Mobile Packet Data Service News

Inmarsat Ltd, the global mobile satellite communications provider unveiled the first product in its Inmarsat Fleet portfolio, Fleet F77 at Europort 2001. family of three, Fleet F77 offers a unique new Mobile ISDN and Mobile Packet Data service for the maritime community delivering voice, fax and data services at speeds of up to 64 kbit/s. maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) safety standard. With Fleet F77, maritime users will have the flexibility to choose the most cost-efficient two-way communications service for their varying data requirements. The mobile packet data service is a unique maritime solution, charging users only for the data they send and receive, not the time they are connected.

the company dubs the smallest, lightest maritime Fleet terminal ever. Fleet55. measuring just 35 cm in diameter, and a weight of only 4 kg. terminal due to the terminal's size, weight, and cost. the Inmarsat spot beam area. Data Service (MPDS) planned for introduction in the beginning of 2004. online. access. Thrane & Thrane's Marine Sales Manager, Kim Bille Gram said. or simply make quality phone or fax calls.

Telenor Satellite Services today announced the commercial launch of Telenor Fleet F55, the first high-speed data solution available for coastal and regional vessels and large yachts. The company also announced that it plans to commercially launch the third member of the Inmarsat Fleet family, Fleet F33, by the end of November. The two new services provide small to medium-sized vessels a powerful communications solution incorporating global voice and a range of data and fax services. Telenor Fleet F55 service offers maritime customers high-speed data communications, at up to 64kbps, in smaller equipment suitable for smaller vessels. F55 service provides users the flexibility of mobile ISDN and Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS)…

Marlink, a subsidiary of Telenor Satellite Services, announced that it is extending its "Super Quiet Time" and "Inmarsat A to Fleet" maritime communications programs offered via Telenor. Both programs, first offered in early 2003, are designed to make "at sea" satellite communications more affordable and easier for mariners. Marlink is extending its Super Quiet Time program through March 2005, offering customers substantially reduced prices for prepaid voice calls over Inmarsat-B, -M, Mini-M, GAN, Fleet and Swift services. Marlink has significantly increased the SQT calling hours in all ocean regions, including 24-hours-a-day SQT calling on Saturdays and Sundays.

Simrad has launched two sophisticated new satellite communication systems based on the Inmarsat Fleet satellite platform. The MS33 and MS55 are designed to offer voice and data services for leisure and professional vessels with internet, email, fax and telephone functionality providing a total communications solution. The MS33 features an Integrated Data Service that can connect at speeds up to 9.6kbps for voice, fax and batched transmissions. It utilizes advanced data compression technology that makes data transmission up to seven times faster than other comparable systems on the Fleet 33 service. Communications costs can be kept down as the MS33 is also capable of using the Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS)…

Stratos Global Corp. announced the availability of Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) for Inmarsat Fleet F33, bringing the benefits of always-on connectivity and data- transmission-based billing to smaller maritime vessels, including leisure, fishing, and coastal patrol boats. Stratos is the first Inmarsat service provider to formally announce the launch of this significant enhancement to Fleet F33. MPDS for Fleet F33 features persistent connectivity at speeds up to 64 kbps incoming from the satellite and up to 28 kbps outgoing from the terminal. This always-on, higher-speed option is particularly suited to IP-based data applications, such as Web surfing, intranet access and e-mail.

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.

Inmarsat, the original mobile satcom provider for the maritime industry, has been riding the crest of a wave recently, with users at an all-time high, overall 99.9 per cent satellite reliability and the launch of its Fleet F77, Mobile ISDN and Mobile Packet Data services for the maritime community. Ruth Ling reports on what's new and what lies on the horizon. Twenty years ago, a revolution hit the maritime industry. Satellite communications became available to ships at sea. Back in 1982, when Inmarsat began offering onboard satellite communications, its first and only system was Inmarsat A, which offered voice, facsimile, telex and data services. After nine years of successful service and expansion into most maritime sectors, Inmarsat began offering Inmarsat C.

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.

On April 1, Xantic became the world’s first company to offer the new maritime Inmarsat Fleet 77 service globally. It is also the first provider to have its service commercially approved for global operations by Inmarsat. It is the service’s availability via the company’s Burum (Netherlands) and Perth (Australia) Land Earth Stations that allow Xantic to become the first LESO to offer a fully global Inmarsat Fleet service, spanning all four Inmarsat ocean regions. Approval for commercial operation was granted by Inmarsat at the end of March following a successful and extensive test program. Inmarsat Fleet allows several forms of rapid and effective communication…

Thrane & Thrane introduces its new maritime high-speed terminal, Capsat® Fleet77.Orders for more than DKK 14 million have been received. Shipment of the Capsat® Fleet77 will commence soon. As the first manufacturer Thrane & Thrane will introduce a new maritime high-speed terminal for Inmarsat’s Fleet F77 service. The new terminal, Capsat® Fleet77, is a competitive alternative to the present Inmarsat-B terminals typically used on large merchant and fishing vessels. This is a new market for Thrane & Thrane and has an annual value of approximately $30 million. Since the Capsat® Fleet77 was unveiled at the Europort fair in November 2001, Thrane & Thrane has received orders for more than $2 million from approximately 30 distribution partners. Shipment of the Capsat® Fleet77 will commence soon.

In relation to the service launch of Fleet77 by Inmarsat on April 10, 2002, Thrane & Thrane is has started shipping Capsat Fleet77 products to its partners and distributors worldwide. "We have now been shipping Capsat Fleet77 systems to our distributors for a couple of weeks in order to enable them to demonstrate the product to the end users from the beginning of the service period" says Kim Bille Gram, Maritime Sales Manager, Thrane & Thrane. "We are pleased to be able to provide Capsatâ Fleet77 terminals to ship owners all over the world. Our Capsatâ Fleet77 systems have at this stage been tested onboard 7 different ships, which have been sailing in all ocean regions. These ships range from large container carriers to small fishing vessels.

Thrane & Thrane is extending its size through acquisition in an effort to be positioned as the world’s leading manufacturer of equipment for mobile satellite communication. The company acquired EuroCom Industries (Denmark), a company whose products are sold under the Sailor and Skanti brands. “The acquisition of EuroCom Industries strengthens Thrane & Thrane’s position as the world’s leading manufacturer of maritime communication equipment,” said Henrik Lunde, CEO, Thrane & Thrane. “Our customers and distribution partners will now be offered a true “one-stop-shopping” experience that can meet virtually all communication needs from the professional maritime community.

The MV Union Manta, operated by the URS Towage & Salvage Union, Ltd., is designed to assist offshore lifting platforms in the construction of oil drilling rigs, oil and gas production plants, storage spars, and other related at-sea construction. The vessel was delivered on March 21, 2003, and currently operates throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel is fitted with three large winches used for the handling and positioning of offshore platform mooring anchors. Main power is supplied by two 10,000 hp diesel engines, producing 'pull power' of 205 tons. This makes the Union Manta one of the world's largest and most powerful Anchor-Handling Towing Tugs. In addition to these power features, the vessel is equipped for stand-alone remote operated vehicles (ROV) and survey jobs.

Thrane & Thrane is launched a new and enhanced feature for the maritime Fleet77 products: a new 128 kbps ISDN capability that effectively doubles the data speed on the Fleet77 systems. Thrane & Thrane expects this enhancement – a single, dedicated 128 kbps ISDN channel – to be available on all existing Fleet77 systems during Q1 2005. and Group 3 & 4 fax services. The 128 kbps ISDN combined with the MPDS always on capacity will enable customers with high traffic volumes and those requiring higher data rates to achieve the optimal, cost efficient “office at sea”.

Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway announced that it now offers high-speed 128 kbps maritime satellite communications service globally. Telenor has added Pacific Ocean coverage to its existing Fleet F77 128 kbps service in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions. The service is terminated at the company's Pacific Ocean teleport in Santa Paula, California. The Fleet F77 128 kbps service operates over the Inmarsat satellite system and uses Fleet F77 hardware while virtually doubling the data speed normally available associated with the service. The Fleet service and hardware, commercially available since 2002, is currently used by many large vessels such as merchant ships, oil and energy transport ships, cruise liners and ferries, and super yachts.

Xantic has announced the signing of an agreement with Faslink Communications. Xantic will contribute satellite airtime and business support to Faslink, which is providing a new generation of communication facilities to banks and financial institutions across the Philippine archipelago. Faslink Communications provides complete end-to-end turn-key solutions to the banking industry. Working in partnership with Xantic, Faslink is now able to offer financial institutions in The Philippines a solution based on Global Area Network (GAN) terminals, with Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) capabilities. This will provide the missing link to banks located in rural areas, where the current communications infrastructure is neither economical nor reliable.

SAILOR introduced the new satellite communications terminal SAILOR Fleet77. The new terminal is for the recently launched Inmarsat satellite service Fleet77. According to its manufacturers, the SAILOR Fleet77 is a break-through in maritime communications. It enables ship owners to optimize business opportunities and minimize costs by integration of the entire fleet into a corporate network. Each vessel can stay on-line constantly at no charge from Inmarsat. Only the transferal of megabites will be charged. The vessel’s various needs for voice, fax, e-mail and Internet services can be covered by the SAILOR Fleet77 system. The Sailor Fleet77…

Inmarsat’s new Fleet F55 service is undergoing evaluation with the U.S. Coast Guard aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater. The evaluation follows extensive beta testing and successful launch of the Fleet F55 service in April 2003, and forms part of the company ' s 2003 Maritime Field Evaluations (MFEs) program for the service. As part of the evaluation with the U.S. Coast Guard, an EMS Technologies Fleet F55 terminal has been installed on the USCG Shearwater, an 87-foot Island Class coastal patrol vessel based out of Portsmouth, Virginia, USA. Airtime provision for the evaluation is being provided by Telenor Satellite Services, Inc. " The MFE being conducted with the U.S.

Advances in communication services for ships and boats is expanding rapidly, keeping pace with development cycles of landside installations. Last autumn, Inmarsat unveiled Fleet F55 and Fleet F33, the two new members of the Fleet family designed to meet the communication needs of small to medium-sized vessels. Earlier this year, EMS SATCOM, a division of EMS Technologies, Inc., entered the maritime market with it pedigree of land-based communication solution expertise. At NorShipping in Oslo, the company announced that it has received full Inmarsat type-approval for its new Fleet 55 Maritime satellite terminal. EMS Technologies is a $310 million company with 1,800 employees worldwide. In 1968, Dr. John E.

Thrane & Thrane has introduced a new maritime high-speed terminal, the Capsat Fleet55. The new terminal is the latest member of Thrane & Thrane’s Fleet product family. The Capsat Fleet55 is smaller, lighter and lower priced than the Capsat Fleet77 terminal introduced in March 2002. Most notably the Capsat Fleet55 comes with an antenna significantly smaller than the antenna on the Capsat Fleet77. The Capsat® Fleet55 terminal offers cost-effective global voice and spot beam high-speed data communication based on either 64 kbps ISDN or MPDS (Mobile Packet Data Service) protocol with constant online access. As users only pay for the amount of data transferred…

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine business unit has received an order from German shipowner Martime Gesellschaft für maritime Diensleistungen mbH to supply new-generation satellite communication systems for seven ships. The vessels -- four container ships, three gas tankers and one chemical tanker -- will be retrofitted with Sperry Marine's new digital NAVICOM F 77 marine satellite communication terminals, replacing the existing analogue Inmarsat-A systems. two-way voice and data communications between ship and shore using the new Inmarsat Fleet 77 satellite service. The system can support the mobile packet data service (MPDS) protocol with constant online access or a 64 kbps ISDN connection for uploading or downloading large data files.

LandSea Systems has introduced a new maritime high-speed terminal, the TT-3086A Capsat® Fleet55. The new terminal is the latest member of Thrane & Thrane's Fleet product family. The Capsat Fleet55 is smaller, lighter and lower priced than the successful Capsat® Fleet77 terminal. Available from stock, the Fleet55 provides mariners high-speed and cost effective voice and data communications based on either MPDS (Mobile Packet Data Service) protocol with constant online access, or on a 64K ISDN connection. The new standard MPDS feature allows the user the ability to be online, all of the time, paying only for the data sent and received rather than paying for the time online.