Iridium Provides Reliable Low-Cost Satellite E-Mail Service for Zodiac Ships
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BETHESDA, Md. - October 4, 2006 - Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd., a major international ship management company, has equipped its fleet of 132 ships with an Iridium-based satellite e-mail system supplied by AND Group plc in a move to reduce the rising costs of ship-to-shore communication.
The shipboard package includes a Thrane and Thrane Sailor ST4120 transceiver bundled with AND's Rapidomail software. Satellite airtime is being supplied by AND Group in partnership with France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, an Iridium service provider.
The Rapidomail system provides a complete integrated e-mail solution for a ship's business and crew calling. The crew mail service operates on a prepaid platform, using a unique virtual pin technology. Each participating crew member gets a private password protected mailbox. Value-added services include crew shopping, news, weather and sports results.
Zodiac's shore-based managers have access to Web-based reporting, allowing live analysis of each ship's usage and mailbox activity, including cost analysis per message. The prepaid crew e-mail service is totally independent of the ship's e-mail traffic, and airtime bills exclude all crew based airtime charges.
"The Rapidomail Iridium package provides substantial savings over alternative solutions in both hardware and calling costs," said Ian Robinson, chief operating officer of AND Group plc. "It also supplies a more reliable communication method and a greater range of services. As we develop the software applications in house we are highly flexible and can provide customized solutions tailored to each individual customer's needs"
"Zodiac has joined the increasing number of major ship management companies that have switched to Iridium as their primary satellite communication link," said Don Thoma, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite. "Iridium's constellation of 66 cross-linked satellites in low earth orbits, supported by highly professional service partners like AND, provides a unique value proposition to ship owners and managers in terms of global coverage and low calling charges for satellite airtime."
About Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd.
Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd. is an international ship management company specializing in the management of Cape-size, Panamax and handy-size bulk carriers, reefer vessels, chemical tankers, LPG tankers, container ships and pure car and truck carriers. Zodiac is a United Kingdom registered company and was established in the mid 1970s. Today, the company manages a fleet of more than 130 ships.
About AND Group plc
Founded in 1974 in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, in the United Kingdom, AND Group plc is an internationally recognized provider of specialized communication and engineering services to the marine and offshore sectors. The company provides design, consulting and installation services for navigation, alarm and monitoring, automation and communication technologies to a wide variety of clients operating in the marine and oil and gas industries.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.
Press Contacts:
Liz DeCastro
Iridium Satellite LLC
+ 1 (301) 571-6257
liz.decastro@iridium.com
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com
