Bandwidth Delivered to Cruise and Passenger Vessels Increases
Three-fold as Marlink and Intelsat continue to Build on Momentum Created
by Partnership
LUXEMBOURG & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 13, 2017--
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized
Network, powered by its leading satellite backbone, and Marlink
announced today that their partnership to deliver high throughput
satellite (HTS) services to cruise and passenger vessels using Intelsat
EpicNG has contributed to an increase in bandwidth delivered
on Marlink's Sealink VSAT service of more than 220 percent during 2016.
This growth in bandwidth enabling broadband connectivity for Marlink
cruise and passenger segment customers is more than three times larger
than what Marlink was delivering at the beginning of 2016. This has been
driven by the global services capability that Marlink offers on its
Sealink VSAT service portfolio, enabled using the Intelsat Globalized
Network, including the Intelsat EpicNG platform and
strategically located teleports around the world.
The ability to deliver a consistent, high-quality broadband experience
on Sealink VSAT to vessels, regardless of location, is becoming
increasingly important, as the cruise industry is attracting more
passengers than ever and taking them to new destinations around the
globe. Supporting this growth and changes in traffic patterns,
especially a shift to users uploading photos and video content, could
only have been supported with a global network of satellites that
includes HTS, wide beams, teleports and support teams, creating a true
differentiator.
Marlink is a long-standing Intelsat customer, with services on multiple
Intelsat satellites and the IntelsatOne terrestrial network. The
Intelsat-Marlink strategic agreement for services on the Intelsat EpicNG
platform began in 2014. Marlink is already providing services via
Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e, which combined, cover the Americas,
Caribbean, and the heavily traveled North Atlantic route, Europe, Africa
and Asia. Marlink will add coverage via Intelsat 35e when it begins
operations later in 2017, and will complete global coverage when
Horizons 3e is launched in the second half of 2018. The efficiency of
the Intelsat EpicNG service allows Marlink to push more
throughput per unit of capacity, improving economics for its customers.
The open-architecture design and backwards compatibility of Intelsat EpicNG
enables Marlink to seamlessly incorporate high-throughput services into
its network, meaning maritime customers do not have to take vessels out
of operation to perform expensive equipment upgrades.
“The surge in demand for data connectivity across the maritime sector
helped drive the creation of the partnership, and it continues to pay
immediate, measurable dividends for Marlink and Sealink VSAT customers,”
said Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink. “Working with
Intelsat, we have been able to ensure that the Sealink service, in
addition to our segment expertise, meets the rapidly growing and
evolving demands of cruise and passenger fleet operators for flexible,
global connectivity that enables guests to access the Internet and post
multimedia content to social media quickly, and in a cost-effective
manner.”
“Intelsat provides a global high-throughput infrastructure that delivers
a consistent broadband experience,” Mark Rasmussen, Vice President and
General Manager, Mobility, Intelsat, said. “Our first three Intelsat EpicNG
satellites are in orbit and our momentum indicates we are delivering on
the promise of HTS with improved performance, better economics and
simpler access. Intelsat designed Intelsat EpicNG with our
customers’ needs front and center, and Marlink’s continued growth across
numerous maritime sectors confirms our approach benefits Intelsat, our
customers and the maritime sector as a whole.”
Marlink will be exhibiting at 2017 Seatrade Cruise Global, the leading
international exhibition and conference serving the cruise industry,
which will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, March 13-16.
Supporting Resources:
About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network,
delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services
anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the
world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure,
managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable
customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network
services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people
worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity,
multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and
seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one
that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries
and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
About the Marlink / Telemar Group
Through its ownership of both Marlink and Telemar, Apax Partners has
created a Group dedicated to providing the maritime industry with an
integrated offering of broadband communications, digital solutions,
bridge electronics and on-board maintenance. The Group is led by Erik
Ceuppens as CEO.
Combining the power of these two long-term, expert organisations,
Telemar and Marlink are the world’s leading maritime communication,
digital solutions and servicing specialist covering all customer
segments at sea including: Shipping, Offshore, Cruise & Ferry, Yachting
and Fishing. The newly combined group will generate US $450 Million in
revenues with more than 800 employees worldwide serving at least 1 in 3
vessels operating globally. The group will also continue to deliver the
benefits of a digital and connected world to enterprise customers such
as energy and mining companies, humanitarian organisations, global media
and events companies.
The new Group will provide customers with unrivalled service and support
through an enhanced global footprint and worldwide sales and service
locations. A global 24/7 helpdesk, specialised competence centres, local
presence on all continents and a network of 1000 service points staffed
by highly qualified, certified service engineers, will support global
customers to operate smarter and safer.
More than 70 years’ experience combined with strong satellite network
operator and bridge electronics manufacturer partnerships enables the
group to bring the power of broadband communication, maritime bridge
technology and service excellence to customers globally, further
optimising their business operations and enabling the digital vessels
of tomorrow.
www.marlink.com
www.telemarspa.it
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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170313005949/en/
Source: Intelsat
Intelsat
Jason Bates
Media Communications Manager
+1
703-559-7044
Jason.bates@intelsat.com
or
Marlink
Knut
Natvig
Press & PR Director
Phone: +47 48 030 911