Terminal Hardware News

Satellite communications services provider Inmarsat said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), establishing a relationship to leverage the ‘smart ship’ connectivity offered by Fleet Xpress at the vessel construction stage. The agreement envisages the South Korean yard installing Inmarsat-approved terminal hardware and offering applications to cover remote machinery diagnostics and CCTV services, to leverage the satellite communications platform’s capabilities from the moment the ship is delivered.

Globe Wireless, a  provider of communications, operational and IT solutions to the maritime industry, has announced Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi AS has selected the Dual Globe iFusion system as the communication solution for both SKS Tankers Holding AS and KGJS Cement Holding AS. The Dual Globe iFusion  solution provides full featured redundancy and reliability for vessels. The dual terminal FleetBroadband configuration allows one Globe iFusion  terminal to act as the primary communication system with the secondary Globe iFusion  terminal acting as a backup.

Stratos Government Services Inc. (SGSI) and Segovia, Inc., wholly owned subsidiaries of Inmarsat plc, today announced they have been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract by the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) for the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Next Generation Wideband (NGW) commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) infrastructure and service. MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S.

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.

Inmarsat Limited have launched the commercial availability of the Fleet F55 and Fleet F33. The new Fleet services incorporate global voice and a range of fax and data services. According to the manufacturers, Inmarsat Fleet F55 and F33 bring the benefits of satellite communications to vessels which were previously restricted by size and cost of terminal hardware. Maritime information, such as sea and weather charts, can now be accessed online and updated in real-time. Users can also enjoy the benefits of reliable, easy access to email whenever and wherever it is needed. "The launch of Fleet F55 and Fleet F33 demonstrates Inmarsat's ongoing commitment to raise the standard of communications available to all parts of the maritime community…