[SatNews] Satellite communications providers NSSL and Telemar Scandinavia have announced the June extension of their DVBS2-RCS broadband network. Stretching to new areas of the globe, the coverage extensions are coupled with a unique beam handover capability, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across the world’s major sailing routes.

This significant service addition is part of NSSL and Telemar Scandinavia’s continuing investment in their respective CruiseIP and SeaCall services. This investment means that, for the very first time, commercial shipping and leisure vessels travelling across numerous Ku-band coverage beams will be uninterrupted in their communications services. Although other operators may eventually be able to offer their customers similar coverage areas, it is the automatic beam handover capability which ensures seamless DVBS2 coverage without the need for hardware changes or significant manual intervention.

The new Cyprus hub means that customers will now be able to enjoy up to 4Mb download speeds across two new major maritime routes; the Indian Ocean region including the coasts of India, Thailand, China and the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. This news follows quickly on the heels of the additional Atlantic Ocean, coastlines of Africa & South American, and the North Pacific Ocean coverage which came into service during 2009 and early 2010 and ensure that NSSL and Telemar Scandinavia can offer its maritime customers near-global seamless coverage.