile, has annual revenues in excess of $100 million. transaction transfers CMC's operations, including all employees as well as the two earth station facilities in Southbury, Connecticut, and Santa Paula, California, to Telenor. Additionally, in September 2000 Telenor purchased a portion of LMT's Inmarsat shares to become the largest single owner of Inmarsat Ventures plc, holding the maximum permitted stake of 15 percent.

Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN), a Verestar company, was awarded a contract by Thales GeoSolutions to become its provider of global telecommunications capabilities. MTN, the leader in maritime communications, entered into a three-month agreement to provide telecommunications services onboard the specialist cable survey vessel, the Baruna Jaya III. Thales GeoSolutions specializes in services and products for the offshore oil and gas, telecommunications, power and marine civil engineering industries. Thales offers a comprehensive range of integrated environmental management and monitoring services, including water quality studies and ocean current measurements.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a Verestar company, has signed a three-year contract with ResidenSea to become the exclusive telecommunications provider for its new vessel, The World, the first resort community at sea that continuously runs around the globe. MTN was awarded the competitive contract in collaboration with Norwegian agent, General Industry Systems, located in Stavanger, Norway. Specialists in providing communications facilities for all maritime vessels as well as the cruise line industry using total global satellite services, MTN will install its Digital Ship Earth Station (DSES) onboard The World within the next few months.

Satellite Services, has announced that the Fleet service is now available to customers on a global basis. Telenor's Fleet service offers the maritime community the most advanced mobile satellite communications technology available for high-speed commercial communications and enhanced safety at sea. Available to all ocean regions through Telenor's Eik Land Earth Station in Norway and its Santa Paula, Calif. facility in the U.S., Telenor's Fleet service via Inmarsat delivers a wide range of commercial communications needs for voice, fax and data services at speeds of up to 64 kbps, including the rapid mobile Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and the new, resource-efficient Mobile Packet Data Service.

Schlumberger, a global technology services company, announced today it has launched three new fully licensed and operational satellite Teleport facilities. These facilities in Houston, Macae (Brazil) and Singapore supplement the established Aberdeen Earth Station to provide complete global satellite coverage for the Schlumberger DeXa.Net global, secure connectivity offering. These facilities are strategically located to link VSAT (very small aperture terminal) services to offshore rigs, ocean vessels and land-based operations, delivering voice, data and video services throughout the globe. All four of the Schlumberger teleport facilities are further linked via the DeXa.Net high-speed…

The U.S. Navy awarded the work package on its USS Whidbey Island to Norshipco, a member of the U.S. Marine Repair shipyard family. The contract, which calls for topside phased maintenance, fixed-price availability, states for work to commence on May 24 for a September 1 completion. The work package includes topside repairs, electrical and mechanical repairs, and ship alterations. Specific mechanical repairs entail main propulsion diesel engines, and ship alterations include the RAM Mk31 Mod and Ship's Self Defense System installations. Stratos has been awarded a contract to supply C-band satellite equipment and teleport services for PanCanadian Petroleum Limited's exploration drilling program offshore Nova Scotia.