GSM Service targets merchant maritime market.
Press Release Summary:
Using Inmarsat satellites, GSM Oceanwide provides full GSM capabilities in deep ocean waters, enabling seafarers to utilize their existing mobile phones as they would in port or on land. Users can receive and place calls, as well as send SMS messages via their own GSM number. Providing reliable voice connectivity, service enables ship managers to quickly contact merchant maritime officers.
Original Press Release:
Stratos Introduces GSM Oceanwide to Provide Global, Deep-Ocean GSM Service for Merchant Maritime Market
- GSM Oceanwide(TM) is the first service providing full GSM capabilities in deep ocean waters, using Inmarsat satellites -
BETHESDA, MD, Nov. 15 /-- Stratos Global Corp. (TSX: SGB), the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today introduced GSM Oceanwide, a dedicated, global GSM service for crewmembers and officers of merchant ships. GSM Oceanwide 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.
GSM Oceanwide, available now worldwide, is ideally suited as a crew-calling solution, enabling users to receive and place calls and send SMS messages via their own GSM number. The service also provides reliable voice connectivity, enabling ship managers to quickly contact merchant maritime officers. In the future, Stratos expects to expand the capabilities of GSM Oceanwide to include email and web browsing.
Stratos is the largest distributor of Inmarsat satellite services to the global maritime industry. GSM Oceanwide is the latest addition to Stratos' growing portfolio of maritime communications services, all of which are designed to enhance maritime business productivity and improve shipboard life for crewmembers. Over the past year, Stratos completed a successful trial program of GSM Oceanwide onboard two large container vessels managed by its customers.
Stratos developed GSM Oceanwide in partnership with Blue Ocean Wireless (BOW). The service uses an onboard pico cell, gateway and two Inmarsat F33 terminals. The F33 terminals can be upgraded to the new Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminal. BOW will deploy the hardware infrastructure on the customers' vessels for an affordable monthly fee - without the need for upfront capital expenditure. Crewmembers and officers pay a per-minute charge for the service, as part of a pre-paid solution.
"As the latest addition to our expanding selection of maritime communications solutions, we expect that GSM Oceanwide will receive an enthusiastic response from the 1.2 million seafarers worldwide," said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm.
He added, "We expect ship owners and ship managers will derive great benefit from this flexible new service, which is available without a large upfront cost. For a low monthly fee, GSM Oceanwide provides a valuable tool that can help expedite official business communications and also serve as crew-communications solution to help recruit and retain qualified seafarers."
Maritime customers can secure more information on GSM Oceanwide by calling their Stratos account manager or by visiting www.stratosglobal.com/gsmoceanwide/.
About Blue Ocean Wireless
Blue Ocean Wireless is an Irish company focused on expanding communication capability in the merchant maritime sector. The Company's service portfolio includes global GSM connectivity for merchant seafarers operating in deep ocean waters. For more information, please visit blueoceanwireless.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.
