MUMBAI: Intelsat today announced that they have inked a new five-year contract with Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN).
Intelsat will provide MTN with additional capacity to expand the range of satellite-based services that MTN provides to its maritime customers, including the worlds largest cruise lines.
The added capacity, which Intelsat will provide on its IS-805, IS-903 and IS-906 satellites, will enable MTN to offer a comprehensive suite of on-board services such as automated teller machine (ATM) transactions, daily delivery of up to 150 newspapers, high-speed Internet access and cellular telephone services to passengers and crew members sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, says a company release.
According to MTN chief executive officer David Kagan, "MTNs leadership position in global maritime telecommunications is based on our ability to provide reliable communications solutions via satellite that customers can depend on virtually wherever they are needed. We continue to leverage our strategic relationship with Intelsat and its global system because it provides us with the coverage, superior customer service and network consistency we need in a strategic partner in order to serve our customers and enter new markets."
"In the past, ship-to-shore communications were basic in nature and only required narrowband capabilities, but today, passengers can reap the benefits of high-bandwidth satellite delivery from Intelsat and innovative applications from service providers such as MTN to transform their onboard experience," said Intelsats Data, president, carrier and Internet unit, John Stanton.
"The increase in daily use of broadband technology has created demand for fixed satellite services (FSS) in this important vertical market as ships continue to upgrade their networks to support applications such as e-mail and video conference. Intelsat, with global beams and prime coverage of both land and ocean regions, is well-suited to provide maritime services to customers who have real-time, modern-day, ship-to-shore communications needs," he added.
