Station711, the mobile satellite arm of RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd (NASDAQ: RRST), an innovative and flexible mobile satellite communications provider, announced today that it has signed a contract for the provision of Inmarsat FleetBroadband services to Swire Pacific Offshore (SPO) in collaboration with service provider SMTS.
Singapore-based SPO, a leading service provider to the offshore oil and gas industry, is set to install the new broadband satcom service on 60 vessels and intends to use it for operations, logistics, navigation and crew welfare services.
Prior to signing the agreement, RRsat, SMTS and SPO conducted over 3 months of extensive testing of the solution on one of SPO’s new vessel to verify that it would meet the company’s current and future requirements. A smart@sea gateway was set up to control the LANs used on the vessel for operations and crew welfare, including a total of seven PCs and three VoIP phones for pre-paid, post-paid use, and WAN support for the FleetBroadband 500.
The agreement, for a minimum of three years, comprises a smart@sea communication gateway, SAILOR FB500 terminals, a tailored fleet-wide pricing package from Inmarsat, and ongoing maintenance and support services from SMTS and Station711. SMTS will provide the turnkey solution for the installation of the terminals and onboard LANs on SPO’s vessels. Station711 will provide satcom management applications from its Station711 solutions range, such as the smart@sea gateway for UTM security, crew welfare voice and data module, IP traffic real-time compression, acceleration, caching and filtering, VoIP platform, shore-side unified POP facility providing a centralized management interface, and a powerful control system.
“ Along with daily business communications, we are also excited about smart@sea’s unique features for onboard crew welfare. By using the dedicated onboard internet cafe, in combination with solutions such as the VoIP scratch cards, crew members can keep in touch with loved ones at home, and enjoy the worldwide web on their off-duty time,” said Colin Payne Human Resources Director, Swire Pacific Offshore.
“Providing SPO with end-to-end fleet satellite communications services is based upon the deep understanding of its IT and HR departments’ requirements,” said Zvika Nave, Senior Director of Mobile Satellite communications, Station 711. “We’re honored that SPO has chosen to place its trust in us to deliver reliable communications for their critical operations.”
“This is a good example of the capability and flexibility of FleetBroadband to meet the varied needs of shipping companies such as Swire Pacific Offshore,” said Perry Melton, Chief Operating Officer at Inmarsat . “With smart@sea it offers a powerful combination, providing a comprehensive and cost-effective means to deliver a wide range of communications, from the bridge to the mess.”
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Source: Station 711, March 29, 2011; Image: