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training simulators with 3D vessel simula- tion to allow the student to have the most realistic experience possible. Each stu- dent workstation includes the Beier IVCS 2000 system and an individualized 3D simulation display. The Nautical Institute is a London based independent organization and certi- fication body for DP training for the worldwide maritime industry. PetroCom Debuts VSAT System Two years in the making, PetroCom's new Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite communication system is structured around private communication networks that guarantee around-the-clock connection speeds. Built with the newest technologies and equipment, this best-of- breed system offers customers the ability to turn bandwidth on and off, re-allocate bandwidth or schedule increased band- width as business needs change. Recently, PetroCom signed agreements to provide VSAT voice and data services for Onyx Special Services, Superior Off- shore International and Tetra Applied Technologies. Last month, Helix Energy Solutions tapped PetroCom to provide VSAT services for its offshore fleet. Multiplex VSAT communication net- works with speeds from 64 to 512K are available for fixed and stabilized applica- tions. Built around VIPERSAT Network's capacity management platform and RAD Data Communication's IP-based multi- plexers, PetroCom's system guarantees a committed information rate, prioritizes voice over data to eliminate jitter and delivers superior voice quality. PetroCom also offers fixed pricing; most mainte- nance and technical support expenses are included. PetroCom is also the first to offer add-on satellite services or ASAT services within established private net- works. A primary subscriber, at their dis- cretion, can grant third-party clients, ven- dors and service providers access to their company's private network. The sub- scriber can then choose to bill these autho- rized users for their bandwidth allocation or have PetroCom bill them directly. Software control of the PetroCom ASAT system still assures a guaranteed CIR. Stratos to Upgrade Apache in GOM Stratos Global Corp. one of the leading providers of remote communications solutions to the offshore oil and gas indus- try, announced that Apache Corporation has accepted a proposal for Stratos to pro- vide remote communications for more than 100 offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico via its recently restored microwave network. The total contract value of the five-year contract is approximately $19m. Stratos also is supplementing the microwave-based service with satellite- based backup systems at key connection points to maximize business continuity and recovery of communications in the event of disasters, such as last year's hur- ricanes. These satellite backup services are in addition to improved circuit protec- tion, additional beach crossings, increased bandwidth, true ATM transport and addi- tional redundancy that have already been added to the redesigned microwave net- work to improve reliability. Telenor Acquires MCP Telenor acquired the remaining 61.3 percent of shares in Maritime Communi- cation Partner (MCP), obtaining a 100 percent stake in the mobile operator. MCP is a supplier of mobile communication to ferries and cruise ships. The service allows passengers and crew on ferries and ships around the world to make and receive calls and SMS using their mobile telephones. MCP offers GSM coverage in international waters. Through MCP, Telenor plans to develop services in the interface between GSM and satellite. Telenor will help develop MCP through expanding the company's existing product range and assist the company in penetrat- ing new markets. NavSci Signs Patent Agreement with ORNL Navigational Sciences Inc. has signed a new and expanded patent license agree- ment with the U.S. Department of Ener- gy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for advanced wireless communi- cations technology. The license agreement includes nine patents related to several advanced communications methods, including recently developed hybrid spread spectrum (HSS) wireless technolo- gy that transmits information and data more effectively and securely than previ- ous generations of wireless technology, particularly in highly congested and obstructed areas where reception is diffi- cult. The technology will be marketed under NavSci's Wave Additive Radio Pro- cessing (WARP Wireless) brand name for next generation radio frequency identifi- cation to track shipping containers and mobile assets. The WARP products track and monitor inventory, assets and valu- able cargo for industries including ship- ping, private security and governmental agencies. Developed at ORNL in cooper- ation with NavSci, the new technology has the ability to transmit data around and through barriers that previously hampered reception when tracking assets. WARP 1.0 is the first in the WARP suite of data tracking products and is currently available; the second-generation WARP 2.0 products will be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. WARP 3.0, the first prod- uct to utilize the new HSS technology developed at ORNL, is expected to be released in 2007. NavSci also is the sponsor of a Cooper- ative Research and Development Agree- ment (CRADA) with ORNL to continue groundbreaking work in wireless technol- ogy and sensor telemetry Boeing Expands Maritime Satellite Broadband Service Connexion by Boeing, the satellite broadband Internet service for aircraft, is expanding its service for ships. Boeing has signed two-year leases with interna- tional satellite operator Intelsat for space on two of its satellites, one above the Atlantic Ocean and one above the Indian Ocean. The satellite capacity will be used to provide broadband Internet connections to customers in those regions, it said. Connexion by Boeing's satellite capaci- ty has been largely focused to date on major air routes of its customer airlines. Boeing started talking about a maritime service in 2004 and in the middle of 2005 it announced a deal with Teekay Shipping Corp. to install Connexion by Boeing on 50 of the company's ships. Teekay, in Van- couver, Canada, operates a fleet of 140 tankers and transports more than 10 per- cent of the world's seaborne oil. August, 2006 • MarineNews 27 Communication monitoring and measurement solutions web www.imesinc.com intl 1 909 626 8316 tel 888 998 3787 domestic and worldwide locations • suitable for use in hazardous and harsh environments provides reliable, high accuracy information telemetry and cabled systems for custom and standard application AUGUST MN2006 4(25-32).qxd 8/3/2006 3:39 PM Page 27
