Satellite Communications Network News

OceanGate Expeditions has announced Inmarsat as the satellite service provider for the 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition. Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress high-speed satellite service will enable OceanGate Expeditions’ at-sea crew to instantly connect with scientific and operational resources anywhere in the world and to share important findings immediately while enhancing safety for the entire operation. Following the tragic loss of life in the sinking of Titanic, the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was adopted.

Iridium launched its Iridium Certus broadband service for commercial customers, the first new capability activated from the company’s $3 billion Iridium Next satellite replacement program.Iridium Certus is a platform designed for the development of specialty global broadband service applications, offering on-the-move internet and voice access, the mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe said.The service enables mobile office functionality for deployed teams and two-way remote communication for assets, autonomous vehicles, trains, aircraft and ships at sea. This also includes safety-of-life services…

Transmetrics’ digital solution optimizes marine logistics using AI technologies and Marlink’s global multi-band networkMarlink has signed an agreement with Transmetrics to establish a strategic business partnership aimed at predictive logistics optimization for maritime customers. The agreement will enable Transmetrics, a Forbes-awarded start-up, to leverage Marlink’s broadband satellite communications network, digital solutions and contacts to further develop maritime logistics innovations.

The U.S. Navy awarded a contract modification to General Dynamics Mission Systems to build and deliver more than 30 new AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radios (DMR), along with related materials and equipment for new Navy surface vessels and submarines. The software-defined radios are a mission critical communications hub for Navy vessels and submarines. The contract modification exercises the sixth option to a contract awarded to General Dynamics in 2010. A majority of the work will be done at General Dynamics’ Scottsdale, Arizona, location. “This contract demonstrates the Navy’s continuing trust in DMR as it keeps pace with new and innovative communications technology for sailors and their commanders to securely connect with one another anywhere…

Inmarsat and Ericsson have signed a strategic maritime agreement that is intended to facilitate the sharing of cargo, logistics and vessel operational data to help streamline the maritime supply chain. The two companies will jointly develop services, solutions and applications to drive industry standards for satellite connectivity and application integration in the maritime industry. As a first step, Ericsson has signed a distribution contract to offer XpressLink, Inmarsat’s combined L-band and Ku-band VSAT network for the maritime market. XpressLink offers an easy upgrade path to Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress service, powered by the new Global Xpress constellation, when it becomes available in the coming months.

General Dynamics C4 Systems successfully demonstrated that the AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radios closed a 2,000-mile communications gap between Phoenix, Ariz., and a second set of users in Taunton, Mass. The successful 2,000-mile transmission of the PRC-155 Manpack radio channels bridged the Line of Sight Rifleman Radio and Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) radio communications to orbiting Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellites. "With the success of this demonstration, General Dynamics successfully demonstrated the promise of the MUOS satellite communications system using PRC-155 Manpack radios. The demonstration also successfully showed how dismounted Soldiers…

VT iDirect announce that OmniAccess S.L., communications provider to superyacht & megayacht owners, has successfully launched a live satellite communications network built on iDirect's latest iDX 3.2 software and incorporating the high-performance X7 remote. The network, which was tested at Intelsat's Fuchstadt teleport over the IS-902 satellite, reached a data throughput rate of 50 Mbps. OmniAccess now plans a critical upgrade to its BroadBEAM ULTRA satellite service that will deliver higher throughput rates of 50 to 100 Mbps. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology anf OmniAccess is the first of its customers to launch a commercial service based on iDX 3.2 and X7.

KVH distributor Mackay Communications offers a unique, transportable terminal for mini-VSAT Broadband service. KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) today announced a portable configuration of its ultra-compact TracPhone® V3 mobile satellite communication system designed for use by emergency responders. The kit, created by KVH distributor Mackay Communications, houses the TracPhone V3 antenna, modem, control unit, and cabling in two compact, hard-sided cases that can be transported easily and are even small enough to be checked as baggage on commercial aircraft.

Marlink, global provider of maritime satellite communications, has recently confirmed delivery and installation of its Sealink VSAT solution on the Atlantic Oilfield Services oil & gas support unit KS Titan 2. Chartered by Exxon Mobil, KS Titan 2 is the second Atlantic Oilfield Services rig to be installed with Marlink's Sealink system. "Since its installation, the crew have been very satisfied with Marlink's Sealink VSAT. The system provides always-on, reliable connectivity which is essential to meet the modern demands of the digital oilfield.

KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ:KVHI) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. Revenue for the first quarter of 2010 was $28.0 million, up 53% from the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Net income for the period was $2.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. During the same period last year the company reported a net loss of $2.6 million or $0.18 per diluted share, on revenues of $18.3 million. "I am very pleased with our performance during the first quarter as we set new records for quarterly revenue and net income. These results were driven by strong contributions from our strategic initiatives in fiber optic gyros (FOGs) and global satellite communications," said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH's chief executive officer.

KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ:KVHI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $26.3 million, up 24% from the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Net income for the period was $1.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. During the same period last year the company reported net income of $0.3 million or $0.02 per diluted share. For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenue was $89.1 million, up 8% compared to $82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. KVH reported a net loss of $0.1 million or $0.01 per share for 2009. During the same period last year, the company reported net income of $3.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share.

Marlink has launched the Access Controller, a new cost-effective system which enables the seamless management of a ship's onboard satellite communications network. The compact and lightweight system can be installed on any vessel to make switching between VSAT, Iridium OpenPort or Inmarsat FleetBroadband systems extremely quick and easy, helping users to efficiently manage the costs of satellite communications at sea. "Bandwidth, coverage and costs vary from one satellite communications solution to another, which has led many ship operators to install more than one system onboard so that all of their requirements can be met. Our new Access Controller ensures that management of multiple systems is trouble-free.

Halliburton has signed an agreement with Vanco Energy Company for the provision of engineering and consulting services in several deepwater regions offshore West Africa. The agreement comes as Vanco, the largest holder of deepwater exploration licenses in Sub-Saharan Africa, prepares for a major drilling program offshore West Africa, beginning in late 2002. The operator expects to drill at least six deepwater exploratory wells offshore Equatorial Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, and Namibia. Halliburton is providing Vanco with a LNG project screening study, software licenses, and screening tools. Halliburton's business unit, Halliburton Energy Services, is scheduled to begin engineering related work within the next few weeks.

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.

Iridium Satellite LLC, which bought the assets of bankrupt Iridium LLC in December 2000, announced the successful deployment of five new spare satellites. This launch marks a significant milestone in the resurrection of the Iridium service and brand. Less than a year after launching commercial service and nearly two years since the original company closed its doors and planned to destroy the satellite constellation, Iridium Satellite has taken a significant step to extending the life of its global satellite communications network into 2010 and beyond. Launched by The Boeing Company on a Delta II launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Feb.

Ships transiting the Great Barrier Reef are being urged to participate in a world-leading automated ship reporting trial starting tomorrow. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority in conjunction with Maritime Safety Queensland is calling for ships that sail through the Reef to take part in the trial, which will use INMARSAT-C – a global satellite communications network – to provide a near-real time picture of shipping activity in the region. There are about 6000 ship movements through the GBR each year. The INMARSAT-C terminals on ships participating in the voluntary trial will be remotely programmed to send automated position reports every 15 minutes to REEFCENTRE – the ship reporting base at Hay Point, near Mackay. Ships will not incur any costs associated with this trial.