Telenor Signs with AUR

Telenor Satellite Services today announced the signing of a business agreement with Anders Utkilens Rederi (AUR) of Norway, one of northern Europe's largest maritime chemical transportation companies. The contract calls for Telenor to provide its Sealink maritime high-speed data communications solution aboard AUR's fleet of 16 chemical tanker vessels. Under the terms of this multi-year agreement, Telenor will provide Ku-Band service for AUR's entire fleet that operates primarily throughout European waters. Sealink's Ku- Band service provides AUR the capability to use high-speed communications applications at sea including LAN and WAN connectivity, video conferencing, and Internet access, while using smaller, less expensive shipboard equipment. "Demands from our crews and requirements from our technical department made us look around for new maritime communications solutions," said Arne Bergsvik, general manager of Anders Utkilens Rederi. "With communications costs becoming increasingly expensive, we decided to integrate the advanced Sealink maritime VSAT system, where we have service always available 24-hours a day, and at a fixed price. Using the Sealink solution, we are able to efficiently incorporate our vessels at sea into our corporate network." "Anders Utkilens Rederi operates one of industry's most modern and well maintained fleet of ships," said Pål Jensen, vice president of Telenor Satellite Services. "Our Sealink maritime VSAT solution has not only extended Anders Utkilens Rederi's corporate network to its ships, but has also stabilized the company's communications costs while providing real-time and reliable service that is fully managed for them by Telenor." Equipment and antenna installations began in June. Sealink is supporting AUR's communications through its Network Operations Center located at Telenor's Eik land earth station in Norway.