KVH Introduce 'Business Class' VSAT Service
KVH Industries launches new Unrestricted Rate Plans featuring Business Class Service for its mini-VSAT Broadband network. Designed to meet the booming demand for maritime connectivity, KVH’s new Business Class Service provides unrestricted, prioritized, multimegabit service with unfettered access to all Internet applications and protocols, including streaming media formats, popular Voice over IP (VoIP) services like Skype, and rich media websites. This service, traditionally only available with very expensive dedicated satellite capacity, and used exclusively by high-end cruise ship or megayacht customers, is competitively priced with other shared maritime VSAT services, but delivers significantly faster service and a superior user experience.
Marlink Enhances Efficiency with C-Band on iDirect
New technology platform options for Marlink C-band users. Marlink is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of new C-band services on the iDirect platform, which will enhance network efficiency and open up new options for customers using SealinkTM global C-band coverage for business critical applications. The services will be among the first in the industry to utilise DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) technology on regional, multi-regional and global maritime C-band. The implementation of a new state-of-the-art platform for Sealink global C-band coverage has been made possible following the recent upgrade of Marlink’s global VSAT network with the integration of iDirect’s Evolution® X5 Satellite Router and latest operating software release.
Freightgate Announces Opening in France
Freightgate Inc., a leading provider of Internet applications for the freight and logistics industry, announced that it has opened a new sales, service and support facility in Marseille, France in order to reinforce its commitment to the European market. "Our new office in France will not only facilitate the relationships with our current customers in Europe, but also to develop new business within this area. We believe the door is open for additional activity in Europe," said Martin Hubert, President and CEO of Freightgate Inc. ``With the opening of the French office, we are executing on our growth strategy. It is a natural extension of our 'global by design' suite of products and services.
Marlink Extends Crew Calling Programs
Marlink, a subsidiary of Telenor Satellite Services, announced that it is extending its "Super Quiet Time" and "Inmarsat A to Fleet" maritime communications programs offered via Telenor. Both programs, first offered in early 2003, are designed to make "at sea" satellite communications more affordable and easier for mariners. Marlink is extending its Super Quiet Time program through March 2005, offering customers substantially reduced prices for prepaid voice calls over Inmarsat-B, -M, Mini-M, GAN, Fleet and Swift services. Marlink has significantly increased the SQT calling hours in all ocean regions, including 24-hours-a-day SQT calling on Saturdays and Sundays.
Q&A with Bo Norton, Telenor Satellite Services
MR: What are the top three or four factors driving your offerings to the marine business today? Norton: Maritime customers across the board want increased bandwidth that will enable IP applications — from e-mailing to Web surfing and data downloads. Commercial maritime companies are also focusing on ways to make their satellite communications at sea a "business enhancer" in order to make their ships "floating extensions" of the company's LAN or WAN. At the same time, we are also seeing a decisive move by ship management companies to cut operating costs and selecting communications solutions that they can both use as a business tool on board the vessel and a way to improve crew morale and welfare…
Freightgate Adds FMC-Trek! To PLTX Suite
Freightgate Inc., a provider of Internet applications for the freight and logistics industry, has added FMC-Trek!, an FMC publishing system, to its PLTX Suite of Solutions for the NVO community. Featuring optional integration with the customer's booking system, FMC-Trek! is The logical extension for the PLTX Suite, which also includes Tariff-Trek!, The industry's leading rating, routing, quoting and booking solution. Within FMC-Trek!, booked rates, as fed to the system using XML, get posted to a queue where potential conflicts are automatically detected. If an automatic resolution is not possible, an alert is dispatched for human intervention. Rates without conflict are automatically published after a pre-determined period.
