Maritime Telecommunications Network News

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Brent C. Bruun as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board. The Board also appointed two seasoned industry executives, David Kagan and David Tolley, as directors of KVH.Bruun first joined KVH in 2008 and has served as KVH’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2022. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of KVH beginning in 2016, as well as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Stuart Ostrow developed ShipMoney as a means to make the process of paying crew more efficient and cost-effective for both vessel owner/operators and the crew. Little did he realize then that his company would be instrumental in helping seafarers during their greatest time of crisis.Stuart, to start, how did you come create ShipMoney and get into a career in the maritime business?I'm the definition of an accidental salesman. By professional training, I'm a Big Six CPA, and I was always one of those frustrated accountants. Many years ago, I read a business plan that talked about prepaid.

Satellite communications and network service provider SpeedCast International Limited has announced the appointment of David Kagan to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) reporting to Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Jean Beylier. Kagan comes to SpeedCast from Globalstar, where he served as President and COO. Uniquely qualified as a result of his extensive industry experience, Kagan previously held C-level executive positions at ITC Global, Globe Wireless, Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), ICG Satellite Services and Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. Kagan is expected to start in March 2017, and joins during a key period as integration activities with Harris CapRock accelerate following the completion of the acquisition on January 1, 2017.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Florida, the leading provider of satellite-based communications, networking and other services to the cruise and offshore oil and gas industries, today announced that John S. Woodbury has joined the company as Director of Government Systems, a new position. He will report to Bradford Briggs, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Woodbury has sixteen years of experience in commercial telecommunications. After thirty years in Navy communications, he began his civilian career in 1987 with GTE Government Systems. As Manager, Navy Systems, in Chesapeake, Va., he was GTE Program Manager for the first fully encrypted ship/shore/ship Ku band commercial satellite video teleconference…

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Florida, a provider of satellite-based communications, networking and other services to the cruise and offshore oil and gas industries, has signed a three-year lease agreement with Oceania Cruises to install MTN’s advanced satellite technology aboard the luxury vessels Regatta and Insignia. With MTN’s state-of-the-art satellite communication system and services, Oceania Cruises will add fully integrated global connectivity capabilities to its list of guest amenities. MTN’s VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) equipment and superior service will enable passengers and crew aboard the Regatta and Insignia to enjoy reliable telecommunications from even the most remote locations…

Maritime communications is an estimated $1 billion industry, encompassing ship operators, merchant fleets, governments and private yacht owners. There is arguably no more quickly evolving technical sector in the maritime market than the satellite communications niche. Safety, operational efficiency and quality of life onboard vessels of all type and size today more than ever depends on clear, reliable and cost effective satellite communication services and products. The following reports on recent advances from major service, product and system suppliers. The year started with news that Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company, would roll-out its high speed satellite broadband capability for the maritime industry.

As technologically advanced as communications have become, the bottom line, particularly for business applications, remains basically the same: the need for clear, reliable and cost-effective means to communicate. Trends in the transmission of data, voice and e-mail from ship-to-shore are much like that of land-based operations. The need for more speed and increased reliability are never ending, and the companies that excel are the ones that not only continually innovate, but those that consistently stay on the front of the curve to deliver real-world technologies that deliver benefits in the unique maritime operational environment. In parallel, price pressures are ubiquitous, as shipowners are keen to exploit every outlet to cut costs and generate revenue.

NCL Corporation will be the first cruise line to bring passengers on North American cruises the ability to use their cell phones even when communications towers are oceans away. The company is providing the innovative new offering through Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). Leading the way in shipboard technology, NCL pioneered the industry's first Internet access on the high seas with its Internet cafe in 1999. In 2002, NCL became the first cruise line to provide remote wireless Internet (also known as Wi-Fi) to its guests. Both services are now standard throughout NCL's entire fleet. "Cutting-edge onboard technology is important to our guests," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO.

Mercy Ships announced today from their corporate headquarters that they have secured a strategic alliance with Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). MTN will provide all satellite equipment, monitoring, support, bandwidth and logistics. The hardware will be provided by MTN as part of the agreement. Having a reliable, 24/7 communications ability has long been a dream for Mercy Ships, which often sends its ships to locations where adequate communication facilities are not available. Until now, that dream has seemed out of reach. capabilities both in port, and at sea. "We are pleased to provide Mercy Ships with global telecommunication services," stated David Kagan, chief executive officer of MTN. shipboard communication technology aboard their vessel.

Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN), announced that it has entered into an agreement with Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC), making MTN the exclusive provider of global telecommunications services aboard Heerema's DCV Balder. MTN will supply Heerema Marine Contractors with 128 kbps of high-speed bandwidth to enable communications for the DCV Balder, which operates in the Gulf of Mexico. MTN's services will allow Heerema's personnel to interact via advanced satellite network capabilities. High-speed data, fax, telephone and Internet solutions will be readily accessible to Heerema employees. MTN provides communication solutions including C-Band Global Satellite Service and Ku-Band International Spot Beam technology.

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.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a subsidiary of ICG Satellite Services, has signed an exclusive seven-year lease agreement with AT&T to provide C-Band equipment including antennas, stabilized platforms and terminal services to be used on US Navy ships around the world. MTN already supports numerous government contracts including Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR), Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Afloat Personal Telecommunications System (APTS) and Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS). The new agreement extends MTN's previous contract with AT&T and will include the installation of at least 15 APTS systems on board military ships. The MTN system enables sailors to utilize their AT&T Calling Cards to make calls from anywhere in the world.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a subsidiary of ATC Teleports, has finalized a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement to attain specific assets of CruisePhone for approximately $1 million. CruisePhone, which previously filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, was permitted by the court to complete the sale of assets to MTN. Following a hearing, which occurred in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New York, CruisePhone is expected to transfer all of its services to MTN on June 31.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), Inc. has signed of a renewed contract on June 5, 2000, with Royal Caribbean International (RCI). This new contract will include RCI's sister fleet Celebrity Cruises. Under these agreements, MTN will provide a C-Band satellite communications network, allowing for shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore telephony, fax, data, and Internet transmission to 17 vessels and six new-builds. MTN will manage, support, and consult on this extensive global satellite network as well as supply and integrate NX Networks voice-over IP multi-plexers and Cisco routers. These systems will act as a platform for the roll-out of RCI's wireless remote management project, based upon Computer Associates' Unicenter TNG software.

Hinge-Ship is a patented concept designed to combine the advantages of both deep draft and shallow draft shipping within the confines of a single vessel. The concept, if proven viable, could help to further the mandate of shaving valuable time from the transportation of goods from "point A to point B," as it would literally eliminate the need for storage at transshipment points and the transfer of cargo to other vessels, and all of the time and cost inherent in both. The essence of the design is that the vessel is split on centerline, and provided with a hinge. This arrangement, according to its designer John H. Leary, P.E., of Leary Engineering in New Orleans…

Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN) signed a five-year agreement with Festival Cruises, Inc., effectively equipping the company's next two newbuilds, European Vision and European Dream, scheduled to be delivered from Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France, in 2001 and 2002, with MTN's telecommunications technology. MTN will provide onboard telecommunications services via C-band service, providing voice, fax and data capabilities. Additionally, MTN's complete maritime solution includes, but is not limited to providing phone cards, Internet access, Automated Teller Machines (ATM's), Ocean Routes and Weather News. David Kagan, president and chief operating officer of MTN…

According to reports, SeaMobile, a Seattle company that provides cellular and wireless service on cruise and cargo ships, acquired a Florida-based competitor, Maritime Telecommunications Network. The $168m all-cash deal, announced, will boost SeaMobile's position in the growing market to keep travelers and industry connected using the same devices they carry on shore. Maritime Telecommunications Network has satellite-based broadband networks deployed on cruise ships that provide several types of media in addition to wireless communications. source: Seattle Times

Trico Marine Services, Inc. announces the appointment of Larry D. Francois as Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining Trico, Francois served as President of Seabulk Offshore, a subsidiary of Seabulk International, Inc., for approximately three years where he was responsible for their worldwide offshore operations. Prior to his tenure at Seabulk, Larry served as area manager of domestic offshore marine operations for Tidewater, Inc. and prior to that assignment was a division manager for Zapata Gulf Marine Corporation in Mexico. Other overseas assignments included international marketing manager in London for Western Oceanic…

SeaMobile Inc. signed an agreement with Crystal Cruises to provide communication solutions for its guests throughout the world. SeaMobile will begin installing wireless broadband communications equipment on board two luxury Crystal Cruises ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, later this year. The SeaMobile communications service is designed to allow guests and staff of Crystal Cruises to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea. Charges for calls and data services will then appear on the user's wireless bill from their home carrier. The simple-to-use, high-quality service is expected to complement a host of luxury services aboard the Crystal Cruises ships.

SeaMobile, Inc., a provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Geolink, a pioneer and leading provider of satellite-based broadband communications and networking services with extensive experience serving the European market. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. During the past year, SeaMobile has quickly become the dominant player in at-sea communications services. In May 2006, SeaMobile also acquired satellite industry leader Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). With the acquisition of Geolink, SeaMobile now provides broadband satellite, wireless voice and data, internet connectivity, television and other services for more than 300 maritime vessels throughout the world.

The evolution of satellite communication use at sea closely mirrors that of land-based communication trends: a never-ending quest for speed, reliability and lower costs. While it is foolhardy to select this or any other single technology as the one with the greatest impact on the maritime industry, a strong case could be made for satellite communication. Prior to the introduction of radio, maritime communication was generally limited to line-of-sight visual signaling during clear weather, plus noise-makers such as bells and foghorns. The advent of radio greatly reduced the isolation of ships during emergencies and was quickly responsible for saving thousands of lives. The first ship-to-shore, two-way radio conversation reportedly occurred in 1922, between Deal Beach, N.J., and the S.S.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Fla., a provider of satellite-based communications, networking and other services to the cruise and offshore oil and gas industries, announced completion of its acquisition by an affiliate of Perseus, L.L.C. Perseus is a merchant bank and private equity fund management company with offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Over the past year, MTN has significantly expanded in its core markets and made significant inroads in its military business. In March 2004, MTN launched a joint venture with Cingular Wireless (formerly AT&T Wireless) to give passengers on North American cruises the ability to use their own mobile phones at sea for the first time.