Blue Star Chooses Stratos Solution for Private Crew Communications |
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Stratos Global Corp.
6901 Rockledge Dr.
Bethesda, MD, 20817
USA
Press release date: September 5, 2007
o AmosConnect Crew service enables effective management of onboard crew communications -
BETHESDA, MD, Sept. 5 -- Stratos Global Corp. (TSX: SGB), the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced it has begun deployment of its AmosConnect Crew service on 34 vessels managed by Reederei Blue Star GmbH (Blue Star). Blue Star is a subsidiary of Maersk, the world's largest shipping company.
Previously, Stratos outfitted each of Blue Star's 34 vessels with one AmosConnect license, installed on an Inmarsat Fleet F77 satellite terminal. To ensure the most effective management of their onboard crew communications, Blue Star vessels will now also utilize AmosConnect Crew. The service enables crewmembers at sea to stay in contact with home at low-cost rates via phone, SMS, and email. AmosConnect Crew also enables Blue Star to separate crew communications from the vessel's business communications.
The new AmosConnect Crew deployment includes the roll out of pre-paid Stratos ChatCards and ChatCard Online over the entire fleet of 34 ships.
One of the most effective ways to improve shipboard life for seafarers is to provide advanced voice, email and SMS communications systems that are powerful, economical, easy to use, and available away from the bridge. By using AmosConnect Crew, Blue Star crewmembers only need one prepaid ChatCard to access all three modes of communication. Along with the prepaid aspect of the service, AmosConnect Crew enables users to easily manage their own communications budget. This service provides each crewmember with a fixed, private email address that follows the crewmember when moving from one vessel to another.
"AmosConnect Crew enables us to separate crew communications from the business traffic completely. It also lets us offer a full range of communications services as a crew benefit," said Peter Chifflard, Blue Star's fleet personnel manager. "Emails are free of charge and the ChatCards enable crewmembers to make private calls at very competitive rates. Stratos worked closely with our crewing agents to show them how easy it is to use ChatCard Online to manage the entire process," Chifflard added.
Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said, "This expansion of our successful relationship with Blue Star demonstrates our ability to understand and support their changing business requirements. We expect this new AmosConnect Crew deployment will meet those needs by providing a comprehensive crew-communications solution that is entirely separate from business communications and offers a truly valuable crew benefit."
Stratos' ChatCard service offers one prepaid web-enabled calling card for all Inmarsat voice and Iridium services. Stratos enables crewmembers to reload their ChatCard using their credit card. Only Stratos offers one crew communication service in which the costs for voice, SMS and email are charged via a single prepaid card. Stratos is also the only company offering this service via ChatCard Online, a tool that enables ship managers to order new cards and reload existing cards online.
About Reederei Blue Star GmbH
Reederei Blue Star GmbH was founded in 2002 by P & O Nedlloyd to serve the German KG market. The Company has experienced consistent growth during the past five years and now operates 34 container vessels of various sizes (2500 TEU to 8400 TEU).
About Stratos
Stratos (TSX: SGB), with over a century of service, is the world's trusted leader for vital communications, offering the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications products, including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. Stratos' more than 20,000 customers use our services on seven continents and across the world's oceans. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users. For more information visit www.stratosglobal.com.
Source: Stratos Global Corporation
CONTACT: Media Contact: Sue Keith, Ph. (703) 980-9802, Sue.Keith@stratosglobal.com
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