Launch follows successful pilot testing of high-end satellite-based phone,
Internet and TV service
STUTTGART, Germany–(Business Wire)–
GE Satcom has unveiled the commercial launch of a satellite-based communications
service designed to support a range of value-added services for merchant vessel
operators.
The project was originally developed and co-piloted in close collaboration with
a Hamburg-based German fleet operator whose insight into the needs of commercial
shipping and its crew were critical to the solution design. A six month pilot
was first carried out on board a large container vessel operating between ports
in Asia, Africa and Europe, and following successful acceptance the service has
now been scheduled for commercial roll out to 14 more ships.
The `Satlynx Maritime` solution from GE Satcom provides a sophisticated platform
for delivering an innovative triple-play service The solution provides
telephone, Internet access and a range of TV content including daily news,
sports reports and magazine shows that can be multiplexed into any cabin,
technical or recreation room. The cost effective, flat-rate service operates on
the iDirect Evolution platform. Using Ku-band as the primary link, the service
can automatically switch to an L-Band link via Inmarsat or Iridium as a back-up
solution.
A maritime customer of GE Satcom, Captain G. Falk Bethke, Chief Superintendant
of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, commented, “GE Satcom have been extremely
flexible in overcoming their customers` primary challenges and adapting to their
specific needs. GE Satcom`s simple retrofit solution provides a scalable
platform on which cutting-edge fleet management applications can be built, such
as location tracking, eco-routing, and performance monitoring to reduce
operational costs – for both new builds and existing ships alike.”
Ronny Svang, President and CEO of GE Satcom said, “The always-on connectivity we
provide means the service will be available 24/7 over most commercial shipping
lanes around the world, enabling the fleet owners and crew to constantly
optimise the cost of communications for both ship operation and extended plug &
play Internet, voice and TV services.”
“The maritime sector is extremely competitive and it`s vital to have the best
crew for our fleet. The better we`re able to look after our crew, the easier it
is to attract and retain the top people. What GE Satcom has done is bring
affordability to first-class crew welfare services,” added Captain Bethke.
About GE Satcom
GE Satcom provides advanced satellite communication solutions on a
multi-regional scale. With access to over 30 satellites, GE Satcom owns two
state-of-the-art teleport centres in Germany and Switzerland. Today, GE Satcom
has successfully deployed around 10,000 VSAT sites in over 130 countries,
providing turnkey satellite network solutions directly to enterprises, maritime
operators, NGOs and government entities which require reliable access to the
Internet, telephony, large data transmission and TV content applications from
dispersed locations.
GE Satcom
Viviana Kennedy, +49 7191 971 3728
press@gesatcom.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010
