[SatNews] There are per-vessel connectivity plans included in this new program...

Stratos Global has announced the commercial availability of its Inmarsat FleetBroadband Flat Fee service plans, known as FBB Flat Fee. This new plan offers the high performance (up to 432kbps), global coverage, simplicity and reliability of Inmarsat FleetBroadband – in addition to The Stratos Advantage value-added services – all at an affordable, flat monthly price. The FBB Flat Fee plans include 10GB and 15GB per-vessel data connectivity options. If a vessel exceeds the plan’s monthly data allocation, the price will not increase – but data speeds will be reduced. The plans also include highly competitive rates for voice calls.

Shipping companies now can select from contract periods of two to four years. The four-year contract period represents the most competitive FleetBroadband commercial offering on the market today. These plans use a standard FleetBroadband 500 terminal, simplifying installation and support. FleetBroadband has become the standard in global maritime communications. Many newly built vessels, or ships that have already upgraded to FleetBroadband, are already fully equipped to utilize the service today – thereby making additional capital costs unnecessary. Stratos also offers customers the option of a three-month, paid trial period. During the trial period, customers can upgrade or downgrade their FBB Flat Fee data allocation or contract duration. The trial period allows time for Stratos and the customer to work together, to select the plan that meets the requirements of each vessel.

Stratos is the market leader in the number of FBB Flat Fee plans deployed. The plans have been deployed by Stratos for a number of its existing customers, as well as by Stratos Channel Partner Navarino Telecom for ship-management companies Grieg Shipping Group, OSM Ship Management and Ugland Marine Services, among others. FBB Flat Fee is one of several innovative Stratos broadband programs that provide shipping companies with a flexible pathway to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band service. Global Xpress, which is expected to be commercially available in 2013, will deliver speeds of up to 50Mbps. Customers contracting for FBB Flat Fee plans from Stratos can upgrade to Global Xpress without penalty. FleetBroadband from Stratos provides ships with global broadband connectivity while at sea – for email, Internet access and voice communications – ensuring optimal vessel performance, business operations and crew productivity.