SeaMobile, Inc., the dominant provider of at-sea communications,
connectivity and content services, today announced that it has
successfully launched its proprietary wireless technology for
customers of Geolink's OceanCell service. Geolink is a pioneer and
leading provider of satellite-based broadband communications and
networking services with extensive experience serving the European
market.
In addition, the company formally announced its multi-year
contract with Wireless Solutions International, Inc. (WSI) to provide
roaming services to Geolink customers in Europe using the WSI
OmniRoamer Sponsored Roaming Service.
In December 2006, SeaMobile announced that it had signed a
definitive agreement to acquire Geolink. In less than one month, the
transition to the SeaMobile technology platform has been nearly
completed. The SeaMobile technology is a sophisticated IP/software
based solution that allows any type of phone used by the wireless
customer to access the SeaMobile network at sea.
"By using the SeaMobile technology platform, Geolink OceanCell
customers are accessing a state-of-the-art GSM cellular switch located
at SeaMobile's teleport," said Jim Ellis, SeaMobile chief technology
officer. "SeaMobile owns the switch, enabling us to better control the
quality of service and enhance wireless voice and data service
features for Geolink's more than 50 cruise and ferry vessels."
WSI's OmniRoamer provides extensions to a terrestrial wireless
network, in this case European operator Manx Telecom, a Telefonica O2
Europe company. OmniRoamer enables subscribers of Manx Telecom's
roaming partners to utilize services provided aboard an increasing
number of cruise ships, ferries and yachts around the world, including
those served by Geolink OceanCell. The combination of Geolink's
satellite services, SeaMobile-equipped vessels, and WSI OmniRoamer
maritime roaming service allows virtually anyone aboard a vessel at
sea to use voice and data services available through their wireless
home carrier, just as they would on land. Charges for calls and data
services while at sea simply appear on the wireless customer's bill
from their home carrier.
"There has been significant growth in at-sea communications
services recently and this has created an increased focus on maritime
roaming by industry bodies such as the GSM Association," said Pierre
Macquet, chief executive officer of Geolink. "It was imperative that
we develop our service to be fully compliant with industry guidelines.
SeaMobile, WSI and Manx Telecom have worked together to ensure that
this was the case to satisfy the requirements of Geolink's OceanCell
customers."
Trials on board a number of ships were held in order to prove that
the maritime coverage followed the binding requirements laid down by
the GSM Association. For example, the service must turn off when the
vessel reaches coastal waters so as not to interfere with terrestrial
networks. Similarly, operators who wish to allow their subscribers to
roam on board suitably equipped vessels must actively sign up for the
service and receive separate billing notifications.
"We have worked hard with WSI over the last twelve months to bring
on board a very large number of worldwide roaming agreements, and are
continuing to increase our coverage," added Ellis. "It is important
that as the dominant player in maritime communication services, we
offer as many guests as possible the opportunity to benefit from these
services."
"SeaMobile is a very prestigious client for WSI and is rapidly
expanding the number of ships on which it offers maritime roaming,"
said Martin Guilfoyle, WSI chief technology officer and founder.
"SeaMobile's relationship with Geolink dramatically increases the
roaming coverage for international passengers and crew on board
numerous vessels, and we have been pleased to continue to work with
SeaMobile on this phase of its growth. For WSI, these are the first
steps on the path towards a true, maritime roaming hub."
Guilfoyle continued, "We are seeing a large demand for solutions
such as OmniRoamer, designed to meet the requirements of the GSM
Association's initiatives, which provide enhanced coverage and
increased roaming revenues, yet are easy and economical to implement.
OmniRoamer is just one of the many ways that WSI is contributing to
the work of the various roaming programs currently underway within the
GSM Association. WSI is proud to be part of the Association,
supporting industry initiatives by delivering solutions in these key
areas."
About SeaMobile Enterprises
SeaMobile Enterprises is the dominant global service provider of
at-sea communications, connectivity and content services. Our global
VSAT satellite communications network is delivered by the industry
leader, Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a SeaMobile
company.
Combined with our superior technology and customer support, we
provide always-on connectivity to deliver a vast array of services for
businesses, government entities and consumers. Services include mobile
phone voice and data, wireless for PDAs and laptops, access to printed
versions of more than 350 daily newspapers, live television, internet
cafes and much more.
SeaMobile Enterprises offers solutions for cruise lines, ferries,
yachts, container ships, offshore platforms and the government and
military. The company has offices in Seattle, WA; Miramar, FL; London,
England; Paris, France; Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece. For more
information, please visit www.seamobile.com and www.mtnsat.com.
About Geolink
For 15 years, Geolink has been a pioneer in providing reliable,
continuous and secure telecommunication services, as well as value
added services required by individuals or organizations, where
traditional telecommunication infrastructures are unusable or
non-existent, or can simply not be economically envisaged. Geolink
offers fixed and mobile voice satellite telecommunications solutions,
maritime and land-based broadband data satellite services and on-board
maritime GSM services. Visit www.geolink.com for more information.
About Wireless Solutions International
Wireless Solutions International (WSI) is a renowned provider of
strategic, wireless consulting services and innovative, managed
roaming solutions. These services enable operators to capitalize on
the latest advances in technology and to profit successfully from the
ever "shrinking" wireless world.
WSI's experienced team members are recognized as pioneers in the
wireless industry. Over the years, these skilled professionals have
completed high quality assignments in telecommunications, technology
and product development for wireless operators and vendors, and have
provided management consultancy to address emerging and existing
business issues.
WSI's core competency lies in roaming, with a full range of
solutions from turnkey service bureau offerings to IREG and TADIG
testing. WSI's OmniRoamer Sponsored Roaming solution provides
terrestrial and non-terrestrial operators with quick and cost
effective access to roaming coverage in numerous, international
markets - all through one simple roaming agreement - and allows
subscribers from these markets to roam in the operators' networks.
Globally, many wireless operators rely on WSI's solutions to
provide service to their subscribers, and WSI has provided insight and
solutions to customers and the industry through forums including
GSMNA, RCA, CDG, TADIG, BARG, CANTO and IETF. WSI is an associate
member of both RCA and the GSM Association. For more information
please visit www.wsi-americas.com.
About Manx Telecom
Manx Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefonica O2 Europe,
is the Isle of Man's telecommunications provider, offering world class
fixed line and mobile telephony services, closely integrated with the
UK telephone number range. Manx Telecom's ISP, Manxnet, offers a full
range of Internet services and a portfolio of quality hosting products
and services at their recently completed, purpose-built hosting
centre.
Manx Telecom has earned a reputation for being at the leading edge
of telecommunications development. The company has invested more than
GBP 50 million over the last five years in the Island's
telecommunications infrastructure and is committed to a further GBP 30
million investment over the next three years.
Manx Telecom was one of the first companies in the world to offer
broadband ADSL services to its customers and, in December 2001, became
the first telecommunications operator in Europe to launch a live 3G
network. In November 2005, the company became the first in Europe to
offer its customers an HSDPA (3.5G) service.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. A number of the matters and subject areas
discussed in this press release that are not historical or current
facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments,
including our future expectations concerning the operations of
SeaMobile and MTN. The discussion of such matters and subject areas is
qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future
expectations generally and also may materially differ from SeaMobile's
and MTN's actual future experience involving any one or more of such
matters and subject areas. SeaMobile and MTN have attempted to
identify, in context, certain of the factors that they currently
believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ from
SeaMobile's and MTN's current expectations regarding the relevant
matter or subject area. This press release speaks only as of its date,
and SeaMobile and MTN disclaim any duty to update the information
herein.