MTN And Maritime Broadband Provide Global VSAT Services Aboard Hellespont Ship Management Product Tanker
Aug. 23, 2010
MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), the global provider of communications, connectivity, and content services to remote locations around the world, and Maritime Broadband LLC, makers of the C-Bird™ VSAT system, announced that they have been selected to provide communication services to the MT Hellespont Progress product tanker under a 36-month agreement with German-based ship owner Hellespont Ship Management GmbH & Co. KG.
“On the MT Hellespont Progress, we have chosen to proceed with a 3-year contract for MTN global C-Band services utilizing Maritime Broadband’s C-Bird™. We have found MTN’s worldwide coverage to be consistent and C-Bird™ to be economical and reliable,” said Matthias Edler, IT manager, Hellespont Ship Management “In addition, we are providing Internet and telephone services to our crew on a regular and affordable basis.”
The Hellespont Ship Management GmbH & Co. KG MT Hellespont Progress vessel was outfitted with Maritime Broadband’s C-Bird™ antenna system in December 2009 with service delivered via MTN’s global, private satellite communications network. MT Hellespont Progress is a 228.6-meter product vessel built in 2006 and trades worldwide.
“My crew are really enjoying the C-Bird™ and MTN’s VSAT services. After a hard day’s work, family and friends are just a snap of the finger away,” reported Captain Amo of the MT Hellespont Progress.
The vessel was fitted with four phone lines for crew calling as well as email and Internet access. In addition, MTN’s global VSAT satellite network will be used for all ship operations including remote management communications. The 36-month contract calls for a guaranteed committed information rate (CIR) of 64 kbps with maximum bandwidth of 128 kbps.
“More and more commercial shipping vessels are realizing the value proposition that MTN VSAT offers,” said Bradford C. Briggs, senior vice president and general manager, MTN commercial shipping and energy services. “Our competitive, committed information rate (CIR) service plans, guaranteed bandwidths, and superior service backed by a reliable, private, global satellite communications network ensure that commercial vessels will always have the connectivity they need to be fully operational.”
“We are proud to offer Hellespont Ship Management and all our customers the highest quality global maritime service available through our partnership with MTN. The MTN network is carefully managed to consistently exceed the customer's expectations for full global coverage and data throughput. We depend on MTN's team and network to support the growth of C-Bird™ as the standard for global communication in commercial maritime,” said Mary Ellen Kramer, president, Maritime Broadband LLC.
