[SatNews] Stratos Global has been selected by The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) to deploy the Inmarsat FleetBroadband satellite communications service as part of an integrated maritime communications solution that will help the operator increase productivity and control costs.

Stratos was selected by SCI through Stratos Channel Partner Station Satcom. Based in Mumbai, SCI is India’s largest shipping company, with an expansive fleet that operates globally and includes tankers, bulk carriers, liners and supply vessels. In addition to deployment of FleetBroadband on the entire fleet of 156 ships owned and managed by SCI, the Stratos solution includes: upgrades to AmosConnect 8, Stratos’ sophisticated new maritime communications software; upgrades to crew communications via Stratos’ new AmosConnect CommCenter application; and deployment of Blue Ocean Wireless (BOW) GSM service.

BOW GSM Service is a dedicated GSM service for crewmembers and officers of merchant ships. It is the first service – using Inmarsat satellites – enabling seafarers to use their existing mobile phones onboard merchant ships in deep ocean waters, exactly as they would in port or on land. AmosConnect 8 integrates vessel and shore-based office applications. It is an easy-to-use, yet highly sophisticated application that seamlessly integrates email, fax, telex, GSM text, interoffice communication, and access for mobile personnel into a single messaging system. The AmosConnect 8 portal brings all ship-relevant data to one central information page. AmosConnect Crew CommCenter improves crew welfare by enabling personnel at sea to stay in contact with home via calling, private email and SMS at affordable, flat global rates. The solution’s high functionality helps retain qualified seafarers. The application features an easily manageable, separate account for each crewmember. SCI expects to deploy the Internet café functionality of the latest version of AmosConnect Crew CommCenter later this year. These applications and others comprise The Stratos Advantage, a range of value-added services that provides ship managers with optimal communications performance and cost efficiency.