Mobile Services News

Maritime satellite communications company Marlink said Thursday that it had secured overall responsibility for the provision of hybrid network connectivity to the Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore. In January 2020, Solstad Offshore renewed its connectivity contract with Marlink, committing 65 offshore vessels to Marlink’s high-throughput  Ku-band VSAT service. The remaining 25 ships will now be migrated to Marlink’s smart hybrid network, with an upgrade to bandwidth…

The satellite communications provider Marlink is introducing an all-encompassing new hybrid communication service, called Sealink Global 4GThe Sealink Global 4G, as a turnkey solution it provides everything needed to leverage fast, low-latency mobile services when in network range while complementing VSAT connectivity when in regulated regions.Devised as a single global capability with full predictability on performance and costs, Sealink Global 4G is a ready-to-go solution bringing a new dimension of low-latency and flexible connectivity to Marlink’s global multi-band maritime network.The subscription is part of Marlink’s suite of 4G…

A contract signed in London at the end of last month by Inmarsat and SRH Marine SAIT formalizes arrangements for real-time Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) updating to be accomplished ‘ship-to-shore’ using an application over FleetBroadband for the first time.The SRH Delta platform, which includes chart updates, publications and notices of mariners, will be available for L-band transmission to any FleetBroadband user equipped with the new, dedicated bandwidth…

Inmarsat and Intellian have signed an outline agreement that will support enhancements to Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband service for the next decade and beyond. The new agreement will see Intellian design and manufacture a new generation of FleetBroadband terminals that will support the existing I-4 network alongside the major advances coming with Inmarsat’s sixth generation satellite constellation, the first of which is scheduled for launch in 2020. The next generation terminals will be significantly lower cost and feature a host of new capabilities, including much faster throughput speeds.

Telenor Maritime has a longstanding relationship with Color Line, and has now announced an expansion of the communications services on board the entire Color Line fleet, deploying connectivity platforms supporting the complete digital value chain that aim to enhance the customer experience. “Telenor Maritime is a mobile company at sea, placing the mobile in the center of all we do. With our connectivity platform, we take full end-to-end responsibility for connecting the applications…

There’s a digital disconnect offshore. The communication standards we take for granted on land are cut adrift at sea; hampering data transfer for businesses, while severing individuals’ lifelines to social media networks. What’s to ‘like’ about that? Frode Støldal, CEO of MCP, has had enough. “We think it’s time for a new mobile communications reality,” says a steely eyed Frode Støldal from his seat at the Offshore Technology Days conference in Bergen, Norway. “The offshore community suffers…

Seasat A/S, the Danish communications services provider, specialized in delivering reliable broadband, television and voice services for the maritime market announces today that it has been awarded a multiyear contract with Maersk Supply Service. The contract covers the delivery of 60+ VSAT systems with broadband airtime from Eutelsat and SpeedCast, and is based on SAILOR 900 antennas from Cobham SATCOM. The contract runs for 36 months - Seasat A/S will install and commission the systems as well as provide service and support to the vessels. With this service setup, Maersk Supply Service will be able to enhance crew welfare and ship to shore connectivity in a global footprint.

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) has signed an extended contract to deliver wireless communication services to Stena Line’s European ferry operations. MCP, a  onboard communications provider, has announced  the extension of its partnership with Stena Line. The new contract is an extension of the existing contract, and expands MCP’s wireless communication services on to an additional two Stena Line vessels. These vessels include the former Scandlines vessels Sassnitz and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The new contract will ensure the most reliable end-to-end wireless services available. Passengers will have access to state of the art mobile communication services, with MCP enhancing today’s GSM service with higher bandwidth systems like 3G and LTE in the coming years.

Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of satellite services, today announced that Harris CapRock Communications, a global provider of fully managed communications for remote and harsh environments, will utilize the Intelsat EpicNG platform on Intelsat 29e for advanced fixed and mobile services. Under a multi-year agreement, Harris CapRock will utilize the next- generation Intelsat EpicNG platform to expand its service offerings and offer new applications to its global customers across the energy, maritime and government markets. Harris CapRock currently has Ku-band capacity on multiple satellites on the Intelsat fleet, which will expand to Intelsat 29e when it is launched.

Thuraya Telecommunications Company has announced the appointment of Mr. T. Sanford Jewett as their new Vice President, Marketing. Mr. Jewett brings his expertise in international markets to Thuraya and will play a major role in leading the expansion of Thuraya’s global marketing strategies. Sanford has over 25 years of experience in the wireless, internet and satellite industries. His experience includes an extensive focus on introducing technology companies into new markets. Before joining Thuraya, Mr.

Astrium completes the  acquisition of Vizada after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. Vizada is a leading independent provider of global satellite communications services and will be integrated into Astrium Services. This acquisition represents a total consideration of € 673 million and contributes to EADS' strategic Vision 2020. “We are happy to welcome Vizada into the EADS Group, which concludes a successful year for us in terms of acquisitions”, said Marwan Lahoud, Head of EADS Corporate Strategy and Marketing Organisation. According to Eric Béranger, CEO of Astrium Services: “Combining the skills and capabilities of everyone in Vizada and Astrium Services creates a world leading provider of satellite services.

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP), provider of onboard communications to the global cruise fleet, has announced a new five-year contract with Germany’s Aida Cruises for the supply of wireless mobile services and systems to three, 2,174 passenger new builds. The contract for three consecutive new builds in 2010, 2011 and 2012, follows the completion of the installation of wireless cellular systems onboard Princess Cruises, Cunard Lines and P&O Australia ships. It is MCP’s first contract with the German-based AIDA Cruises. The scope of supply covers GSM, GPRS and SMS, and complete turnkey installation including the delivery of network equipment and services, engineering and product management, network design, operation, and system integration.

Telenor of Norway and Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (LMGT) announced that Telenor will acquire LMGT's COMSAT Mobile Communications operations for $116.5 million in cash. The acquisition, which positions Telenor as a major global satellite mobile operator, is subject to regulatory approvals. COMSAT Mobile, with annual revenues in excess of $100 million, provides global mobile communications solutions to the maritime, land mobile and aeronautical communities, and offers data, voice, fax, telex and video capabilities via the Inmarsat satellite constellation. Telenor's purchase of COMSAT Mobile operations also includes two earth station facilities in Southbury, Connecticut, and Santa Paula, California. Linking the two U.S.

Geolink announces the signature and integration of Oceancell GSM onboard network contract with Louis Cruise Lines, the largest cruise enterprise in Mediterranean and one of the key players worldwide. Louis Cruise Lines owning and operating internationally in total 10 cruise ships will rely on the Oceancell service to provide its passengers with direct GSM mobile services onboard its ferries.

Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) and Norcontrol IT entered into a three-year maintenance contract that covers the offshore VTMIS system at the Bay of Campeche oilfield located in the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula. The Bay of Campeche is the largest oilfield in Mexico and the world's largest offshore oil development project. The VTMIS system installed by Norcontrol IT consists of two control centers and seven radar sites, all of which are covered by the maintenance contract. A large capacity, flexible and reliable VTMIS system is required at the Bay of Campeche for several reasons. The coverage area contains between 200-300 vessels per day, all of which have to be monitored to protect the pipelines: Especially important as the bay is only 40-50 m deep in most areas.

France Telecom has signed an agreement with Apax Partners to sell 100 percent of the shares of France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications SA (FTMSC). The completion of the transaction is expected in the near future. FTMSC is one of the world’s largest mobile satellite communications providers, marketing and distributing communications solutions for customers based in areas with limited access to terrestrial telecoms infrastructure. Apax Partners is one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups. Its funds invest in specific industries including telecoms, and provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. This deal will enable FTMSC to consolidate its position on the international mobile satellite communications market.

After over 30 years of service to mariners across the United States, MariTEL is discontinuing Marine radio voice communications service, effective June 6, 2003, citing rising operating costs and declining service revenues. “MariTEL appreciates the opportunity to serve the marine industry over the years. I sincerely hope that MariTEL service has been useful and regret that this action is necessary,” said Dan Smith, President and CEO of MariTEL. “Over the past decade, the coastal radio station voice communications market has been eroded by the proliferation of public mobile services (cellular and PCS), satellite communications, and other commercial mobile radio services.