MTN scores new deals for VSAT services with luxury cruise operators

VSAT satellite service provider MTN Satellite Communications recently signed new contracts and activities with luxury cruise operators Paul Gauguin Cruises, The World, and Windstar Cruises to supply a series of VSAT services.

Aside from VSAT, Florida-based MTN will also provide data, Internet, voice, news, entertainment and financial services to customers, with the goal of developing overall business operations and guarantee the satisfaction of passengers and crew welfare initiatives.

“Our team at MTN recognizes that no two customers are alike and it is our job to develop communication solutions that not only meet, but exceed their unique communications requirements,” MTN Vice President and General Manager Brent Horwitz said in a statement. “The fact that these prestigious cruise lines chose to use MTN for delivery to customers who demand only the best is a testament to our ability to lead market innovation when it comes to high-quality, reliable maritime connectivity solutions.”

Financial information of the contracts were not revealed.

MTN signs new VSAT service contracts with luxury cruise operators

Windstar Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and The World have turned to MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) for a wide variety of VSAT services that will be deployed aboard their cruise ships.

The three luxury cruise operators entered new contracts with MTN that called for voice, data, Internet, news, entertainment, and financial services for cruise ship passengers in addition to the usual VSAT coverage and services.

MTN services are expected to improve overall business operations, make sure passengers are satisfied, and provide the crew with welfare initiatives.

MTN did not disclose the financial details of its new VSAT contracts with Windstar Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and The World.

MTN, WMS deploy VSAT, wireless solution on Carnival Breeze cruise ship

Carnival Breeze, the newest ship of Carnival Cruise Lines, will be able to provide its passengers and crew with wireless broadband services through a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system installed by MTN Satellite Communications.

For this project, MTN partnered with cellular service provider Wireless Maritime Services (WMS.) WMS possesses extensive experience with the unique wireless communications needs of the cruise line and ferry industry.

The combined telecommunications skills of MTN and WMS allowed Carnival Breeze to provide a "shore-side" satellite and wireless broadband experience to its passengers and crew during its first month of operation. MTN provided an Internet Café solution that could be accessed by mobile devices such as fixed PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, allowing all aboard to stay connected with the wider world while enjoying the sea.

The Carnival Breeze cruise ship can carry more than 4,000 passengers and nearly 1,800 crew members.

Brent Horwitz, SVP and GM for MTN Cruise and Ferry Services, stated that the number of Internet and mobile minutes used during the maiden voyage of the Carnival Breeze today's society placed great importance on staying connected even while on vacation. Mr. Horwitz said that there is a significant need for the ability to surf the Internet and access data through personal mobile devices even at sea.

MTN Satellite Communications recently announced that MTN Worldwide TV is now available for government vessels. According to MTN, MTV Worldwide TV will allow seafarers to watch a wide selection of news and entertainment programming drawn from international television networks.