Bringing Broadband Connection to Mobile Offices
Sailing is a tough and arduous job, and in previous years, a ship was like a floating prison. Before the advent of satellite communications, a ship leaving port would be cut-off from families and loved ones. Months spent at sea were similar to an imprisonment period devoid of communications or entertainment. However, this has changed with MTN Satellite Communications’ reliable, global VSAT satellite systems designed specifically for the maritime industry.
Founded over 20 years ago, MTN was the first to install stabilized VSAT antennas on vessels at sea, creating a fundamental change in communications that positively impacted ship operations and crew satisfaction. As the pioneer and industry leader in maritime VSAT technology, MTN allows ships traveling the far reaches of the globe to virtually become “offices at sea” equipped with all the modern communications technologies typically found in a land-based office.
MTN Satellite Communications serves over 500 maritime vessels worldwide, including commercial ships, cruise ships, private yachts, ferries, government and military vessels, and offshore drilling and production sites. We provide a broad array of integrated turnkey services to give shipping companies, its vessels and crew more ways to stay connected to the people and information they care about, no matter how harsh or remote the environment.
Through the power of our “Always On – Always Available” global VSAT satellite communications network,we continue to pursue our mission of providing the best value, global and multi-regional satellite communications solution to effectively blur the lines between ship and shore.
The following are some of the pioneering “firsts” by MTN Satellite Communications:
- 1986, 1st Live TV Broadcast at Sea.
- 1991, 1st to deploy stabilized VSAT platform for commercial use.
- 1998, 1st Internet Café on ships.
- 2000, 1st to provide Cisco VoIP to ships.
- 2001, 1st to provide ShipTracker™ and a web portal to customers.
- 2002, 1st Global C-Band iDirect Maritime Network.
- 2003, 1st Live TV Broadcast from a moving truck for NBC News in Iraq.
- 2004, 1st to provide GSM and CDMA cellular service to ships.
- 2005, 1st IPTV MPEG4 Multicast to ships at sea.
- 2008, 1st to provide Live TV broadcast with stabilized antenna from a moving train.
Always-On Communication Services for Ship and Crew
While alternative satellite broadband solutions are available for ships, those offerings are usually charged on a pay-per-use basis. With the increase in data usage, pay-per-use can result in very high and unpredictable usage costs, which hinders the usage of the maritime broadband system and at the expense of crew welfare. However, with MTN, companies benefit from the consistent quality and reliability of our state-of-the-art technology, global VSAT satellite networks, and predictable fixed monthly fees. As market leaders in offering best value “always on” solutions, we make it easy to extend shore-side networks to ships. With our VSAT services, ships can regularly access the Internet onboard, implement operational efficiencies, offer distance learning to train crew, and provide new services to retain them.
And we offer a broad array of affordable, flexible and convenient quality of life services for crew members to keep them happy and more productive.
Our always-on maritime VSAT communication services include:
- Cost-effective guaranteed VSAT bandwidth
- Inmarsat integration
- Iridium integration
- Internet access
- VoIP
- Voice services
- Remote IT management
- Global vessel tracking
- Bandwidth optimization
- Real-time video capabilities
- Managed communication and IT services such as VPN
- Reasonably priced crew phone calls using our OceanPhone® stored value calling plans
- Direct payroll deposit for crew using our OceanPay® service
- OceanNews®, a selection of over 1,000 newspapers from around the world delivered directly to crew at sea
MTN DirectNet Technology
MTN offers a true global network with its DirectNet technology to support any customer’s communication needs.DirectNet employs state-of-the-art Cisco and iDirect TDM/TDMA technology to deliver voice, data and Internet via satellite. Each customer has access to a common bi-directional satellite circuit. The DirectNet network architecture allows for bi-directional burstability for data and Internet services and is beneficial for more upstream intensive applications.
The benefits of our DirectNet network include:
- Uncontended Committed Information Rate (CIR)
- Maximum Information Rate (MIR) for burstability
- Bandwidth-on-Demand
- TCP acceleration to enhance performance and mitigate latency
- Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities
- Automatic Beam Switching (ABS)
With our proven, world-class solution, customers always get what they pay for. Specifically, your dedicated bandwidth is guaranteed with a hard-coded Committed Information Rate (CIR) that establishes a bandwidth “floor” and the ability to burst to higher rates as required to meet your business needs.
Moreover, customers benefit in many ways by having access to a network that is not oversubscribed with users competing for capacity. As a result, the customer experience is consistent. MTN regularly increases the bandwidth pools on each satellite in proportion to new commitments or to meet growth projections.
Global VSAT Satellite Networks
As customers’ continue to conduct business in remote locations, they require reliable data networks. That’s why over 500 vessels rely on the expertise of MTN in maritime VSAT satellite communications. MTN’s secure network infrastructure consists of earth stations and points of presence (POPs) strategically located across the world. MTN has specifically chosen earth stations that are located in areas unlikely to incur outages due to natural disasters. These facilities are interconnected through our extensive terrestrial network backbone offering numerous connectivity options for our customer’s voice, data, and Internet requirements. Each earth station is equipped with a full complement of redundant equipment and backup systems. MTN also has the capability to restore connectivity to a facility via satellite.
Our IP backbone is both resilient and diversified, utilizing redundant, tier-one fiber providers on vital network segments and Internet based VPN’s (Virtual Private Networks) as backup. All major POPs are equipped with redundant core routers, UPS/generator backup, and VPN capabilities.
MTN VSAT Equipment
MTN offers equipment and services that allow users to have cost-effective, flexible and reliable broadband network systems at sea or on land. Our always-on VSAT (very small aperture terminal) connection provides unlimited data for a predictable, fixed monthly fee. And we provide a reliable voice and data network to help customers monitor and control their assets. VSAT can transmit critical information to and from remote sites where other communication options are neither available nor cost-effective.
Global C-Band VSAT
Our global C-Band VSAT systems, stabilized and fixed site, are robust enough for large bandwidth demands, provide extensive communications and data capabilities, and give customers the freedom to circle the globe. In remote locations at sea, global VSAT systems from MTN Satellite Communications are used by commercial ships, offshore energy vessels, cruise ships, the government and military, large yachts and other maritime customers.
MTN’s stabilized VSAT systems are designed to withstand tough marine conditions by adjusting position and maintaining a lock on the satellite, thus allowing for the ship’s motion and turning.
Communication coverage options include global or regional C-Band. Our global C-Band option offers the most expansive coverage needed by any customer traveling the far reaches of the world. And our regional C-Band coverage area offers extensive, but not quite global, connectivity.
Near Global Ku-Band VSAT
MTN’s near global Ku-Band VSAT systems offer the reliability of satellite communications that were previously available only to customers with large data and voice requirements. Our Ku-Band VSAT system can be used at an affordable price with the same high quality, crystal clear voice and real-time data capabilities. Applications include voice, data, Internet, VoIP, and corporate intranets and extranets. Our extensive near global Ku-Band coverage area makes it easy to travel the globe and stay in touch.
Like our global C-Band systems, Ku-Band systems are both stabilized and fixed. Stabilized systems are designed for rugged maritime conditions to adjust position and maintain a satellite lock when the ship moves and turns. Available in 0.85 M – 1.5 M, the near global Ku-Band VSAT system is an excellent choice for commercial shipping vessels, bulkers, offshore support vessels, yachts and other vessels where C-Band systems are impractical due to size and weight.
Our fixed site equipment offers a solution to remote areas where communications are otherwise unreliable or unavailable. Fixed site equipment can be used for applications such as disaster recovery, remote construction, or mining locations providing temporary, broadband communications.
Be in the Middle of Nowhere. And at the Center of Everything.™
MTN Satellite Communications’ customers depend on VSAT systems that run reliably, are stabilized for rugged maritime conditions and allow users to have cost-effective and flexible broadband network systems at sea. We put our customers at the center of everything, even in the middle of nowhere.
MTN offices are located worldwide, including Singapore, Hamburg, Germany, Southampton, U.K., Athens, Greece, Paris, France, Houston, Texas and Seattle, Washington.
