India Broadband Forum

India Broadband Internet

Marlink, a world leader in communications via satellite,announced today that its office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,initiated the sales of 10 maritime broadband communications systemsduring the first half of 2006.

Marlink Dubai's most recent agreement is a three-year pact withCCC Underwater for a broadband very small aperture terminal (VSAT)system aboard the CCC Pioneer. The vessel is designed for offshoreconstruction including pipe and cable laying and will be operating inwaters throughout the Middle East and off the coast of India. The newVSAT system provides communications that will enable the CCC Pioneerto increase operations efficiency while at sea as well as give thecrew an effective means of staying in touch with family and friends athome. Installation of the system is scheduled for September.

Earlier this year, Marlink signed a multi-year-year agreement withNational Gas Shipping Company, Ltd for the delivery of eight globalSealink VSAT systems. The systems, currently being installed onboardthe company's liquified natural gas (LNG) transport vessels, willprovide resource-efficient broadband data and voice communications tosupport the company's international maritime operations.

Marlink also signed a multi-year agreement with GeoBird forinstallation of a global C-band VSAT system onboard the company's newflagship, the Hawk Explorer. GeoBird also has other vessels operatingwith the highly advanced Sealink at-sea broadband communicationsservices via Telenor Satellite Services.

Offering maritime broadband communications at speeds of up to twomegabits per second, Telenor's Sealink service enables efficient andcost-effective 'at sea' communications for ship operations includingInternet access, video conferencing, e-mail, fax, and telephonecalling. The Sealink system offers one of the industry's most advancedshipboard satellite communications solutions available today, completewith the highest reliability for maritime Very Small Aperture Terminal(VSAT) communications.

"As the maritime industry's comprehensive one-stop-shop forequipment, installation and multiple airtime services, Marlink isuniquely positioned to assist customers in selecting the correctsatellite communications to meet both their operational needs andbudgets," said Soren Einshoj, managing director of Marlink. "Marlinkservices play a critical role in enhancing ship operations and aredesigned to offer both captain and crew the ability to stay in touchwith people around the globe while providing the ship owners the bestcommunications solution for their money."