Telecommunications Service News

SpeedCast International Limited, a global satellite communications and network service provider, and KTsat, the satellite service provider in Korea, have announced the two companies have been awarded a new contract to provide global Ku-band maritime communications services to up to 150 vessels. The service will be installed over the next 18 months. “It has been a phenomenal experience to work with SpeedCast for our maritime customers. We saw a great momentum from our partnership that our KOREASAT satellite fleets in Korea and in the Asia-Pacific region have been growing over the past few years. SpeedCast has been providing an extensive infrastructure for providing this seamless connectivity for maritime data…

C&W Networks, part of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), the largest telecommunications service provider across the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and United States with more than 48,000 miles of subsea fiber-optic network has selected Xtera Communications, Inc., a leading provider of high-capacity, cost-effective optical transport solutions, for upgrading its submarine cable systems in the western Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean Sea to 100G. By introducing Xtera’s 100G coherent solution, C&W Networks continues to offer robust services across 42 countries with superior reliability and scalability of international wholesale capacity.

SpeedCast International Limited (SpeedCast), a global satellite telecommunications service provider, announced that it has been awarded a multi-year communications contract from Gulf Marine Services (GMS). The new dual-beam Ku-band satellite service will provide high-performance broadband connectivity for client office applications and voice services across nine GMS barges. GMS is one of the largest providers of self-propelled, self-elevating accommodation jack-up barges in the world. The vessels work in offshore oilfields, often in harsh weather conditions, and therefore require a reliable and high-quality connection between the vessels and the land-based operations.

SpeedCast International Limited (SpeedCast), a global satellite telecommunications service provider, announced that it has been awarded a multi-year communications contract by international shipping company, Vroon. The new Ku-band satellite service will facilitate high-performance broadband connectivity with multi-megabit speeds, providing “hotel experience” Internet facilities for Vroon clients aboard specific categories of vessels. These include subsea-support vessels (10-25 passengers)…

Satellite telecommunications service provider SpeedCast International Limited has been awarded a satellite service contract by Allseas Group S.A., an offshore pipeline installation and subsea construction company. The contract covers Allseas’ flagship vessel, the Pieter Schelte, one the world’s largest ships, which took to the seas for the first time for sea trials in September. The satellite service provides broadband connectivity for mission-critical communications between the vessel and the land-based operations.

Intellian Technologies strengthened its partnership with SpeedCast Limited, a leading satellite telecommunications service provider, for the Commercial Shipping and Offshore Oil and Gas markets. SpeedCast has expanded the reach and capabilities of its global maritime broadband service to address a broader base of end customers. The service now extends across more than 20 Ku-band beams covering nearly all major shipping lanes and offshore regions. The global maritime broadband service is one of the most widely deployed VSAT offerings in the world, and is ideally suited to the advanced Intellian antenna technology. With Intellian recently selected as one of SpeedCast’s preferred suppliers…

Thrane & Thrane, a manufacturer of equipment and systems for global mobile radio and satellite communications, and SpeedCast Ltd., a satellite telecommunications service provider, announced the upcoming launch of the SAILOR 900 VSAT antenna system on SpeedCast’s Global Maritime Broadband Network. The partnership allows Thrane & Thrane and SpeedCast to respond to the increasing demand for satellite communications in the maritime community. Thrane & Thrane and SpeedCast have agreed to enter into the partnership to provide comprehensive broadband packages comprised of the SAILOR 900 VSAT…

Broadpoint has increased its number of cellular sites in the Gulf of Mexico by more than 30 percent, and said it will continue an aggressive schedule to add additional sites through the end of this year. In addition to expanding its core network, Broadpoint has made technology upgrades to its remote customer premise equipment and product offerings. The upgrades and additions to Broadpoint’s cellular network were made to improve service in highly trafficked areas and to add coverage in several new locations. As part of the expansion, the company now provides telecommunications service and network coverage in the Gulf’s deepwater areas for the first time. Broadpoint’s coverage area exceeds 100,000 square miles in the Gulf, and the company provides 24/7 customer service support.

Globalstar announced that the U.S. Globalstar to continue normal course operations and, with the support of the Company's service providers, further assuring uninterrupted telecommunications service for its customers. The Court approval, which was granted on February 21, follows Globalstar's filing on February 15 of a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the same court. Globalstar will conduct business as usual with respect to customers, employees and most suppliers. This includes payment of employee salaries and benefits and payment for goods and services provided after February 15, 2002. As a result…

Three Vericor Power Systems' TF50 marine aeroderivative gas turbines have been selected to power the 118 Wallypower high-speed yacht being built by Intermarine Shipyard, Sarzana, Italy for Wally Yacht. This is Wally Yacht's first foray into high-speed power yachts, and the company's initial application of gas turbines. Wally Yacht, based in Monte Carlo, Monaco, is a world-renowned designer of high-speed sailing and power yachts. The 118-ft. yacht will feature three TF50 gas turbines in a Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) turbine configuration. Two TF50s will be used as side or "wing" engines, with one small auxiliary diesel engine connected to each wing engine. The diesels will provide for very slow maneuvering only.

Mobex Communications has entered into an agreement with American Commercial Lines (ACL) for its subsidiary Waterway Communications System LLC (Watercom), which is a provider of automated ship-to-shore voice, data and telecommunication services. Headquartered in Jeffersonville, Ind., Watercom provides communications for towboats, yachts, dredges, survey vessels, cruise/dinner boats and gaming vessels in more than 20 states on the Gulf of Mexico, as well as those situated along the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio Rivers. The agreement calls for Watercom to continue its services for ACL, and gives Mobex control of Watercom's customer base, which encompasses 80 channels in each of 33 markets, broadcasting at 217 MHz under the Automated Marine Telecommunications Service (AMTS).

Broadband Maritime Corporation -- a telecommunications service provider offering a turnkey VSAT communications solution for real time ship management – announced that Virtek Communication was appointed as its exclusive representative in the Scandinavian market for its new generation shipboard communications solution.

SeaMobile Enterprises has beeen awarded two major contracts by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). SeaMobile has signed a three-year contract to provide global VSAT satellite services to the entire fleet of ships operated by NOAA throughout the globe. SeaMobile has also been awarded the integration, installation, operations and maintenance of a 3.7m VSAT terminal system for the new NOAA ship, Okeanos Explorer. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and conducts environmental research and serves as the primary source of expert information on weather data, forecasts, warnings and climate change. SeaMobile will provide up to 21 ships in the NOAA fleet with voice and data access as a critical link while the ships are on research missions at sea.

SeaMobile Enterprises connectivity been awarded two major contracts by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). SeaMobile has signed a three-year contract to provide global VSAT satellite services to the entire fleet of ships operated by NOAA throughout the globe. SeaMobile has also been awarded the integration, installation, operations and maintenance of a 3.7m VSAT terminal system for the new NOAA ship, Okeanos Explorer. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and conducts environmental research and serves as the primary source of expert information on weather data, forecasts, warnings and climate change.

When Iridium, the $5 billion satellite company, fell into bankruptcy on March 18, 2000, it went down as one of the costliest corporate fiascoes of all time. More than one year later, Iridium is back in business, though under completely new ownership. Iridium raised a few eyebrows and a fair share of skeptics with its decision to launch its global satellite communications services. How could the new company prosper when the previous one — using the same technology had failed? Enter Gino Picasso, the company's CEO. Up front and honest, Picasso says that the new Iridium is no pipe dream. Speaking via telephone from a restaurant near Iridium's Tempe, Ariz. offices, Picasso shared his visions and ideas with MR/EN regarding the future of the new company.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE: HOS) announced that it has experienced no damage to any of its vessels as a result of Hurricane Katrina, including those currently under construction or conversion in various Gulf of Mexico shipyards. In addition, the storm had no impact on the Company’s vessel charters. The Company’s new generation offshore supply vessel fleet continues to operate at pre-storm levels of 100% utilization. Preliminary assessments indicate that no physical damage has occurred to the Company’s corporate headquarters in Covington, LA; however, the surrounding area is currently without electrical power, Internet connectivity and telecommunications service. Pending reinstatement of operational utilities,