Blue Ocean Wireless ("BOW"), an Irish company focused on
delivering GSM communication capability for the merchant maritime
sector, today announced that it has reached an agreement to partner
with Stratos Global Corporation (TSX:SGB), the leading global provider
of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, to
provide Inmarsat satellite services to BOW's merchant maritime
customer base on a non-exclusive basis. The agreement follows
successful trials of the BOW offering on board two container vessels
conducted in late 2006 by Blue Ocean Wireless, Stratos and Inmarsat.
Blue Ocean Wireless will, together with Inmarsat, Stratos and a
leading GSM network operator, provide a dedicated global GSM service
for crew members of merchant ships. Under the partnership arrangement,
Stratos will host Blue Ocean Wireless equipment at each of its Land
Earth Stations (LES) around the world and provide terrestrial
connectivity to GSM operators for BOW via its StratosNexus network.
Stratos is the leading Inmarsat provider to the global shipping
industry.
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 the same way that they would do in port or on
land. The BOW service will also enable ship owners, insurers and
government authorities, as well as suppliers and customers, to track
and monitor individual containers on board merchant vessels as they
traverse the globe using a combination of GPRS and RFID technology.
"We are excited to be partnering with Blue Ocean Wireless in
delivering GSM solutions to the maritime sector," said Stratos
President and CEO, Jim Parm. "Stratos, in providing Inmarsat-based
services to Blue Ocean Wireless, is further extending its commitment
to delivering crew welfare solutions to the maritime community."
Mr Robert Johnson, CEO of Blue Ocean Wireless, commented, "We are
delighted to announce partnership arrangements with Stratos, an
established provider of global communications solutions to the
merchant maritime sector."
About Blue Ocean Wireless
Blue Ocean Wireless is an Irish company focused on expanding
communication capability in the merchant maritime sector. Blue Ocean
Wireless provides, for the first time, GSM connectivity for seafarers
in deep ocean water, where no other network exists. This allows users
to make and receive voice calls, send and receive SMS text messages
and, in time, browse the internet using their existing handsets. Blue
Ocean Wireless' offering is based on Altobridge's unique 'Aeronautical
& Maritime Gateway Platform'(TM) technology. This technology can also
be used, in conjunction with RFID technology, to track and monitor
shipping containers while they are in transit at sea. For more
information, visit www.blueoceanwireless.com
About Stratos
Stratos (TSX:SGB), with over a century of service, is the world's
trusted leader for vital communications, offering the most powerful
and extensive portfolio of remote communications products, including
mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. Stratos' more than
20,000 customers use our services on seven continents and across the
world's oceans. Stratos serves U.S. and international government,
military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime,
aeronautical, enterprise, and media users. For more information, visit
www.stratosglobal.com