Iridium Openport News

Globecomm has supplied its global Ku-band VSAT service to specialist shipowner and manager Briese Schiffahrts in support of its fleet growth plans.Long-time Globecomm customer Briese is undertaking a program of fleet renewal, constructing a series of eight ‘Open Top Eco 5000’ multi-purpose vessels, designed to consume 30 percent less fuel but with increased crane and cargo capacity.The first of four ships was christened in mid-April 2018 at Zhejiang Zengzhou Shipbuilding Co with three more of the 90-meter long…

Dry bulk shipping company Pacific Basin Shipping Limited has deployed KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband solution on its entire fleet of 99 owned ships as part of its effort to modernize ship-shore communications. “Satellite communications continue to become more cost-effective over time as requirements rapidly grow for bandwidth and speed,” said Capt. Uttam K. Jaiswal, general manager – marine at Pacific Basin, a Hong Kong based owner and operator of Handysize and Supramax dry bulk ships.

Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) and maritime navigation and communications equipment leader FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. announced a strategic partnership in which Furuno will be marketing Iridium satellite services and products initially in Japan. As part of this agreement, Furuno will be developing a new part of its portfolio of satellite communications service with Iridium. That may include the Iridium Pilot antennas, powered by the Iridium OpenPort broadband service, providing the industry's only pole-to-pole mobile wireless coverage for ships at sea; Iridium GO!, the world's first truly global online smartphone access device; weather resistant Iridium Extreme handset; and the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) service.

Airbus Defense and Space has added new features to its XChange communications management platform with the release of version 3.1 at SMM 2014. Headlining the new version is a unique system that provides Universal Remote Access to any device connected to on board networks or the IT network itself and new functionality that builds on the recently released BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) solution for XChange. Universal Remote Access as a new option for XChange provides secure remote access to computers on board a vessel from anywhere. It meets the growing need from ship-owners, communications equipment manufacturers, satcom service providers and maritime service companies to easily access IT networks on board from shore for maintenance and troubleshooting.

Iridium OpenPort Double Value Promotion Satcom Global is pleased to announce a limited time promotion from Iridium which will offer service  plans that double the data and/or voice allowance on a range of popular OpenPort service packages. Offering excellent value, the new promotional plans will provide high volume data packages at ultra-affordable prices. The double value offer is available to both new and current Iridium OpenPort subscribers. Existing customers have the option to migrate to the new promotional plans, but if current commitment has not been fulfilled, they will be assessed with regard to any related early termination penalties. To find out more about the Iridium OpenPort service and Pilot hardware, please click here.

Astrium Services took a survey of seafarer’s usage of crew communication solutions in the commercial shipping sector to establish a picture of mariner communications requirements. According to Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime Services, Astrium Services, the survey was illuminating in more ways than one, helping to shed light on modern comms usage for onboard business and personal reasons. MLC 2006 is here. What is your sense that ship operators and owners will incorporate an increased availability of communications solutions for seafarers? The MLC asks for “reasonable access to ship-to-shore telephone communications, and email and Internet facilities, where available.” The wording is quite soft. Plus it is located in the non-mandatory guidelines. So there’s some room for interpretation.

Astrium Services released an update for its SkyFile Mail software, which provides more user flexibility and cost reductions on regular maintenance in addition to offering more possibilities to “Bring Your Own Device” on board. The new monthly update of SkyFile Mail Anti Virus improves security and features a new automatic notification that prompts the Master to update the Anti Virus software over the air. User flexibility is improved with SkyFile Mail v8.25 through enhanced I4 device control, which with the addition of JRC and Furuno, is now available for all types of FleetBroadband terminal.

KVH TracPhone V3-IP goes fully global for commercial mariners as it pairs up with integrated Iridium OpenPort Broadband Service. Coinciding with the introduction of its new TracPhone® V3-IP satellite communications system, KVH Industries, Inc., announces availability of an integrated service package that pairs its exclusive mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service with the Iridium OpenPort® broadband service for seamless, fully global connectivity. The new TracPhone V3-IP will provide coverage throughout the extensive Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband global coverage offering, with Iridium OpenPort service extending that to remote regions including the polar areas.

The fight in the maritime satcom sector is somewhat analogous to the one fought by Apple and Microsoft in the early ‘80s: two tech companies, polar-opposite philosophies and a raging battle for market share. Market watchers  likely have noted an increased “competitive spirit” among providers of ship-to-shore communication services. •    the need to keep crew content with         Email, Internet & entertainment. A corporate driver for change has been Iridium, the McLean, VA-based…

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) announces that German shipping company Reederei Werner Bockstiegel has selected Iridium Pilot(TM) to upgrade its shipping fleet with broadband communications. Globecomm Maritime, a long-standing Iridium partner, is offering Iridium Pilot as part of an upgraded "Telaurus se@COMM" communications package, and will manage the installation fleet-wide. "We're seeing a rapidly growing appetite among maritime customers to migrate from out-dated narrowband services to satellite broadband communications solutions," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of global distribution channels at Iridium. "We are proud to expand our service to Reederei Werner Bockstiegel through our innovative partner Globecomm Maritime.

Iridium Communications Inc. is providing vital satellite broadband communications connectivity for sailors competing in the prestigious international sailboat races of the IMOCA Championship. The Europa 'Warm Up' Race kicked off May 19 and runs through June 9, 2012. Twenty sailboats will be equipped with Iridium Pilot™ terminals, the new Iridium maritime broadband platform, as part of the telecommunications package provided by Geolink, a long-time Iridium partner and innovative race communications supplier. Relying on the world's only truly global satellite network, skippers and crews can access real-time weather reports, sailing conditions…

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) is providing vital satellite broadband communications connectivity for sailors competing in the prestigious international Sailboat Races of the IMOCA Championship. The Europa Warm'Up Race kicked off May 19 and runs through June 9, 2012. Twenty sailboats will be equipped with Iridium Pilot(TM) terminals, the new Iridium maritime broadband platform, as part of the telecommunications package provided by Geolink, a long-time Iridium partner and innovative race communications supplier. Relying on the world's only truly global satellite network, skippers and crews can access real-time weather reports…

Powered by the Iridium OpenPort Service, Iridium Pilot Broadband Platform Offers Reliable, High-Quality Communications Via the World's Furthest-Reaching Network. Global Satellite USA, a satellite solutions provider, has announced the launch of the Iridium Pilot, Iridium’s second-generation maritime broadband platform. Iridium Pilot will utilize the Iridium OpenPort service – the world's first when it comes to fully global maritime broadband. Martin Fierstone, President of Global Satellite USA, commented, “Iridium is improving the customer experience on a global basis.

Powered by the Iridium OpenPort Service, Iridium Pilot Broadband Platform Offers Reliable, High-Quality Communications Via the World’s Furthest-Reaching Network. Iridium Communications Inc. has announced the launch of its second-generation maritime broadband platform, Iridium Pilot. Iridium Pilot will utilize the Iridium OpenPort service -- the world’s first when it comes to fully global maritime broadband. Iridium Pilot is engineered for enhanced durability to withstand the harshest maritime conditions, all the while packaged in a small, lightweight antenna.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) and KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) have agreed to offer what the pair is touting as the first-ever, fully global, seamless broadband satellite communications service for the maritime market. Under the agreement, KVH will offer an integrated service package that combines its mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service and the Iridium OpenPort broadband service. “We are enthusiastic that KVH is our first distribution partner to launch Iridium’s new VSAT companion service offering,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, global distribution channels, Iridium. “We have optimized the Iridium OpenPort system to seamlessly integrate with a vessel’s VSAT platform.

Globecomm Maritime launched se@FLEX, a new global maritime VSAT package combining best of breed Ku-band coverage with mission-critical L-band back-up services.se@FLEX is the result of the fusion of services from Globecomm Maritime companies, to offer a complete solution from a single source, providing a global coverage footprint, guaranteed bandwidth throughput and full transparency of costs and service levels. se@FLEX is offered using flat rate monthly pricing, with options including hardware leasing for approved packages and customers, Ku band unlimited usage and L-band airtime starting at US$2,850 per month. This core package includes all components and configuration needed to provide the vessel with global seamless connectivity.

Combined VSAT/L-band service delivers seamless, global high bandwidth coverage with full cost transparency from a single provider. Globecomm Maritime, the leading provider of maritime communications solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of se@Flex, a new global maritime VSAT package combining best of breed Ku-band coverage with mission-critical L-band back-up services. The result of the fusion of services from Globecomm Maritime companies, it offers a complete solution from a single source…

New Centers provide complete managed-communications services worldwide. Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced it has expanded its maritime service-delivery capabilities by opening Global Installation & Service Centers (GIS Centers) in four major maritime regions. The Stratos GIS Centers in Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Singapore and Lafayette, Louisiana provide complete managed-communications services for ship owners and ship-management companies worldwide.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The following reflects the results of Iridium Communications Inc. for the second quarter of 2010 compared to those of Iridium Holdings LLC (predecessor) for the second quarter of 2009. -    Total billable subscribers grew 16.8%, reaching approximately 383,000 – up from approximately 328,000 at the end of the comparable quarter last year. Growth occurred across all product areas. -    Commercial service revenue increased 13.8% to $45.5 million in the second quarter compared to $40.0 million during the second quarter of 2009. For the first half of the year, commercial service revenue was up 12.5% over the first half of 2009.

Telaurus Communications, a Globecomm Maritime company, has appointed Geoff Davison as Product Manager – Value Added Services. Geoff joins Telaurus with 20 years’ experience in electronics, telecommunications and information technology in the marine, military and avionics markets. For the last 10 years Geoff has held a senior position with AND Group, leading its technical support team for the last five years. His main role will be to develop new sales worldwide through promotion of Telaurus Value Added Services both internally and externally.

Vizada has launched a range of maritime broadband packages integrating Ku-band VSAT and mobile satellite services (MSS), including the newly-launched Vizada XChangeTM. Shipping companies can select the combination of VSAT, MSS hardware and airtime best suited to their needs while being able to upgrade to a higher bandwidth plan or next generation satellite service during or after contract termination. The packages range from unlimited 256kbps VSAT airtime-only starting at $1,500 per month up to an unlimited 1024kbps VSAT plus MSS airtime and hardware back-up, for a monthly fee of $2,750. Customers can choose between a VSAT antenna from Thrane & Thrane…

Vizada, an independent satellite communications provider, and Météo-France, ameteorological center, have renewed their agreement to provide digital weather information and software to the maritime community. The partnership signing coincides with the release of a new version of its SkyFile Weather solution, based on Météo-France’s latest Navimail software. The new version of SkyFile Weather delivers meteorological information to crew more rapidly through a direct internet connection established via the mobile satellite terminal. This applies to all new generation IP-based services typically found on board ship including Inmarsat FleetBroadband and Iridium OpenPort.

The FV Aart Maaskant (UK95) is was one of the first Dutch commercial fishing vessels to be fitted with Iridium OpenPort. Gannexion BV, an Iridium service partner, installed the Iridium high-bandwidth terminal to replace the existing satcom system on the 139 ft beam trawler, which operates in the North Sea. Jan de Boer, the vessel’s owner and captain, said, “Iridium OpenPort is always online. The crew is using the free e-mail service offered by Gannexion BV to send and receive messages at sea. The e-mail software also permits them to access Websites to download information on an adjustable schedule. “The captain sets the Iridium OpenPort terminal to automatically receive the weather forecast twice a day,” said Patrick Albers, service engineer, Gannexion BV.