Newsroom
Stratos Introduces GSM Oceanwide
--GSM Oceanwide™ is the first service providing full GSM capabilities in deep ocean waters, using Inmarsat satellites--
Bethesda, Maryland (November 15, 2007) - Stratos Global Corp. (TSX: SGB), the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today introduced GSM Oceanwide, a dedicated, global GSM service for crewmembers and officers of merchant ships. GSM Oceanwide is the first service - using Inmarsat satellites - enabling seafarers to utilize their existing mobile phones onboard merchant ships in deep ocean waters, exactly as they would in port or on land.
GSM Oceanwide, available now worldwide, is ideally suited as a crew-calling solution, enabling users to receive and place calls and send SMS messages via their own GSM number. The service also provides reliable voice connectivity, enabling ship managers to quickly contact merchant maritime officers. In the future, Stratos expects to expand the capabilities of GSM Oceanwide to include email and web browsing.
Stratos is the largest distributor of Inmarsat satellite services to the global maritime industry. GSM Oceanwide is the latest addition to Stratos' growing portfolio of maritime communications services, all of which are designed to enhance maritime business productivity and improve shipboard life for crewmembers. Over the past year, Stratos completed a successful trial program of GSM Oceanwide onboard two large container vessels managed by its customers.
Stratos developed GSM Oceanwide in partnership with Blue Ocean Wireless (BOW). The service uses an onboard pico cell, gateway and two Inmarsat F33 terminals. The F33 terminals can be upgraded to the new Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminal. BOW will deploy the hardware infrastructure on the customers' vessels for an affordable monthly fee - without the need for upfront capital expenditure. Crewmembers and officers pay a per-minute charge for the service, as part of a pre-paid solution.
"As the latest addition to our expanding selection of maritime communications solutions, we expect that GSM Oceanwide will receive an enthusiastic response from the 1.2 million seafarers worldwide," said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm.
He added, "We expect ship owners and ship managers will derive great benefit from this flexible new service, which is available without a large upfront cost. For a low monthly fee, GSM Oceanwide provides a valuable tool that can help expedite official business communications and also serve as crew-communications solution to help recruit and retain qualified seafarers."
Maritime customers can secure more information on GSM Oceanwide by calling their Stratos account manager or by visiting www.stratosglobal.com/gsmoceanwide/.
About Blue Ocean Wireless
Blue Ocean Wireless is an Irish company focused on expanding communication capability in the merchant maritime sector. The Company's service portfolio includes global GSM connectivity for merchant seafarers operating in deep ocean waters. For more information, please visit www.blueoceanwireless.com.
About Stratos
Stratos is the world's trusted leader for vital communications. Stratos offers the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. More than 20,000 customers use Stratos products and industry-leading value-added services to optimize communications performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users on seven continents and across the world's oceans. Stratos is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc. For more information, visit www.stratosglobal.com.
For additional information :
Carla Riggs
Director, Corporate Communications
+1 709 748 4857
carla.riggs@stratosglobal.com