MTN Satellite Communications Increases Global Presence by Inking VSAT Deal for New Costa Cruises Flagship, Costa Fascinosa

Dec. 5, 2011

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), will provide Costa Cruises' new flagship, Costa Fascinosa, with Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services by leveraging its global satellite network that so many cruise ships have come to rely on for delivering crew and passenger data anywhere in the world. For the past two decades MTN has proven that it is the de-facto VSAT standard within the cruise industry and this selection by Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and the number-one cruise company in Europe, demonstrates the company's growing foothold within the European market.

MTN operates a worldwide footprint of VSAT satellite connectivity with more than 35 satellite footprints. MTN's secure network infrastructure consists of 10 teleport gateways and 13 points of presence, strategically located across the globe. Each of these facilities is interconnected through an extensive redundant terrestrial network backbone offering numerous connectivity options to meet partners' important business and communications requirements. This infrastructure is critical to ensure communications are 100 percent operational no matter the weather condition or location of the vessel.

"We have been outfitting cruise ships with the most reliable, secure VSAT services longer than any other company and through the years we have developed an in-depth understanding of this industry's unique communications requirements," said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president and general manager of MTN's cruise and ferry business. "Costa Fascinosa, the ship that we are currently outfitting, will be delivered in spring 2012 by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard and will carry 3,800 total passengers. In today's wireless world, passengers expect to have the latest communications capabilities at their disposal while the crew relies on VSAT services to provide a memorable experience and ensure the safety of its passengers."