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Blue Ocean Wireless Launches the World's First GSM Network for Merchant Maritime Vessels



    Blue Ocean Wireless, an Irish company focused on expanding
    communication capability in the merchant maritime sector, today
    announced the launch of the world's first GSM network for merchant
    maritime vessels.

    Blue Ocean Wireless is a joint venture between private investment
    firm, Claret Capital, and Irish technology communications company,
    Altobridge. Blue Ocean Wireless' service will, for the first time,
    enable seafarers to use their existing mobile phones on board vessels
    in deep ocean water in exactly same way that they would do in port or
    on land. Users of the service will be able to make and receive voice
    calls, send and receive SMS text and email messages and browse the
    internet using their existing handset. The service will be directed at
    more than one million seafarers serving as crew on more than 40,000
    merchant ships in service world-wide.

    Blue Ocean Wireless Service Offering

    Blue Ocean Wireless will, together with Inmarsat, the leading
    global satellite communications service provider, and a leading mobile
    network operator, provide a global GSM mobile service specifically
    focused on crew members of merchant ships. This technology can also be
    applied to Superyachts and other merchant vessels.

    Blue Ocean Wireless will also make it possible for ship owners,
    insurers and Government authorities, as well as shipping suppliers and
    customers, to track individual shipping containers on board merchant
    vessels as they traverse the globe using RFID technology. Global
    logistics managers will be able to independently and reliably monitor,
    from home base, the status of their shipment containers at all times.
    This will include the location of the container and other aspects of
    its condition such as temperature, humidity and, particularly
    important for security, whether it had been opened or otherwise
    interfered with.

    Domhnal Slattery, Chairman of Blue Ocean Wireless commented "We
    are delighted to announce the launch of this service today. We have
    conducted extensive full scale ocean trials of the system which have
    confirmed not only the robustness of the product but also the level of
    potential demand. The ability to communicate with friends and families
    is immensely important to seafarers given the length of time they are
    obliged to spend away from home. The reaction from the crews of the
    ships on which we conducted the trials was tremendously positive and
    we are confident that there will be a strong market for the product."

    He concluded "We are extremely pleased to have Inmarsat as a key
    partner in this process because of its remarkable track record in
    delivering communications and safety solutions to the marine sector
    along with Altobridge whose unique technology is a key enabler for
    this product. No other technology can currently provide cost effective
    communication for small users groups such as the crew complements on
    merchant ships. We believe the roll-out of Blue Ocean Wireless' system
    will be transformational for the lives of over one million seafarers
    around the globe."

    Technology

    The Altobridge patent pending unique technology, the Aeronautical
    & Maritime Gateway Platform, enables cellular coverage on ships at
    sea, at affordable rates. The onboard cellular network connects back
    to the land based cellular network via the ships existing Inmarsat
    satellite system. The Altobridge ground breaking AM Gateway Platform
    architecture is unique in that it does not necessitate permanent
    satellite connections. The satellite connection is on demand, subject
    to end user interaction. The equipment footprint is small and compact;
    in fact the radio base station itself is the smallest commercial radio
    base station in the world, based on "nano" technology. Installation
    can be carried out by traditional maritime installation and
    commissioning engineers.

    Press Conference

    Blue Ocean Wireless and Inmarsat are hosting a press conference to
    launch Blue Ocean Wireless and announce their sponsorship of British
    yachtsman, Tony Bullimore's attempt to break the solo round the world
    sailing record in the Blue Ocean Wireless Round the World Challenge.
    The press conference, and a live interview with Tony Bullimore, will
    take place today, March 28, at 10.30am at the offices of Inmarsat plc,
    99 City Road, London EC1Y 1AX. A live dial in facility for those
    unable to attend is also available on +44 20 7138 0813.

    About Blue Ocean Wireless

    Blue Ocean Wireless is an Irish company focused on expanding
    communication capability in the merchant maritime sector. Blue Ocean
    Wireless will provide, for the first time, GSM connectivity for
    seafarers in deep ocean water, where no other network exists, which
    allows users to make and receive voice calls, send and receive SMS
    text and email messages and browse the internet using their existing
    handset. Blue Ocean Wireless' offering is based on Altobridge's unique
    patent pending Aeronautical & Maritime Gateway Platform technology.
    This technology can also be applied to Superyachts, other merchant
    vessels and used, in conjunction with RFID technology, to track and
    monitor shipping containers while they are in transit.

    About Claret Capital

    Claret Capital is a private investment firm based in Dublin,
    Ireland and was founded by Domhnal Slattery in 2005. Claret Capital
    manages the assets of a small number of ultra high net worth
    individuals and families and has a global investment mandate. The firm
    has completed investments in the Private Equity, Real Estate, Media
    and Technology sectors. Claret Capital has also founded a number of
    new ventures including JetBird, Europe's first low cost on demand
    private jet airline. JetBird has ordered 100 aircraft from Embraer and
    is the launch customer in Europe for the Phenom 100 very light jet.

    About Altobridge

    Altobridge is focused on delivering cost effective communications
    for remote communities including rural villages, seafarers, airline
    travellers and the world's military, navy and coastguard. Altobridge's
    technology has also been licensed by AeroMobile, a joint venture
    between Telenor and ARINC to provide the world's first operational
    on-board aircraft mobile phone system.