Stratos Global has announced that it is doubling the high-speed data capabilities of its Inmarsat Fleet F77 maritime communications service up to 128 kbps.
As the industry leader, Stratos also plans to support the enhanced Fleet F77 128 kbps service option in all ocean regions covered by Inmarsat’s satellite services, including the Pacific Ocean region where other providers may not be planning to provide the enhanced service.
Fleet F77 is the latest-generation Inmarsat maritime communications solution, ideally suited to larger vessels, such as merchant and cargo ships, tankers, and super yachts, which require a complete office at sea.
Fleet F77 provides a single, integrated platform to support both dedicated, high-speed ISDN and always-on mobile packet data service (MPDS), as well as voice and Group 3 and Group 4 fax services.
With Fleet F77 ISDN service increased from 64 kbps to 128 kbps, vessel operators will now have a more efficient and cost-effective option to support bandwidth-intensive data applications, such as video conferencing and large file transfers, as well as phone and e-mail service for ship crews.
“Stratos is pleased to announce that it will offer enhanced Fleet F77 128 kbps ISDN service on a global scale, including vessels operating in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Leigh Puddester, chief marketing officer for Stratos.
“As the global leader in Inmarsat services and Inmarsat crew calling services, we understand the benefits that the improved speed and cost savings of a dedicated 128 kbps channel will provide for high-end Fleet F77 users.”
In most cases, current Fleet F77 users can take advantage of the enhanced 128 kbps ISDN service through a software upgrade. No equipment changes are required.
Enhanced 128 kbps Fleet F77 ISDN service from Stratos is scheduled to be available in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions by the end of the first quarter of 2005, and in the Pacific Ocean region in April 2005.
