Globe Wireless, USA, last week announced upgrade programmes to customers going from either Inmarsat Fleet 33s or Inmarsat-Bs to the Iridium OpenPort.
Customers who are deactiviating a Fleet 33 or Inmarsat-B terminal by September 30, 2009, are eligible to receive a free Iridium OpenPort terminal.
"Inmarsat has changed the direction of Fleet 33 with the adjustments to the satellite systems," said Frank Coles, President & CEO of Globe Wireless.
"The original plans to provide a global service for Fleet 33 changed, and the system will remain spot beam. More importantly, the cost of data on Fleet 33 using both MPDS and the 9.6Kbps data channel is very expensive. Iridium OpenPort voice is half the cost, and data can be up to one fifth the cost of Fleet 33."
Iridium OpenPort provides three voice lines and a 128Kbps data connection. Three voice calls and data can operate simultaneously. Crew calling services are available 24 hours a day, and are 50 percent lower than Inmarsat crew calling rates. The Iridium OpenPort is a better option for GSM calling and makes the other options such as dual F33 used by some competitors antiquated. Fleet Broadband is also an expensive option for crew services.
"Fleet 33 terminals are relatively new, however, the ongoing operating costs of these terminals will result in continuous high monthly communications costs, with severe functional limitations," Mr Coles added. "Iridium OpenPort can greatly reduce costs, and provides a flexible and powerful communications infrastructure to accommodate new requirements."
Meanwhile, Mr Coles also said that while Inmarsat-B was an extremely reliable system for ship communications, Inmarsat-B systems were becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and replacement parts were more difficult to acquire.
"The voice and data rates on B are high, even if the customer is using high
speed data connections," said Mr Coles. "Iridium OpenPort voice is half the cost, and data can be up to one fifth the cost of B. Combining the savings on repair costs and airtime, we believe owners can save between US$5,000 and US$10,000 per year."
Mr Coles said that if customers used the Inmarsat-B for the ship's GMDSS compliance, Globe Wireless could bundle an Inmarsat-C GMDSS terminal into the package.
"Also upgrading the Inmarsat B with an OpenPort will enable the customers to take advantage of the new GlobeMobile GSM solution for crew calling," Mr Coles said.
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