Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA) has been selected by UK-based Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines to provide end-to-end communication services for voice and data on board its fleet.

Speedcast will leverage satellite VSAT and land-based 4G/LTE connectivity to deliver communications for Fred. Olsen guests and crew on board its fleet of four cruise ships Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch — wherever they are in the world — the integration of both satellite and land-based infrastructure allows Fred. Olsen to optimize the use of its ships’ networks.

The Speedcast multi-band managed communications platform will be installed on each of Fred. Olsen’s ships, monitoring for and adopting the best fit satellite, wireless or terrestrial network. Speedcast’s Intelligent Communications Director technology will provide seamless, automatic switching between the different networks and technologies to ensure robust connectivity at all times.

Using Speedcast’s global satellite capacity infrastructure, the network will also provide reliable connectivity between Fred. Olsen’s offices and its fleet, sailing all over the globe. The Speedcast solution will include 24x7x365 support from its customer service centres, located on five continents, as well as robust monitoring tools to manage Fred. Olsen’s network proactively, ensuring the highest availability and most efficient use of satellite and 4G/LTE connectivity.

Damon Impett, the head of IT for the Fred. Olsen UK Group, noted that having access to a truly global communications network, capable of ensuring that the firm's fleet will be always connected wherever we sail, was the most compelling factor when making this   important decision, and Speedcast certainly delivers that. This also allows us to operate more efficiently between ships and onshore offices, with seamless connectivity from anywhere.