SINGAPORE Telecommunications (SingTel) has signed a multi-million dollar deal to install a ground satellite communications system for Danish shipping line Torm Shipping.
The Global Maritime Very Small Aperture Terminal (GMVSAT) service, when installed, will provide Torm's fleet of 100 ships a high-speed broadband at sea 'without the need for time-consuming re-configurations of satellite communications equipment', SingTel announced on Wednesday.
VSAT are are small two-way satellites with a dish antenna of about three meters or less.
Services available with this network include email, access to Torm's corporate intranet and voice communications.
Users will also be able to make ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore voice calls using state-of-the-art digital phones that will be installed on each vessel.
Torm operates tankers and bulk carriers. The new system, said Torm's executive vice president Claus Usen Jensen, 'opens the doors for the future ? we can now ensure better communication between vessel and office, but not least between vessel and home'.
The multi-million dollar deal, said SingTel executive vice president for business, Mr Bill Chang, 'demonstrates Torm Shipping's confidence in SingTel ... we are excited to be a partner in helping them achieve their goals'.
