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France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications News

10 Nov 2014

MR Interview: Erik Ceuppens, SVP, Satellite Communications, Airbus Defense & Space CIS

“We will not slow down.”  Erik Ceuppens

Transformation in the maritime communication sector continues, as Airbus Defense and Space announces plans to sell its commercial satellite communications business. MR spoke with Erik Ceuppens, SVP, Satellite Communications, Airbus Defense & Space Communications, Intelligence & Security (CIS), to help put the development in perspective. The maritime communications sector has been in near continual flux for nearly two decades, with merger and acquisition activity a constant. In tandem with development of innovative software solutions…

01 Jun 2004

France Telecom Launches New Service

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications is enhancing its range of value-added services with a satellite-based VPN (virtual private network). The VPN solution for the Fleet family (Fleet-33, 55 & 77) enables maritime users to connect securely to their corporate business network on land, via either ISDN or MPDS transmission mode. It is based on a fixed public IP address that the user can request in order to simplify connections with its business network. The VPN connection via Fleet terminals enables the user to transmit data securely at high speeds (up to 64 Kbit/s), as well as access their everyday work applications securely.

06 Jul 2004

France Telecom SSAS Available on Inmarsat-C, Mini-C

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications upgraded its land earth station in Aussaguel, France to ensure that its Inmarsat-C and Mini-C services are SSAS-compatible. The SSAS heightens security on board ship in the event of attack enabling captain or crew to send out a ‘covert’ alert and rapidly obtain assistance. With piracy and attacks at sea becoming increasingly widespread, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has designated that all ships exceeding 500 tonnes must equip the SSAS by July 1, 2004. The SSAS is a one-way, ship-to-shore security system available with compatible Inmarsat-C and Mini-C terminals. It enables crew on board to trigger an alert without the attackers’ knowledge thanks to a minimum of two activation points placed in strategic positions on the ship.

05 Aug 2004

SatCom Feature: Flying High Again

France Telecom is pushing hard to advance its position as a single source communications and IT services provider. Corporate consolidation and technological evolution in the maritime satcom domain continue to subdue pricing, helping to level the playing field among service providers. France Telecom, in an effort to tilt the competitive balance in its favor, is embarked on an aggressive campaign to differentiate itself from the competition by positioning itself as a one-stop communication and an IT solution provider, an effort backed by an impressive R&D effort geared to delivering simple-to-use, customer driven solutions. "The challenge is to have our range of value added services, to have them known, understood and used," said Ghani Gehloul, Marketing Director, Maritime.

05 Aug 2004

SatCom

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.

09 Jul 2002

Iridium Aggressively Pursues New Outlets

Iridium Satellite LLC, the company born from the ashes of what was one of the most spectacular and initial telecom failures, has fortified its market position in the past year, aggressively pursuing relationships with companies that will help expand use of its satellite network across all industires. The Alexandria, Va.-based Iridium — which bought the assets of Iridium LLC out of bankruptcy in December 2000, launched global voice services in March 2001 and added ubiquitous Internet connectivity in June — has announced a number of deals with leading satellite communication companies — Xantic, Telenor and France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications — and has launched a new crew calling service for the marine business.

30 Aug 2004

France Telecom Signs BGAN Agreement with Inmarsat

On August 18, France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications and Inmarsat signed the first distribution agreement for the new BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) service. On its launch in H2 2005, BGAN will be the first mobile satellite communications solution to offer global coverage with data rates of up to 432 Kbps. Initially developed for land-based markets, maritime and aero versions of BGAN are currently planned for commercial launch in 2007. The service will be available via a portfolio of small, portable terminals, offering guaranteed throughputs at various speeds. Voice communications and data transfer via a 64 Kbps ISDN channel will also be possible.

21 Apr 2005

France Telecom Offers Improved SkyFile

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications designed new features for its free SkyFile software package, making e-mailing at sea even easier and more practical and providing seafarers with communications solutions as efficient and rapid as those used on land. SkyFile is France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications’ proprietary software solution enabling the transfer of e-mails, faxes and SMS via Inmarsat and Iridium mobile satellite terminals. The new version compresses data sent by up to 90%, speeding up transfer times and reducing communications costs. The software also includes a SPAM filter and a black & white list option for better management of incoming e-mails.

25 Jul 2006

Apax Partners to Acquire FTMSC

France Telecom has signed an agreement with Apax Partners to sell 100 percent of the shares of France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications SA (FTMSC). The completion of the transaction is expected in the near future. FTMSC is one of the world’s largest mobile satellite communications providers, marketing and distributing communications solutions for customers based in areas with limited access to terrestrial telecoms infrastructure. Apax Partners is one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups. Its funds invest in specific industries including telecoms, and provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. This deal will enable FTMSC to consolidate its position on the international mobile satellite communications market.

06 Jun 2006

FTMSC Offers New Pricing Programs

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