Broadband Service offers maritime communications solution.
Press Release Summary:
Based on Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service, FleetBroadband uses stabilized, compact directional antennas to simultaneously provide high-speed data and voice communications at speeds up to 432 kbps. It also provides on-demand guaranteed IP data rates regardless of vessel's location. Communication managers will find that FleetBroadband can be rapidly deployed across entire fleet, and as standard IP service, seamlessly integrated with head-office networks.
Original Press Release:
Stratos Announces Commercial Availability of Inmarsat's FleetBroadband Maritime Communications Solution
- Royal Netherlands Navy begins field trial of FleetBroadband from Stratos, making it the first organization to activate FleetBroadband -
BETHESDA, MD, Nov. 19 /- Stratos Global Corp. (TSX: SGB), the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced the commercial availability of its new maritime broadband satellite communications solution based on Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service. FleetBroadband from Stratos offers a wide range of value-added services to provide ship managers with optimal communications performance and cost efficiency.
Stratos also announced it has begun a FleetBroadband field trial with its long-standing customer, the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN). The field trial establishes the RNLN as the first organization to activate the FleetBroadband service. The three-month field trial is being conducted onboard the RNLN Van Kinsbergen in Western European waters, including the Western Baltic.
"We believe the field trial of FleetBroadband from Stratos will provide the RNLN with an excellent opportunity to evaluate the benefits of this new high-performance service in a wide variety of deep-water conditions," said Lieutenant (RNLN) S.H. Veenstra, commanding officer of the Van Kinsbergen. "High-speed connectivity has become vital in today's naval world. This enhanced communication will also help elevate the quality of education and training to new levels."
Stratos is the largest supplier of mobile satellite services to the maritime industry, with communications to more than 40,000 maritime terminals worldwide. FleetBroadband from Stratos represents an extension of Stratos' maritime communications portfolio, which includes a wide range of VSAT and GSM solutions.
Last week, Stratos expanded its maritime portfolio with the addition of GSM Oceanwide, a dedicated, global GSM service for crewmembers and officers of merchant ships. It is the first service - using Inmarsat satellites - enabling seafarers to utilize their existing mobile phones onboard merchant ships in deep ocean waters, exactly as they would in port or on land.
Last month, Stratos announced it had reached the milestone of 100 million messages sent via its AmosConnect maritime satellite communications services. AmosConnect from Stratos is an easy-to-use, yet highly sophisticated email service that seamlessly integrates email, fax, telex, GSM text, interoffice communication and access for mobile personnel into a single messaging system. AmosConnect Crew is an all-in-one communication solution for crewmembers. Combining AmosConnect and ChatCard, AmosConnect Crew enables personnel at sea to stay in contact with home via calling, email and SMS at low-cost rates.
FleetBroadband is the maritime version of Inmarsat's successful Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service. Since its introduction in 2005, BGAN has been widely adopted for land-mobile applications by military and NGO agencies, media organizations, first responders and professionals in many other industries worldwide.
FleetBroadband from Stratos provides cost-effective, high-speed data and voice communications - available simultaneously - at speeds up to 432kpbs. FleetBroadband from Stratos also provides on-demand guaranteed IP data rates, regardless of the vessel's location. FleetBroadband from Stratos uses stabilized, compact directional antennas, which vary in size and weight. The above-deck antennas are smaller than most existing Inmarsat Fleet products used today.
Communications managers will find that FleetBroadband from Stratos can be rapidly deployed across an entire fleet and, as a standard IP service, seamlessly integrated with head-office networks. Terminals operate globally and the user interface is standard across all products. FleetBroadband from Stratos supports any IP services, as well as traditional circuit-switched voice and ISDN data for legacy applications. Terminal costs are relatively low and the network will support all the latest security protocols.
FleetBroadband from Stratos Features the Stratos Advantage
With the benefit of the Stratos Advantage, FleetBroadband from Stratos is elevated far above baseline FleetBroadband services. The value-added services comprising the Stratos Advantage provide users with cost and traffic control, firewall management, data optimization, high security options, easy VPN access, messaging services and full IP range. More than 4,000 mobile users in 180 countries already utilize the Stratos Advantage for BGAN.
In addition to offering the Stratos Advantage, Stratos will work with application partners to deliver broadband business solutions in key maritime business areas. These solutions include voyage management, remote management, IT management and cargo management, which help reduce fuel and operations costs and improve crew and customer satisfaction.
Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said, "With FleetBroadband from Stratos now available, we can begin to fulfill significant market demand for a solution that provides optimal performance, along with cost efficiency and first-rate security and support. The addition of this important service enables Stratos to offer the industry's most extensive portfolio of maritime communications and value-added services."
FleetBroadband from Stratos is available to end-users and Stratos channel partners in several attractive pricing packages, including group pricing, on-demand pricing and pre-paid pricing. Maritime customers can secure more information on FleetBroadband from Stratos by calling their Stratos account manager or by visiting www.thepowerofmobilebroadband.com.
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.
