Harris Caprock News

On rigs and offshore vessels, the safety of crew and passengers is a top priority in the energy industry. However, with the particularly hazardous environments of remote offshore worksites, accidents can happen, and it’s up to the operators to ensure their crew members are well-equipped to handle an emergency situation. One of the ways they can provide safe conditions on their assets is to invest in the newest, most advanced technologies with enhanced safety features and better automation, keeping more of their crew out of harm’s way.

Speedcast International Limited has announced two changes to its executive management team: Keith Johnson will become chief operating officer, and Erwan Emilian will lead the Enterprise & Emerging Markets division. Johnson, currently EVP of Speedcast’s Energy Division, will take over for David Kagan as chief operating officer, while also keeping his existing Energy Division responsibilities. Kagan leave Speedcast in early December for personal reasons, but will remain as an advisor to the CEO on a limited-time basis. Johnson joined Speedcast in 2014 after spending over 20 years at Harris CapRock Communications, where he held numerous senior operational roles, including heading global operations and business unit leadership roles.

Satellite communications and network service provider SpeedCast International Limited has announced the appointment of David Kagan to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) reporting to Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Jean Beylier. Kagan comes to SpeedCast from Globalstar, where he served as President and COO. Uniquely qualified as a result of his extensive industry experience, Kagan previously held C-level executive positions at ITC Global, Globe Wireless, Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), ICG Satellite Services and Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. Kagan is expected to start in March 2017, and joins during a key period as integration activities with Harris CapRock accelerate following the completion of the acquisition on January 1, 2017.

Cobham SATCOM and SpeedCast International Limited have concluded a global framework agreement covering the provision of maritime stabilized antennas, which offers high speed connectivity at sea. The commercial framework was awarded following a multi-vendor selection process by SpeedCast, based on a technical, commercial and supply chain evaluation criteria and will run three years. It is expected to generate a double-digit million-dollar figure in revenue for Cobham. SpeedCast…

SpeedCast acquisition of Harris CapRock creates a global and diversified leader in remote communications and network services. SpeedCast International Limited, a global satellite communications and network service provider, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Harris CapRock in a cash transaction valued at $425 million. Harris CapRock is a global stakeholder in the energy and maritime segments. The acquisition strengthens SpeedCast’s position in the maritime industry, in which Harris CapRock has a position in the fast-growing and bandwidth-hungry cruise sector, and creates a global leader in energy, positioning the company for future growth.

Harris CapRock Communications, a provider of managed communications services for remote and harsh environments, has launched SafePass Pro, an advanced cyber security solution for proactive defense against cyberattacks targeting oil and gas IT infrastructures. The solution is also available for cruise, maritime and other commercial customers. Industry experts estimate cyber attacks against the global energy industry will cost businesses up to $1.9 billion by 2018. SafePass Pro improves network resources, minimizes malware and spyware, enables centralized control across all sites, enforces acceptable use and security policies (AUP), and provides an opportunity to assess and eliminate network vulnerabilities.

The launch yesterday of  the Intelsat 29e, the first of the Intelsat EpicNG high throughput satellites, promises to usher in a new era of "Big Data" in the maritime sector, among others. The satellite was launched from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 vehicle. Manufactured by Boeing and equipped with advanced digital payload, Intelsat 29e will bring high throughput capacity in both C- and Ku-band to North and Latin America and the North Atlantic region. Intelsat 29e will be placed into service at 310° East, where it replaces Intelsat 1R.

Harris CapRock Communications launched the industry’s first unified, fully managed satellite, wireless and terrestrial connectivity service designed to reduce customers’ voice, data and equipment management costs. Customers in the energy and cruise industry need to obtain reliable, always-on communications when their vessels, drilling sites and ships change their global positions and communications needs. With Harris CapRock One, they can replace current single or dual-band communications…

While the true uptake of broadband across the maritime sector has been slow to develop, a number of market conditions are conspiring to drive the service mainstream. Intelsat’s Kurt Riegelman discusses the matter with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. While the advent of full broadband in the maritime sector is the exception rather than the norm, the tides are changing as companies increasingly deploy fast, modern ‘land-like’ comms in an effort to achieve everything from attracting and retaining crew, to streamlining business operations at sea and enhancing safety.

Harris CapRock Communications has launched Harris CapRock One, a unified, fully managed satellite, wireless and terrestrial connectivity service designed to reduce customers’ voice, data and equipment management costs. Harris CapRock One is an integrated end-to-end service that transparently switches between transport mediums to optimize communications for global customers. According to Harris CapRock, customers in the energy and cruise industry, for example, often struggle to obtain reliable, always-on communications when their vessels, drilling sites and ships change their global positions and communications needs. With Harris CapRock One, they can replace current single or dual-band communications support options with a multiple-medium solution.

For the fourth consecutive year, Harris CapRock Communications has been ranked number one on The Independent Top Twenty listing by the World Teleport Association (WTA). The company also ranked fifth on The Global Top Twenty in 2014 based on total revenue and year-over-year growth. “The WTA’s annual December announcement serves as a definitive marker of the state of the industry and the direction of its leading service providers in the year to come,” said Tracey Haslam, president, Harris CapRock Communications. “With teleports on six continents, we provide service coverage to nearly any point on the globe. Harris CapRock’s teleports consistently meet the highest requirements for Department of Defense and National Institute of Standards and Technology compliance for confidentiality…

Richard Simonian is the President of Maritime Solutions, a business unit within Harris CapRock Communications. MR picked his brain for insights on the shape and direction of maritime comms. We understand that you recently unveiled your Advanced VSAT solutions at Satellite 2014. Can you give us a brief on exactly what this is? The problem increasingly being faced by ship and rig operators is that their communication needs are dynamic, yet the traditional buying approach is static. They have had two choices.

MTN Communications (MTN) announces Santos Venegas has joined the company as general manager for its Oil and Gas Division. This appointment further solidifies MTN’s position in the market as a pioneer in communications technology spanning across various market segments. A 35-year industry veteran and respected consultant, Santos most recently served as managing director for Latin America at Harris CapRock. Prior to that role, he was director of Corporate Development. Serving the company for 28 years…

Harris CapRock Communications signed a five-year contract with Carnival Corp. to provide communications services onboard more than 100 cruise ships in its 10 cruise line brands. Harris will deploy a fully managed, end-to-end Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) solution utilizing the latest generation of iDirect technology, via a hybrid C- and Ku-band solution. Each ship will be equipped with stabilized antenna systems to provide the optimal level of flexibility and availability.

Provider of managed communication solutions for remote and harsh environments, Harris CapRock Communications has signed a multi-year contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (DSME) to provide an integrated telecommunications solution supporting the Mafumeira Sul project off the coast of  Angola. Harris CapRock says it will provide equipment and design, integrate and test all telecommunication systems before deployment; install cable at multiple construction sites around the globe; and provide commissioning support off the coast of Angola.

Harris CapRock Communications, a premier global provider of managed communication solutions for remote and harsh environments, has signed a five-year contract with Carnival Corporation to provide communications services onboard more than 100 cruise ships in its 10 cruise line brands. The dual-band satellite communications solution will enable the Carnival brands to reach dramatically improved bandwidth levels to meet the performance expectations of guests and crew onboard. “At Carnival, our most important goal is to give our guests a great experience.

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) has  announced  the signing and renewal of multiple agreements with Harris CapRock, a provider of communications to remote and harsh environments, for the provision of satellite capacity services from its 1°West orbital location. Utlizing TSBc’s THOR 10-02 satellite, Harris CapRock provides capacity to serve a number of its strategic energy and maritime clients, offering high-powered coverage throughout Europe. “Over the past two years, TSBc has been working closely with Harris CapRock to deliver satellite capacity, for services to some of its most important customers,” said Morten Tengs, Vice President and CEO of TSBc.

Harris CapRock has completed fleet installation of its managed communications solutions onboard 33 Royal Caribbean Cruise vessels. Since the start of the project, the company has removed 48 legacy antennas, installed 86 new ones in ports all around the world and procured more than 59,000 individual components for the project. Harris CapRock has developed a new “card-less” crew-calling kiosk and voice platform which the Royal Caribbean crew has used to make more than three million calls totalling more than 24 million minutes to date. •    New systems significantly improve voice, video and data services. •    Solution includes 24/7 proactive monitoring and support from Harris CapRock’s global Customer Support Centers.

RigNet, Inc., provider of managed remote communications to the oil and gas industry, makes management appointments. The company appoint Molly McGuirk as Region Manager, United States,  & Mike Neugebauer as Director, Global Operations & QHSE. McGuirk, who has been serving as director – global operations & QHSE, will have profit-and-loss responsibility for RigNet's operations in the United States, both offshore and onshore, as well as for international operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

OceanWorks International contracted to deliver additional seafloor nodes for CSnet International’s Offshore Communications Backbone (OCB). The OCB (Offshore Communications Backbone) subsea infrastructure, including five seafloor nodes which form the existing seafloor observatory portion of the system, was originally designed by OceanWorks International and delivered to Harris Caprock Communications (HCC) . The system was deployed in 3000m of water in the Mediterranean Sea during…

Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of satellite services, today announced that Harris CapRock Communications, a global provider of fully managed communications for remote and harsh environments, will utilize the Intelsat EpicNG platform on Intelsat 29e for advanced fixed and mobile services. Under a multi-year agreement, Harris CapRock will utilize the next- generation Intelsat EpicNG platform to expand its service offerings and offer new applications to its global customers across the energy, maritime and government markets. Harris CapRock currently has Ku-band capacity on multiple satellites on the Intelsat fleet, which will expand to Intelsat 29e when it is launched.

OceanWorks Contracted by Harris CapRock Communications for the Delivery of Two High Power Nodes as an Expansion to the Successful OCB Project. OceanWorks International is pleased to announce the delivery of two (2) high power nodes to Harris CapRock Communications (HCC) as part of the Offshore Communications Backbone (OCB) system. The high power nodes represent an expansion of the successful OCB system which also includes the CSnet Tsunami Warning and Early Response Cyprus (TWERC) system off the southern coast of Cyprus.

The Marine Technology Society (MTS) announced the results of its recent elections for positions on its Board of Directors. The following Vice Presidents were elected: Jill Zande, Education and Research; Ray Toll, Industry and Technology; Donna Kocak, Publications; and Justin Manley, Government and Public Affairs. Election results were announced at the Society’s Annual Meeting during OCEANS’11 MTS/IEEE Kona in Hawaii. Jill Zande is the Associate Director and ROV Competition Coordinator for the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center. “Each year over 400 schools, middle through university, participate in MATE ROV competitions.