Mobile Communications Services News

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) has signed an extended contract to deliver wireless communication services to Stena Line’s European ferry operations. MCP, a  onboard communications provider, has announced  the extension of its partnership with Stena Line. The new contract is an extension of the existing contract, and expands MCP’s wireless communication services on to an additional two Stena Line vessels. These vessels include the former Scandlines vessels Sassnitz and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The new contract will ensure the most reliable end-to-end wireless services available. Passengers will have access to state of the art mobile communication services, with MCP enhancing today’s GSM service with higher bandwidth systems like 3G and LTE in the coming years.

Xantic and Iridium Satellite LLC have announced the signing of a major agreement by which Xantic will offer Iridium's voice and data services through its worldwide network. The move complements Xantic's mobile satellite offering for customers requiring remote communications solutions. It will also strengthen Iridium's global distribution capabilities. "Iridium's mobile communications services and world-wide coverage complements our fixed satellite offerings," commented Xantic CEO Knut Reed. Xantic serves customers worldwide in multiple markets, including maritime, peacekeeping and aid organisations, oil & gas, government and transportation.

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.

COMSAT Mobile Communications' (CMC) Santa Paula, California, earth station is celebrating 25 years of continuous, around-the-clock operations, providing the critical communications link for customers on land, at sea, and in the air. CMC's west coast facility provides Inmarsat satellite communications coverage from western North America, across the Pacific Ocean and into Asia, the Pacific Rim nations, New Zealand, Australia, and the eastern Indian Ocean. The Santa Paula station has served as a principal communications lifeline providing instant communications to ships at sea, aircraft, and to people located in parts of the world where there is no communications infrastructure. For a quarter century, Santa Paula has often provided their sole means of contact with the rest of the world.

Currently, only 40 percent of the 60,000-80,000 large ships worldwide enjoy satellite communications. Just one percent of yachts and fishing boats have such capabilities. Five million small boats in coastal and inland waters mostly rely on fragmented terrestrial cellular coverage. ICO Global Communications is scheduled to begin launching its satellites later this year and will initiate affordable global mobile communications services (digital voice, data, and fax) in August 2000. The company will provide 100 percent global coverage and will offer a line of rugged, water-resistant, simple-to-install user terminals designed for all segments of the marine industry by such manufacturers as Nera, JRC and Furuno.

A joint venture will provide bundled broadband and mobile communications services for cruise-ship passengers. CapRock Communications and SeaMobile announced the service that will allow passengers plying the seas to stay in touch with those on land using their personal cell phones and other mobile devices. The satellite-based service also delivers encrypted business applications that can be used in concert with the vessels' wired communications systems. SeaMobile CEO William Marks said in a news release that the service would be available to other commercial ships as well.