Telecommunications Services News

The market for marine services in support of the installation and maintenance of undersea telecommunications cables has matured over a period of more than 100 years to reach its present state of development. The largest providers of marine services (companies such as the Global Marine Group, SubCom, Alcatel Submarine Networks and Orange Marine) take different approaches to operations, but provide a mature and assured set of services that play a critical role in the industry. Marine services support the suppliers of undersea cable systems (delivering 50…

The CMA CGM Group has hired Rajesh Krishnamurthy as group senior vice president IT & transformation, as the French container carrier seeks to further accelerate its digital push. Digitalization is considered an integral piece of CMA CGM’s growth plan, having been labeled a key strategic priority by CEO Rodolphe Saadé. “To accelerate this transformation, CMA CGM is recruiting the best specialists in the field and that is why CMA CGM is recruiting Rajesh Krishnamurthy to drive this strategy,” CMA CGM said.

Oman to roll out the national maritime communications network along its lengthy coastline soon, says Al-Madakhel Investment that has been tasked with design, construction and operation of the new maritime communications network. A report in Oman Daily Observer says that the Muscat-based Al Madakhel is implementing the ambitious project under a licence issued to the company to build, operate and the upgrade Oman's maritime communications infrastructure. The company has the mandate to establish and operate the requisite infrastructure for the provision of general marine telecommunications services in the Sultanate. A senior company official…

The U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has publish revised Cuba sanctions regulations opening trade with Cuba for the first time in decades. Those changes, issued January 16, 2015, are the first step in moving toward normal relations with Cuba. The revised regulations ease certain limitations on travel to Cuba and certain associated services (e.g., insurance services), broaden exports and imports, and make financial transactions related to authorized transactions easier. The biggest impacts appear to be in travel, telecommunications, financial services and exports to the Cuban private sector. A pre-release of the revised regulations from the U.S.

Florida-based Harris Corporation informs it has been awarded a US Navy potential US$133-Million broadband satellite communication terminal contract. Harris to deliver up to 120 high-data-rate terminals to support mission communications and morale of shipboard personnel. Terminals greatly enhance shipboard access to high-bandwidth services. Contract brings total potential value to more than $250 million of contract awards to Harris under the Navy’s Commercial Broadband Satellite Program.

Arctic Fibre Inc plans to construct a 15,167 km (9,424 mile) subsea fibre optic cable; North Alaska Slope residents to benefit. Arctic Fibre announce that it will partner with Anchorage-based Quintillion Networks, LLC to provide broadband telecommunications services to more than 26,500 Alaska residents living along the Alaskan North Slope and Bering Sea coastline, and to provide a geographically diverse alternate fibre route for traffic from the United States to Europe and Asia. Arctic Fibre was established in 2009 to explore deploying a fibre optic telecommunications system through the Canadian Arctic. Arctic Fibre plans to construct a 15…

The project, which is the result of the collaboration between Telesal, Costa Cruises, Genoa’s Galliera Hospital, the C.I.R.M. and D’Apollonia, has premiered at the Telemedicine Conference in Rome. The experimental phase, which will be carried out on board the Italian line’s flagship Costa Concordia starting in early 2009, will enable the future real-time delivery of clinical care 24 hours a day even on the high seas. Europe’s first ever experiment in maritime telemedicine on board a large passenger ship has premiered at the Telemedicine Conference held at Rome’s Ospedale San Giovanni Calibita, Fatebenefratelli. The project is the result of the collaboration between Italy and Europe’s number one cruise line Costa Cruises…

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.

Lockheed Martin and Comsat have completed the strategic combination following final approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The transaction was accomplished via a one-for-one tax-free exchange of Lockheed Martin common stock for Comsat common stock for the remaining 51 percent of Comsat stock Lockheed Martin did not own. The value of the exchange of common stock is approximately $790 million. Comsat will become an integral element of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation comprising Lockheed Martin's telecommunications services business. The resultant new business, with projected revenues approaching $1 billion, plans to offer services in the U.S.

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…

Pacific Corporate Group LLC, a private equity investment, fund management and advisory firm, has led an equity financing round totaling more than $110 million for ORBCOMM, a Dulles, Va.-based provider of global satellite telecommunications services. Pacific Corporate Group has committed to purchase $60 million in preferred equity of ORBCOMM for a minority stake in the company. Other investors participating in the financing round include MH Equity Investors, Northwood Ventures, OHB Technology AG, Ridgewood Capital, Torch Hill Capital, and members of ORBCOMM senior management. “Our investment in ORBCOMM reflects our strategy of investing in well-managed, established companies that have significant growth potential,” said Tim Kelleher, a Managing Director of Pacific Corporate Group.