Thrane & Thrane Receives Inmarsat Type Approval for Fleet 55

As the first equipment manufacturer Thrane & Thrane has received Inmarsat Type Approval for its new maritime high-speed terminal for Inmarsat’s Fleet F55 service, the TT-3086A Capsat® Fleet55. The Inmarsat Type Approval is the direct result of intensive beta testing carried out onboard three different vessel types sailing in different ocean regions. The three beta test systems have all been operating successfully during the test period. Ulrik Bjørn, Capsat® Fleet55 R&D Project Manager in Thrane & Thrane explains: “Our Capsat® Fleet55 system has been tested onboard three different vessels sailing in different ocean regions. These ships range from a container carrier to a lightweight high-speed military vessel. The vessel operating in the North Atlantic sea has provided Thrane & Thrane with the opportunity to test the equipment in extreme weather conditions whereas the system on the military vessel has been tested in an environment of high speeds, heavy vibrations and high temperatures”. The newest member of the Capsat® Fleet family will strengthen Thrane & Thrane’s leading position in the market for maritime high-speed terminals. Building on the proven technology from the Capsat® Fleet77 terminal, introduced in the spring of 2002, the Capsat® Fleet55 terminal will provide true 64 kbps connectivity in a small and lightweight package. With a significantly smaller antenna than the Capsat® Fleet77, the Capsat® Fleet55 will be a perfect and attractive choice for private yachts, coast guard vessels and fishing vessels. Comprising a terminal, an antenna and a handset, the Capsat® Fleet55 unit is an integrated communication center enabling voice and data to be transferred via 64 kbps ISDN or MPDS (Mobile Packet Data Service) protocol. MPDS offers vessels constant online access while being charged only for the volume of data sent or received. This feature makes MPDS the most cost-effective and best solution for e-mail, transfer of small and medium-sized data volumes and constant online access to corporate intranets and the Internet.