08 March 2016
Marlink and Intelsat S.A. announced today that their strategic agreement – initiated in 2014 to introduce improved maritime offerings to the marketplace  – continues to pay dividends for the companies and the maritime end-users. Marlink continues to roll out additional connectivity services via Intelsat’s Globalized Network which includes secure access to Intelsat’s global Ku-band capacity and terrestrially managed network, IntelsatOne.  Marlink is now preparing to deliver a quantum improvement in throughput that will help satisfy end-user demand as the first of the Intelsat Epic satellites is on schedule to be integrated into the network solution in the second quarter of 2016.

The surge in data across the maritime sector helped drive the creation of the partnership between Marlink, the leader in maritime VSAT by market share, according to Comsys, and Intelsat, the leading provider of maritime broadband services for FSS operators in C- and Ku-band, according to NSR. This strong partnership has already yielded value for end-users. Marlink’s new and existing customers, such as Rickmers and Stena Line, leverage their innovative applications for vessel operations in addition to enhancing passenger and crew connectivity services over Intelsat satellites. 

Along with access to Intelsat’s Globalized Network, the agreement enables Marlink to supplement its existing maritime VSAT services with the high throughput Intelsat Epic platform. Intelsat Epic is backwards compatible with Intelsat’s existing Ku-band and C-band network and will deliver higher throughput and power to enable the use of smaller terminals in the maritime sector. The “Intelsat Epic ready” design of the Marlink network will enable maritime customers to cost effectively and seamlessly incorporate this higher throughput into their operations.
 
Intelsat 29e is currently undergoing in-orbit testing at its orbital location at 310° E and is on track to begin operations in the second quarter of 2016. It will provide coverage over the Americas, Caribbean and the heavily traveled North Atlantic route. Future Intelsat Epic launches will ensure that Marlink and its customers have access to a fully global and integrated satellite solution that delivers consistent, high throughput services. Intelsat 33e, scheduled for launch later in the year, will bring capacity over Europe, Africa and Asia, while Horizons 3e will complete the Intelsat Epicglobal footprint in 2018.
 
“The coverage and throughput that Intelsat’s Globalized Network delivers are critical features that help us stand out in a competitive market,” said Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink. “Even more importantly, the flexibility to choose and control the design of our networks enables us to cost-effectively meet end-user demand regardless of location, a critical feature given that our customers operate around the globe. The higher power and performance delivered by Intelsat Epic will support our provision of high speeds which will support our users across all maritime segments, but will be particularly relevant to offshore and cruise vessel customers who depend on high levels of reliable bandwidth in daily operations.”

Kurt Riegelman, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Intelsat, said: “The confidence that Marlink has shown in Intelsat has affirmed our position as the number one provider of wholesale satellite communication to the maritime sector. Marlink’s growth – even before the first Intelsat Epicsatellite begins operations – confirms that we have taken the right approach with our HTS platform. Our customers can differentiate and add more value to their offerings. With maritime services demand forecasted to grow, this will help them take advantage of an attractive opportunity.”

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