Stratos Global Corporation News

Stratos Global Corporation, provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, announced it has successfully deployed an integrated, broadband crew communications solution for SE Ship Management Pte. Ltd. (SESM), one of Singapore’s leading ship operators and managers. SESM is a subsidiary of SE Shipping Lines Pte. Ltd. (SESL). The Stratos solution includes the deployment of its AmosConnect Crew communications application on the Inmarsat FleetBroadband 150 (FB150) mobile satellite platform. The solution is installed on the SESL vessels SE Pelagica and SE Potentia – both of which are heavy-lift, multipurpose dry cargo vessels that operate worldwide. Inmarsat’s entry-level FB150 service combines a telephone connection with simultaneous IP data at up to 150kbps.

Stratos Global Corporation, global provider of mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, announced it is upgrading Zakher Marine International Inc. (ZMI) vessels to Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband 150 (FB150) mobile broadband satellite service. With each FB150 system ZMI is deploying the popular AmosConnect from Stratos messaging service, which integrates vessel and shore-based office applications. Working with its channel partner Monarch Telecom, Stratos has already activated FB150 service onboard six ZMI vessels: Zakher Duty; Zakher Pelican; Zakher Eagle; Zakher Supplier; Zakher Atlanta and Zakher Emperor. ZMI vessels provide anchor handling, supply and towage for the merchant marine and offshore oil & gas industries in the Middle East.

Stratos Global Corporation announced it has been selected by Stolt Tankers B.V. to provide a fleetwide, high-speed satellite-based communications network. Stolt Tankers is a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen S.A., provider of integrated maritime transportation services.   The Stratos network will serve Stolt’s 75-ship fleet of tanker ships with services that include: Inmarsat B, C and Fleet; and Iridium crew calling. The network is custom-designed for Stolt to help increase the performance and efficiency of a wide variety of business-critical applications, including crew communications to support the recruitment and retention of well-trained seafarers.   (www.stolt-nielsen.com) (www.stratosglobal.com)

Stratos Global Corporation announced it has deployed an Inmarsat FleetBroadband mobile satellite system onboard the tall ship Bark Europa to broadcast coverage of the final leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge between Halifax and Belfast. The system is being used by BBC Northern Ireland. The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 (www.tallshipsraces.org) is organized by Sail Training International and the American Sail Training Assoc. In April, more than 30 tall ships began competing in a series of races that will eventually cover more than 7,000 miles including ports in Spain, Africa, Bermuda, Canada and Northern Ireland. The final leg of the race began July 20 in Halifax and is scheduled to end in Belfast on August 13.

Stratos Global Corporation announced it has been selected by its long-time customer MISC Berhad to provide a customized crew-communications solution for its entire fleet of more than 100 merchant vessels. Stratos is deploying an MISC-branded version of its AmosConnect Crew communications solution to serve thousands of crewmembers, as part of MISC’s “We Care” crew-retention program. The custom solution provides MISC crewmembers with new “MISC Crew Comm” cards to enjoy free private email, low-cost SMS and voice calling. AmosConnect Crew is an all-in-one communication solution for crewmembers. Combining AmosConnect and ChatCard, two of Stratos’ successful services, AmosConnect Crew enables personnel at sea to stay in contact with home via phone, email and SMS at low cost rates.

Stratos Global Corporation, global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, has successfully completed an Inmarsat FleetBroadband field trial with Spain’s Albacora Group. The three-month field trial was conducted onboard the Albacora tuna fishing vessel Albatun Dos in the Indian Ocean. Stratos channel partner Satlink managed the installation of a FleetBroadband 250 terminal manufactured by JRC, which was integrated with the vessel’s local-area network. The successful trial led to Albacora Group retaining the FleetBroadband from Stratos system, which it will use to manage the Albatun Dos’ daily operations at sea.

Inmarsat Holdings Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT), provider of global mobile satellite communications services, reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the 3 months ended 30 September 2008. Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "Our business continues to generate strong revenue and cash flow growth across all of our market sectors. We have seen no impact of global economic weakness in the usage and take…

Stratos Global Corporation (Stratos) announced that Furono Electric Co., Ltd. (Furuno) and Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC) and have become shareholders in JSAT Mobil Communications Inc. (JSAT Mobile). Furuno and JRC, both marine electronics manufacturers, will each assume a 10 percent share in JSAT Mobile. Stratos formed the joint venture company JSAT Mobile in August with Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation (Sky Perfect JSAT) to serve the Mobile satellite communications needs of Japanese businesses and government agencies. Stratos is a leading global provider of advanced Mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions. Sky Perfect JSAT is a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region.

Stratos Global Corporation announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2001. The Corporation is reporting revenue for the fourth quarter of US $80 million, representing growth of $46 million over $34 million for the fourth quarter last year. For the year, revenues were $289 million, up $171 million over 2000. Gross margins as a percentage of revenues improved from 32 percent last year to 37 percent in 2001. Operating income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and transition and other costs ("EBITDA")1 was $19.2 million for the quarter and $62.9 for the year. This represents an increase of $14.2 million over the same quarter last year and an increase of $54.3 million over last year.

The competitive satellite communications market has taken an additional step toward consolidation, with Station 12 — an independent operating business owned 65 percent by KPN (Royal Dutch Telecom) and 35 percent by Telstra — leading the way having the intention of cornering the market. Station 12 recently outlined its strategy to double its size in the next three years, both through organic growth and acquisitions. Station 12 already claims to have 24 percent of the competitive Inmarsat maritime and mobile satellite communications sector, with current annual sales of $215 million. This is expected to rise to $500 million by 2003. The company is the largest customer and shareholder in Inmarsat, the leading provider of wholesale satellite airtime.

The satellite communications sector of the marine market has not been immune from the corporate consolidations that have swept all other corners of the industry, and while this particular niche has been widely regarded as fragmented, it is yet to be seen what the end effect will be for the communication users. However, it can be assumed that competition is still keen, and the name of the communication game continues to center on quality, reliability and capabilities. With an increasing emphasis on the transmission of data rather than traditional voice or fax, it can be assumed that continued efforts will center on widening the information "pipeline" between vessel and shore.

In its effort to continue its expansive growth in the South American market, Iridium® Satellite announced a partnership with Tesacom®, one of the key South American channel partners of Iridium service provider, Stratos Global Corporation. Iridium is a fast-growing service provider in the mobile satellite services (MSS) sector and operates the largest commercial – and only global – satellite constellation in the world. Stratos, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, is one of the key Iridium service partners operating around the world. Stratos is planning to offer a number of enhancements for Tesacom customers through the Stratos Advantage…

Blue Ocean Wireless (BOW), an Irish company focused on delivering GSM communication capability for the merchant maritime sector, has reached an agreement to partner with Stratos Global Corporation (SGB), a provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, to provide Inmarsat satellite services to BOW’s merchant maritime customer base on a non-exclusive basis. The agreement follows successful trials of the BOW offering on board two container vessels conducted in late 2006 by Blue Ocean Wireless, Stratos and Inmarsat. Blue Ocean Wireless will, together with Inmarsat, Stratos and a GSM network operator, provide a global GSM service for crew members of merchant ships.

Stratos Global Corporation signed a letter of intent to purchase the shares of Xantic B.V. This transaction, involving two of the largest providers of mobile satellite services, will create a leading provider of advanced remote communications solutions, with a significantly expanded geographic presence and customer base in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Under the terms of the agreement, Stratos will acquire 100 percent of Xantic, jointly owned by KPN N.V. (65 percent) and Telstra Corporation Ltd. (35 percent), for a purchase price of approximately $191 million. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon audited EBITDA (defined as operating income before interest expense…

Stratos Global Corporation announced that Sir Robert Walmsley and Mr. Michael Bayer were elected as new members of the Corporation's Board of Directors at its annual general meeting held May 11, 2006. Sir Robert Walmsley was Chief of Defence Procurement at the UK Ministry of Defense ("MoD") from 1996 until his retirement from public service in 2003. Prior to his MoD appointment, Sir Robert was a career officer in the Royal Navy, where he rose to the rank of Vice Admiral in 1994 and served for two years as Controller of the Navy. Sir Robert is also currently on the Board of Directors of British Energy Group plc., Cohort plc, EDO Corporation and General Dynamics Corporation.

Stratos Global Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Shell Offshore Inc.'s telecommunications subsidiary, Shell Offshore Services Company (SOSCo). The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. "The acquisition of SOSCo is consistent with Stratos' long-term strategy of providing communications solutions to high volume industrial customers operating in remote locations," explains Derek Woods, president and CEO of Stratos. Based in New Orleans, SOSCo uses a state-of-the-art digital microwave system to provide voice, data and video services, Internet access and network connectivity to more than 250 remote drilling rigs and production platforms located offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.