Blue Ocean Wireless ("BOW"), an Irish company focused on
delivering GSM communication capability for the merchant maritime
sector, and Japan Radio Company ("JRC"), one of the world's longest
established companies in the field of marine electronics, today
announced that JRC will provide BOW with its Fleet F33 terminal, the
JUE-33, to connect BOW onboard equipment to the Inmarsat satellite
system.
JRC was selected by Blue Ocean Wireless to provide Fleet F33
terminals onboard customers' vessels given its proven track record in
wireless communication and its position as the leading supplier of
Inmarsat mobile earth stations. JRC's Fleet F33 terminal has the
world's smallest antenna, and is easily fitted to any maritime vessel.
It also provides the opportunity to be easily upgraded to the
next-generation FleetBroadband terminal which will be launched in late
2007. This will ultimately provide greater bandwidth and add service
capability to Blue Ocean Wireless' product offering.
Blue Ocean Wireless, together with Inmarsat, Stratos, JRC and a
leading GSM network operator, provides a dedicated global GSM service
for crew members of merchant ships. Blue Ocean Wireless' service, for
the first time, enables seafarers to use their existing mobile phones
on board vessels in deep ocean water in exactly the same way that they
do in port or on land. BOW also enables 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.
"This is a cutting-edge product, far superior to anything in the
market place" said Mr. Jun Nakazawa, Operations Manager of JRC. "JRC
is very excited by our partnership arrangements to co-provide
seafarers with an affordable entry to the world of GSM communications
at sea.."
Mr Robert Johnson, CEO of Blue Ocean Wireless, commented, "We are
delighted to announce this agreement with JRC, 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 JRC
For over 90 years, since foundation, Japan Radio Company (JRC)
continues to be one of the market leading manufacturers of navigation
and communications equipment for the merchant fleets of the world and
for small commercial and leisure craft. JRC's JUE-33 Fleet F33 has
become the standard for deep-sea ships. Having invested heavily into
research and development year-on-year, JRC's Fleet F33 reflects the
demands of enhanced connectivity, regardless of a vessel's position.
For more information, visit www.jrceurope.com