PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2007
FIRST SAILOR FLEETBROADBAND SHIPMENT LEAVES THRANE & THRANE
Thrane & Thrane leads the way in the FleetBroadband terminals rollout
Thrane & Thrane announces today, 7th December 2007, that shipment of the first
type approved SAILOR FleetBroadband terminals is on its way to customers around
the world. This is a landmark moment for the leading marine satcoms provider as
it follows extensive development of the ground based infrastructure with
Inmarsat to make FleetBroadband a possibility for the entire maritime market.
Inmarsat FleetBroadband went live on 19th November 2007. Thrane & Thrane has
been marketing FleetBroadband globally and taking orders for its SAILOR
FleetBroadband terminals, the SAILOR 250 FleetBroadband and SAILOR 500
FleetBroadband since September this year and is expecting to be the first
manufacturer with systems online with type approved hardware.
The first shipment consists of SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband terminals intended for
use on board commercial and fishing vessels and large private vessels.
Casper Jensen, Manager, Thrane & Thrane Maritime Global Marketing, said of the
build up to the highly anticipated FleetBroadband launch: "Business has been
very promising. Interest has come from across the board. The merchant market
can be slow on picking up new services, but not this time. They've been pretty
keen on bringing these products on board."
SAILOR FleetBroadband represents a quantum leap in terms of marine satellite
transmission speeds. SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband provides speeds up to 432 kbps,
which is four times faster than current generation Fleet77 systems. It utilizes
an antenna similar to the mid-range Fleet55, with a diameter of less than 60cm,
weighing just 16 kg.
The SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband will provide simultaneous access to voice and
high-speed data services on a global basis when Inmarsat's third satellite is
in operation. This will totally transform data access at sea. ECDIS
information, online weather data, route-planning and crew calling can all be
undertaken at the same time, greatly increasing information efficiency on
board. The broadband speeds also enable compatibility with a wide range of
off-the-shelf IP applications and applications such as remote maintenance are
expected to become less costly and far more efficient.
“FleetBroadband is a communications revolution that has the power to improve
almost every aspect of life and business at sea, which is why we are proud to
have alongside Inmarsat, played such a an integral part in its development”
comments Walther Thygesen, CEO, Thrane & Thrane. “We have used this experience
to make sure that our new SAILOR terminals are ready for market first and that
they harness the inherent power of the FleetBroadband system.”
For further information, please contact:
John Alexandersen, VP Corporate Communications, Thrane & Thrane A/S
Tel: +45 39 55 88 35 or + 45 22 72 38 22
Casper Jensen, Manager Maritime Global Marketing, Thrane & Thrane A/S
Tel: +45 39 55 88 15 or + 45 22 72 38 15
www.thrane.com
Press materials, images etc:
Saul Trewern, Account Director, Saltwater Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
Email: saul.trewern@saltwatercoms.com
www.saltwaterpr.com
About Thrane & Thrane
Thrane & Thrane is the world's leading manufacturer of equipment and systems
for global mobile communication based on sophisticated satellite and radio
technology. Since its incorporation in 1981, the company has established a
strong position within global mobile communication based on the Inmarsat
system, and today Thrane & Thrane provides equipment for maritime, land-based
and aeronautical use. The company's products are sold throughout the world
under the brands Thrane & Thrane, EXPLORER® and SAILOR®, through distributors
and partners and as OEM products. The company is listed on the OMX Nordic
Exchange in Copenhagen. More information about Thrane & Thrane at:
www.thrane.com.
