Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA], today announced that France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications has been selected as the first sales associate to offer the Connexion by Boeing maritime high-speed connectivity service to the commercial shipping industry.
Connexion by Boeing is the first satellite-based, high-speed Internet system which allows transoceanic maritime vessels access to information they need at speeds significantly higher than those of existing maritime communications systems. The service provides data rates up to 256 kbps from the vessel to the satellite and data rates up to 5 mbps from the satellite to the vessel. The high data rate enables multiple, simultaneous maritime users to access the Internet, corporate intranet, and e-mail, as well as obtain additional information for vessel management such as weather, routing and port information.
Connexion by Boeing's maritime service offers 2,000 minutes of high-speed data connectivity, 100 minutes of voice service, and access to the Connexion by Boeing global live television lineup for $2,800 per month per ship, inclusive of equipment.
France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications will leverage its strong sales network to supply maritime companies around the world with the Connexion by Boeing solution. France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications will begin offering the Connexion by Boeing maritime service immediately.
"We are gratified to be bringing to the maritime industry the advantages of innovative high-speed connectivity which Connexion by Boeing pioneered and brought to the aviation and aerospace market," said Sean Schwinn, director of Connexion by Boeing's maritime business. "It is an exciting time for Connexion by Boeing and we are pleased to have France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications join us as our first maritime sales associate. Their global presence and reputation for innovation is a perfect complement to our global, high speed, and affordable service."
"We are delighted to further strengthen our wide range of mobile satcom services for high-end users, an essential factor in catering for the varied needs of maritime professionals," said Erik Ceuppens, CEO of France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications. "I am convinced that the close ties we have built internationally, combined with our solid experience in the maritime sector will allow us to match end users' needs for an innovative broadband solution."
The announcement of the first Connexion by Boeing maritime sales associate follows an eventful year in 2005 for the Connexion by Boeing maritime offering, which saw the unveiling of pricing for the maritime service, as well as an agreement with Teekay Shipping to be the launch customer for the maritime service.