Satcom Global News

Satcom Global announces VSAT coverage upgrade benefitting customers operating in European and Indian Ocean waters.Satcom Global announced another extension to its Aura VSAT maritime communications network, with the addition of two new satellite beams; Astra 4a Nordic and SES-12 IOR.The Astra 4a Nordic Ku-band beam was introduced to the Satcom Global Aura network in December 2020 to support customers operating in European waters. With carriers optimized for the performance of smaller Ku-band terminals…

Ireland headquartered ship owner and charterer Arklow Shipping has contracted communications solutions provider Satcom Global to install Aura VSAT across 17 newbuild vessels due for delivery from 2021 onward.The new vessels will be activated on a range of Aura service packages, all with Committed Information Rate for guaranteed service quality, and companion options to suit their different sailing patterns. Ten new C-Class vessels will benefit from unlimited Ku-band connectivity with 4G back-up to complement their short sea shipping requirements and operations close to shore.

Iridium Communications announced the first seven companies it has authorized to provide its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) services, planned for commercial introduction in the first half of 2020. The seven companies, Arion Communications, AST, Marlink, Marsat, NSSLGlobal, Satcom Global and Speedcast will be the first in the industry to provide truly global satellite GMDSS service to mariners, and the first to offer a new choice in satellite network and equipment.

International ship management company Zodiac Maritime has extended its satellite communications agreement with Satcom Global, rolling out flagship VSAT service, Satcom Global Aura, across its globally trading fleet of tankers, bulk carriers and container ships. To date, 36 vessels are live on the Aura network enjoying reliable high-speed communications, and upwards of 80 will be installed on Zodiac-managed vessels by the end of the year.Committed to providing seafarers with a superior quality of life aboard its vessels…

Elcome International said it has completed a satellite communications retrofit program for a major fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers providing broadband data and voice services. “Our team decommissioned the existing VSAT systems and installed new SAILOR 900 antennas and below-deck systems on 40 ships within four months. Most of the installations were performed at sea, and the others were made at ports in eight different countries,” said Jimmy Grewal, executive director of Dubai-based Elcome International.

Antwerp based crude oil tanker company Euronav has signed a deal with Satcom Global for its Aura Ku-Band VSAT service. With Satcom Global Aura on-board, Euronav’s fleet will benefit from a global service that provides guaranteed bandwidth via a generous Committed Information Rate (CIR). The crew will experience significantly enhanced connectivity while business critical applications are supported with ease. During 2017, Euronav undertook a comprehensive series of sea trials using Aura and following excellent results decided to begin a fleet wide rollout of the service.

SES S.A. has announced  that Satcom Global, a provider of global satellite communications services to the maritime and land sectors, will become a key partner for SES. The differentiated mobility solution will form a crucial part of Satcom Global’s new Ku-band VSAT service, Aura, providing seamless, reliable and high-speed connectivity to hundreds of maritime, offshore and land customers. The agreement provides Satcom Global with seamless access to SES's satellite fleet and upcoming next generation hybrid satellites with high throughput payloads.

Did you know that there are approximately 1.6 million seafarers today, and that 69% of those recently surveyed say access to crew communications at sea influences their choice of employer? Statistics show that the crew communications market value exceeded $1.39 billion USD last year and although 89% of seafarers understand and feel comfortable using satellite communications technology, there are 78,000 crew who never have access to it. Only 56% of crew always have access to crew communications, and with crew welfare continually a hot topic, increasing access to quality and real-time communications whilst at sea puts owners in a stronger position to attract and retain the right crew.

Satcom Global has announced the launch of Aura: a global VSAT solution offering high quality, high bandwidth connectivity across a variety of customizable packages. Already live on a wide variety of vessels and fixed remote locations around the world following a successful trial period, Aura will set new standards for military, maritime, offshore, and enterprise businesses looking for flexible global communications both at sea and on land. Focused on flexibility, Satcom Global Aura provides customers with a solution tailored to their specific requirements.

Satcom Global, a maritime satellite communications provider, and Intellian, a satellite antenna developer and manufacturer, have signed a strategic partnership agreement covering the global supply and distribution of maritime satellite equipment. Under the partnership, Satcom Global will have access to Intellian’s full range of Ku-Band, Ka-Band and FleetBroadband hardware, supporting the delivery of its portfolio of VSAT and L-Band services to maritime customers across the globe. Ian Robinson, CEO at Satcom Global said, “Intellian is exactly the kind of committed partner we want on our team to help penetrate deeper into the maritime market with a truly world class managed connectivity solution.

Satcom Global has launched a maritime system bringing seafarers up to speed with today’s ‘connect anytime anywhere’ culture, enabling those at sea to keep in touch with the rest of the world with their own device. The latest addition to Satcom Global’s product portfolio offers ‘Bring Your Own Device’ technology to vessels at sea, where crew can access web-based services via internet café hotspots through their own Apple, Android and Windows, tablets, smartphones and laptops. With the growing demand for technology and communications on-board…

Today, Satcom Global launched its Australian website, www.satcomglobal.com.au, which will offer a platform to better support our valued channel partners and customers in the region. The new website will provide local points of contact, and will address the varied and growing Australian market with relevant product information and industry news. The continued geographical expansion of Satcom Global, which in the last year has seen opening of news offices in both Russia and Australia, now means Satcom Global has offices on the east and west coasts of Australia supporting our valued customers across Oceania. Our teams in Brisbane and Perth provide experienced and reliable sales…

Satcom Global has announced the launch of three new exclusive postpay voice and data bundles for the Inmarsat Fleet One service. Fleet One brings cost effective satellite communications to small vessels including yachts and fishing vessels, through a compact, lightweight and easy to install antenna. Accessing weather information and chart updates, keeping in contact with loved ones or simply checking the news are now as simple to do at sea as they are on land. As well as these new postpay bundles, we also offer a Fleet One Prepaid service, with vouchers available in a flexible range of unit denominations and validity lengths. With Fleet One, smaller vessel owners can now stay connected without having to worry about cellular coverage or network roaming charges.

Broadband Satellite Services Ltd (BSS), parent company of satellite communications provider Satcom Global and marine engineering firm AND Group, has received a $10m investment from UK based organisation, Business Growth Fund (BGF). This significant investment will allow BSS to accelerate its long-term growth strategy, enabling expansion and development within the Mobile Satellite Services market, further strengthening Satcom Global’s position as a top tier distributor of services to maritime, offshore, aeronautical, media and aid customers across the globe. Ian Robinson, CEO of BSS said: “At Satcom Global and AND Group we take pride in being one of the most innovative and customer oriented players in the Mobile Satellite Services sector.

Inmarsat has provided an initial update on the launch schedule for Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) following the failure of the preceding Proton Breeze M launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Saturday 16 May. According to an announcement by Inmarsat’s launch partner, ILS, the Proton Breeze M rocket carrying the Centenario satellite suffered a disabling anomaly during the operation of the third stage, approximately eight minutes after lift-off, resulting in the loss of the satellite and rocket. A Russian State Commission has begun the process of determining the reasons for the failure. In parallel with the State Commission, ILS will form its own Failure Review Oversight Board, which will review the State Commission’s final report and corrective action plan, in accord with U.S.

Thuraya Telecommunications Company today launched the industry's most advanced satellite phone, the Thuraya XT-PRO. Targeted at professional users across a range of market sectors including government, energy, media and NGOs, the Thuraya XT-PRO is the only satellite phone to feature built-in GPS, BeiDou and Glonass for highest accuracy and added security in every region. The Thuraya XT-PRO has a talk-time of up to 9 hours, which is the longest on any satellite phone. It is jet-water, dust and shock resistant, ensuring it withstands the harshest environments. Its hardened Gorilla® glass display is the largest available on a satellite phone; and the screen is designed for glare resistance, which allows for optimal visibility in bright sunlight.

Following a strong year for the satellite communications provider, Satcom Global announced the opening of new office in Perth, in order to better serve their valued customers and partners in Western Australia. As a trusted and experienced satellite communications provider, Satcom Global has been reliably serving the Australian market for over 14 years, and the Satcom Global Oceania team boasts friendly experts across the country including Sydney, Brisbane and now Perth. The new Perth office will provide dedicated sales and account management, specializing in maritime, land, M2M (Machine-to-Machine) and handheld satellite communications, offering a personalised service to fit the needs of local companies.

Satcom Global is delighted to announce a new, simplified BGAN Link proposition from Inmarsat that offers customers a more attractive solution for data connectivity from a remote, fixed location. BGAN Link is designed to give you a flexible and affordable communications solution that you can deploy quickly and easily anywhere in the world. BGAN Link offers a compelling solution for reliable data connectivity, so if you have any further questions on how you can implement the solution into your satellite communications systems, please Just Ask one of our friendly experts.

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.

Broadband Satellite Services Limited (BSS), an investment company based in the North East of England, has completed the acquisition of AND Group & the Satcom Global group of companies. Focused on the satellite communication and telecommunication markets, BSS acquired the two businesses as part of its growth strategy, to expand into all of the key vertical markets within the mobile satellite services sector. The merged group has a geographical footprint covering all of the core markets and revenues of over $100 million. "Combining the network assets of AND Group and Satcom Global fits perfectly within our strategic framework of strengthening our end-to-end solutions capabilities in key areas…

Beam Granted World’s First Approval for Iridium Extreme Docking Station. Beam Communications Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of World Reach Limited (ASX: WRR), announces it has received certification by Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) for use of Beam’s LiteDOCK docking station for the Iridium Extreme® satellite phone. Beam is the first manufacturer in the world to receive Iridium’s official certification of a docking unit for the Iridium Extreme handset. Iridium is the operator of the world’s furthest reaching communications network.