Content Services News

MTN Communications (MTN) says that three cruise operators around the world have selected the company for its passenger, crew, corporate communications and content services. Lindblad Expeditions – a pioneering travel company that works in partnership with National Geographic to provide expdeditions promoting conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. Pearl Seas Cruises has selected MTN as service provider for its inaugural ship, the 210 passenger Pearl Mist, which was recently launched in Baltimore. Windstar – a sailing luxury small ship cruise line offering the feel of a private yacht. The operator is renewing its ten-year relationship with MTN, including plans to leverage service on its two newest ships, the Star Breeze and Star Legend, bringing the total fleet to six.

MTN Communications (MTN) announced Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines has extended its four-year relationship with the company. Fred.Olsen chose to increase the breadth of communications, content services and support MTN provides. The MTN partnership includes an enhanced onboard suite of connectivity options for passengers and crew. MTN will continue to provide crew calling and its Worldwide TV service (MTN TV). Known for exclusive service catering to European travelers, Fred.Olsen itineraries include the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic regions; Norway; the British Isles and Africa.

MTN Communications (MTN) say they have signed a new agreement with Carnival Corporation & plc for the provision of Internet services to its passengers and crew. The agreement covers several Carnival Corporation brands, including Princess Cruises, Cunard and P&O Cruises (UK). Carnival has also extended its existing agreement for MTN broadcast television services, MTN Worldwide TV, which provides a wide range of television content including news and entertainment to 50 of its ships across the globe.

The private ISWAN event on 21 November will take place in an appropriately maritime venue: The Ward Room of the HMS "President", a former Royal Navy warship docked in London and converted to a club and event space. George, the author of the acclaimed book, "Deep Sea and Foreign Going: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry that Brings You 90% of Everything," published in September 2013, is a lecturer and former ship master who received the MBE in 2000 for services to maritime safety. George spent five weeks on a containership while researching "Deep Sea and Foreign Going," which describes the challenging working conditions onboard commercial ships. Her book has received attention both inside and outside the shipping industry for raising awareness of seafarers' welfare.

Communications service provider MTN and global satellite operator SES have renewed a critical capacity agreement to deliver high-speed broadband to vital shipping routes throughout the Indian Ocean Region. In the interests of global demand for reliable communications and content services in the Indian Ocean, MTN has secured capacity on several transponders aboard SES’ NSS-12 satellite to offer reliable connectivity for applications as varied as the connectivity needs at sea. Corporate network services, passenger and crew communications and lifestyle entertainment offerings are being delivered to vessels travelling one of the world’s largest oceans and busiest shipping routes serving the African and Asian coasts and port cities in Australia and Antarctica.

KVH Industries, Inc., is implementing a detailed four-part strategy aimed to bring a variety of economical & convenient content services to mariners for the first time. Martin Kits van Heyningen, President and CEO of KVH Industries, gave details of his plans at the Digital Ship Maritime CIO Forum at the current Nor-Shipping expo in Oslo. The Four-Part Strategy Includes enhancing mini-VSAT Broadband Network Capacity, introducing new TracPhone V-IP Terminals with integrated CommBox Modem (ICM), launching new IP-MobileCast content delivery service, and acquiring leading content provider Headland Media. "Our goal is to offer our customers economical access to all the data they want and need onboard their vessels," concluded Mr. Kits van Heyningen.

MTN Government Services CTO Richard Hadsall appointed to World Teleport Association (WTA) Board. Hadsall founded MTN more than 30 years ago and today serves as the chief technology officer for MTN Government Services (MTNGS). Richard Hadsall’s teams drove the first full-motion satellite video broadcasts at sea for a military vessel, for a research vessel and for a cruise ship. Hadsall led key engineering advancements to help main networks such as ABC, NBC and CNN report on major live events around the world. He has driven delivery of critical content for the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. embassies, and major heads of government, including U.S. presidents.

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) wins VSAT service contracts from four specialised luxury cruise ship operators. •    Windstar Cruises , a sailing luxury small ship cruise line based in Seattle, Wash. “Our team at MTN recognizes that no two customers are alike and it is our job to develop communication solutions that not only meet, but exceed their unique communications requirements,” said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president and general manager for MTN cruise and ferry services.

MTN Satellite Communications Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary of Delivering Internet Service to the Cruise Industry, Exceeding 150 Million Logins; Company Continues to Raise the Bar, Delivering Communications Solutions for Cruise Ship Passengers and Crew While at Sea. MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), a provider of maritime communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world, is celebrating the 15-year anniversary of its Internet solution aboard cruise ships. Since 1999, more than 150 million passengers and crew members have logged in to the Internet to stay connected in some of the most remote locations around the world.

MIRAMAR, Fla. – April 26, 2011 – MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), the global provider of communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world, and ERZIA, the leading provider of VSAT maritime communications in Spain, today announced that their joint venture to develop a teleport in Santander Spain has been completed and is officially open. It now serves as a centralized gateway for MTN’s VSAT communications with coverage over the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The facility is located in Santander, North Spain at 43°27’46’’N, 3°48’18’’W.

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), global service provider of communications, connectivity, and content services to remote locations around the world, announced that it has been awarded a five-year contract extension with Crystal Cruises to provide its VSAT satellite communication services. According to Brent Horwitz, senior vice president, MTN cruise and ferry services, MTN will continue providing a full range of satellite communication services for guests and crew, including onboard cellular phone service, OceanPhone crew calling, inbound dialing, and MTN Worldwide TV. The agreement calls for each ship to have a guaranteed committed information rate (CIR) of 1 MB with the ability to burst to significantly higher bandwidth levels. www.mtnsat.com

SeaMobile, Inc., a provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Geolink, a pioneer and leading provider of satellite-based broadband communications and networking services with extensive experience serving the European market. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. During the past year, SeaMobile has quickly become the dominant player in at-sea communications services. In May 2006, SeaMobile also acquired satellite industry leader Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). With the acquisition of Geolink, SeaMobile now provides broadband satellite, wireless voice and data, internet connectivity, television and other services for more than 300 maritime vessels throughout the world.

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.