Wireless Services News

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.

CellAtSea®, the brand name of Maritime Communication Partners (MCP) digital wireless services, enables passengers and crew to remain connected through voice, messaging, MMS, mobile internet and Blackberry services while at sea, and the company states a record 24% growth in its digital wireless service over the past 3 years. MCP's global maritime wireless network provides passengers and crew with superior wireless connectivity, and instant access to onboard information and entertainment applications. Virtually seamless, the service is conveniently billed by the user's home carrier. "We experienced an average of 180% increase in data traffic with record passenger and crew use of mobile internet and smart phone services in 2011.

Globecomm Maritime Extends Ericsson Mobile Connectivity to Worldwide Fleet. Globecomm Systems Inc., a global provider of communications solutions and services, announced that it has been selected by Ericsson as a subcontractor of the maritime GSM/VSAT managed operation for an Ericsson mobile communication network. The network will be implemented on up to 400 container vessels worldwide over the next two years, providing end-to-end 24/7 automated monitoring and real-time information control. Globecomm will provide below-deck equipment and provide operation services, under a seven-year subcontract to Ericsson Denmark. Globecomm will provide its VSAT service…

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) announced the renewal of a major four-year management contract with the Stena Line for the deployment of maritime communications solutions onboard 16 passenger ferry vessels including two new super ferries. Services covered by the contract, which lasts until 2013, include GSM and GPRS. Stena Line also confirms future partnering with MCP to streamline dedicated wireless solutions to ship staff and unique SMS-driven marketing solutions to passengers. "This contract maintains and builds a positive environment for our customers. Today, 95% of our GSM business comes from Voice and SMS, but we are seeing an increased volume of data traffic.

As technologically advanced as communications have become, the bottom line, particularly for business applications, remains basically the same: the need for clear, reliable and cost-effective means to communicate. Trends in the transmission of data, voice and e-mail from ship-to-shore are much like that of land-based operations. The need for more speed and increased reliability are never ending, and the companies that excel are the ones that not only continually innovate, but those that consistently stay on the front of the curve to deliver real-world technologies that deliver benefits in the unique maritime operational environment. In parallel, price pressures are ubiquitous, as shipowners are keen to exploit every outlet to cut costs and generate revenue.

NCL Corporation will be the first cruise line to bring passengers on North American cruises the ability to use their cell phones even when communications towers are oceans away. The company is providing the innovative new offering through Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). Leading the way in shipboard technology, NCL pioneered the industry's first Internet access on the high seas with its Internet cafe in 1999. In 2002, NCL became the first cruise line to provide remote wireless Internet (also known as Wi-Fi) to its guests. Both services are now standard throughout NCL's entire fleet. "Cutting-edge onboard technology is important to our guests," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO.

Iridium Satellite LLC announced that Oslo, Norway-based Telenor Satellite Services has signed a service provider agreement to market and sell Iridium services. Under the agreement, Telenor will offer Iridium's voice and data services through its extensive worldwide dealer network. The agreement further strengthens Iridium's global network and user base while complementing Telenor's comprehensive portfolio of satellite communications solutions. "The addition of Telenor to Iridium's roster of service partners supports our ongoing strategy to provide organizations and individuals with remote communications capabilities that are not available from terrestrial-based wireless services," said Gino Picasso, CEO of Iridium Satellite LLC.

SeaMobile Enterprises, a provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services, signed an agreement with Holland America Line. SeaMobile will provide wireless cellular phone and PDA services for Holland America Line’s guests throughout the world. Installations of wireless broadband communications equipment will begin on board Holland America’s entire fleet of 13 ships later this year. The SeaMobile communications service will allow guests and staff of Holland America’s ships to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea. SeaMobile’s proprietary technology is a sophisticated IP/software based solution that works with any type of wireless phone (GSM, GPRS or CDMA) used by the guest when accessing the SeaMobile network.

Trico Marine Services, Inc. announces the appointment of Larry D. Francois as Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining Trico, Francois served as President of Seabulk Offshore, a subsidiary of Seabulk International, Inc., for approximately three years where he was responsible for their worldwide offshore operations. Prior to his tenure at Seabulk, Larry served as area manager of domestic offshore marine operations for Tidewater, Inc. and prior to that assignment was a division manager for Zapata Gulf Marine Corporation in Mexico. Other overseas assignments included international marketing manager in London for Western Oceanic…

SeaMobile, Inc. has acquired Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN), a provider of satellite-based broadband communications and networking services for the maritime industry. The acquisition has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “SeaMobile saw a strategic opportunity to combine the wireless and satellite expertise of the world’s leading maritime communications companies to completely change the way travelers communicate at sea,” said William D. Marks, Chief Executive Officer of SeaMobile. “Cruise travelers can take their own cell phones, Blackberry devices and laptops, read their hometown newspaper, watch live TV, access bank accounts through onboard ATMs and much more.

SeaMobile Inc. has signed an agreement with Oceania Cruises to provide communication solutions for its guests throughout the world. The first ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet to deploy the SeaMobile advanced wireless services will be the line's flagship, Regatta. Guests and staff aboard the ship will be able to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea, just as they do on land. Charges for calls and data services while at sea will simply appear on the wireless customer's bill from their home carrier.

Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture between Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Florida, and Cingular Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the United States, launched its customer and service driven website, www.cellularatsea.com. Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) currently provides wireless service on 15+ cruise vessels of the world’s major cruise lines. WMS was developed specifically for the cruise line industry and offers unique solutions for complete onboard wireless connectivity. Using a combination of the newest technologies available from the parent companies, including the pioneering voice and data satellite capabilities of MTN and the nation’s largest and fastest digital network from Cingular…

The Port of Tacoma recently named Policarpo ("Poli") R. Luis to the position of Engineering Project Manager. utilities, general engineering, construction and maintenance. he was construction project manager for AT&T Wireless Services. And Company, U.S. Windpower, Inc., GTE Sprint Corp. and others. Engineer / Director of Engineering. Luis' educational background includes an M.S. Jose State University (1981), a B.S. Institute of Technology (Manila, Philippines 1968), and a B.S. Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology (1969).