Smart is First PHL Telco to Bring GSM Connectivity at Sea
Manila, Philippines - 18th May 2011 – Smart’s Global Access Group Head Tina Mariano (right) leads the testing of Smart Link GSM service aboard MV Jupiter Leader. With her is ship captain Candelario Lu with the Smart Link-THISS VSAT antenna that provides connectivity to the crew’s GSM mobile phones.
After being the Philippines’ pioneer in maritime satellite communications, leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is set to embark on another first by bringing full real GSM mobile phone connectivity at sea.
Through its satellite phone service Smart Link, the country’s first and only service of its kind, Smart will soon enable Filipino seafarers, who comprise majority of the world’s global maritime workforce, to use GSM mobile phones to make calls and send text messages, even while on board ships sailing in the middle of the world’s oceans.
“We are very proud to be the only wireless communications service provider in the country with the power, capability and experience to fully serve the needs of the maritime industry,” said Orlando B. Vea, Smart’s Chief Wireless Advisor. “Through Smart Link’s GSM service, we wish to provide not only Filipino maritime professionals, but also those from other countries, seamless GSM communications, from land to sea,” he added. Smart Link GSM service is made possible through the use of the THISS 60cm C-Band Marine satellite VSAT system which won the Outstanding Maritime R&D and Technology Award in this year’s Singapore International Maritime Awards. Developed by THISS Technologies Pte Ltd in conjunction with their industry partners, this satellite terminal which is the most compact in its category will allow Smart Link to deliver mobile phone services at affordable rates to seafarers on board marine vessels. Smart’s partnership with THISS Technologies will grant Smart the exclusive rights to use the specially developed system in the maritime market for GSM services.”
“A lot of research and hard work was put into this project in order to give our seafarers the affordable and reliable communication experience they got from the existing Smart Link satellite terminals,” said Tina Mariano, head of Smart’s Global Access Group handling the satellite phone service. “With our years of experience in the maritime field and proven service to the seafarers, we, together with THISS Technologies have developed this new innovation particularly designed for the seafaring industry’s unique and challenging needs,” Mariano said.
Smart Link revolutionized the satellite phone business when it offered a prepaid, shared terminal scheme, lowering subscription, maintenance and call costs for its seafaring subscribers.
“Years ago, we made it possible for seafarers to gain easy and affordable access to satellite communications, something that’s perceived to be very costly. Now, we’re empowering seafarers to do even more by letting them use regular GSM phones as if they never left land, at affordable rates,” added Mariano.
Smart Link, with its current shared satellite terminals on-board vessels currently serves seafarers sailing the seas of Asia-Pacific, Indian ocean, Middle East, Africa plus some parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. With the launch of Smart Link GSM service, Smart will be able to provide communication to the entire maritime force around the
Contact:
Nicholas Cirillo
Chief Operating Officer
THISS Technologies Pte Ltd
Phone: +65 6273 1285
Email: ncirillo@thiss.net
