Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway
(Oslo Stock Exchange: TEL and NASDAQ: TELN) announced today that it
has teamed with Telemar Scandinavia AB on delivery of broadband
maritime communications for 27 vessels managed by Wallenius Marine AB.
Under the terms of the recently signed agreement between Telemar
and Wallenius Marine, Telemar will deliver and install antennas and
other equipment, and provide the "always-on" global broadband for
voice, fax, data and Internet access via Telenor Satellite Services'
Sealink(TM) maritime very small aperture (VSAT) solution.
Installations have already begun with plans to complete all
installations within two years.
During a recently concluded pilot project, Wallenius tested and
evaluated the Sealink and found it to be a proven and reliable system.
Sealink is Telenor's cost-efficient and highly reliable maritime
broadband system that provides voice and high-speed data services via
satellite, including Internet access and crew calling, Sealink is
considered the leading broadband system for both Ku-band for regional
coverage and C-band for worldwide coverage, which is a prerequisite
for the Wallenius Fleet.
"Maritime telecommunications are now undergoing major changes.
Wallenius is the first shipping company of its kind to fit their ships
with global broadband at large scale. The company's decision is
therefore a landmark breakthrough for the maritime communications
industry," said Captain Lars Brodje, managing director of Telemar
Scandinavia. "In addition to paving the way for more efficient ship
operation, the broadband facilities will improve the crew's social
situation by making it easier to stay in contact with friends and
family."
"We are delighted that Telemar and Wallenius have selected the
Sealink maritime VSAT solution to meet the global 'at sea'
communications requirements for Wallenius' fleet," said Tore Morten
Olsen, executive vice president of Telenor Satellite Services.
"Telenor's Sealink VSAT solution enables Wallenius to provide its
vessels and ship operators with a complete suite of business
communications capabilities complete with advanced IP-based
applications similar to what they expect at their home and office."
Sealink(TM) is Telenor's suite of digital high-speed
communications solutions that extend corporate networks and make other
broadband communications available to ships at sea. Sealink provides
turnkey managed communications solutions for a wide variety of
maritime industries as well as ocean-going transportation and supply
operations. All communications are delivered through Telenor's
fully-owned network of teleports.
Telenor is one of the world's largest providers of mobile
broadband services on land and at sea, supporting more than 2,000
land-based VSAT sites and operating on more than 500 ships around the
world.
