Ancylus, Net1 create hybrid broadband solution for Scandinavian, Nordic maritime markets

The recently-formed strategic partnership of Ancylus AB and Net1 plans to deliver a cost-effective hybrid solution of wireless and satellite broadband services to the maritime markets in Scandinavia and Nordic waters.

Net1's wireless broadband will deliver high speed Internet to ships docked in port or operating in Nordic waters up to 60 nautical miles from the shores of Scandinavia. Ancylus will provide satellite broadband connectivity once the ships move outside the range of its partner's wireless network.

The hybrid broadband solution is optimized for marine activities like fishing, ferries, offshore oil and gas, short sea trade, and yachts.

In the wake of the worldwide economic downturn, the shipping industry seeks to lower costs wherever it can. Yet it is also becoming more and more reliant on high speed Internet and voice services for business and leisure purposes. The hybrid solution from Ancylus and Net1 will significantly lower the costs of communication while also increasing data speeds thanks to its combination of wireless and satellite broadband connectivity. 

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AT&T upgrades 4G LTE cell sites in Anchorage

AT&T upgraded several cell sites located near Fort Richardson, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Eagle River, and Fairview in Anchorage, Alaska. The improved coverage of Anchorage's 4G LTE network is part of AT&T's ongoing 4G LTE rollout.

The AT&T 4G LTE network made its debut in Anchorage back in September 2012. With this recent series of upgrades, the US communications holding company continues to invest in expanding its network and rolling out its new services.

According to reports, AT&T has spent over $115 billion on both operations and the acquisition of spectrum and other assets to improve the Company's wireless and wired networks during the last five years. Its 4G network currently covers 288 million people and will continue to improve. 

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GlobeCast extends capacity agreement with SES in the Americas

Satellite Services and GlobeCast recently announced that they have renewed their deal for the use of transponders on the AMC-1 and NSS-806 satellites of SES.

Because this capacity allows international broadcasters to reach cable headends in both Latin America and North America, GlobeCast will carry on using two transponders of 36 MHz on the AMC-1 satellite at 103 degrees West, and one transponder of 36 MHz on the NSS-806 satellite at the 319.5 degrees East orbital slot.

In a company statement, GlobeCast spokesperson Philippe Rouxel said, “North America remains the largest broadcast market in the world, and Latin America is a critically important element in our international broadcast strategy. For this reason, GlobeCast is pleased to continue its partnership with SES to provide our broadcast clients with optimal coverage of the Americas at a prime orbital location.”

Echoing the sentiments of Rouxel, SES Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand Kayser said, "We are honoured that GlobeCast has decided to renew our ongoing partnership. The latest capacity agreements illustrate GlobeCast's and SES' shared commitment to deliver best-in-class broadcasting services across Latin America and North America.”

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Globe Wireless, Arimar team up in Italy, Mediterranean markets

Arimar announced that it has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Globe Wireless to deliver the latter company's products and services to maritime vessels flying the flag of Italy.

The deal will open up the Italian maritime market to the two partner companies. Arimar will serve as the billing agency for Italian flagged vessels equipped with Globe Wireless systems. The two companies will be able to offer improved communication to maritime customers and industries in Italy and the Mediterranean region.

With Arimar's significant knowledge of the Italian and Mediterranean maritime market, Globe Wireless will be able to offer improved services and more innovative solutions to their joint customers.

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Broadcom secures set-top boxes with CRI technology

Broadcom announced that its portfolio of set-top box (STB) platforms are now protected by differential power analysis (DPA) countermeasures developed by Cryptography Research (CRI.)

CRI has licensed Broadcom to deploy the former's advanced security measures. CRI technology lets broadcasters expand their services and premium content delivery methods for multi-screen and Internet-based TV experiences while also ensuring their security.

Broadcom now offers CRI-developed DPA and developed countermeasures that will defend sensitive systems such as bank cards, mobile devices, and pay television systems against attacks. The Company is further offering more than 60 patents that provide countermeasures against DPA attacks.

According to Paul Kocher, the President and Chief Scientist of CRI, Broadcom is the first set-top box SoC manufacturer to offer DPA countermeasure technologies in its solutions. Broadcom will play an important role in the protection of pay-TV ecosystems and the delivery of quality content to homes across the world.

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Station711, Inmarsat integrate Crewtalk, FleetBroadband Multi-Voice into one solution

Station711 and Inmarsat have integrated the former's Crewtalk complete onboard voice gateway solution with the latter's FleetBroadband Multi-voice service to create a new communications solution.

The combination of an onboard PBX integrated with a crew prepaid solution boosts the accessibility and efficiency of operational and personal communications by allowing users to access up to nine voice calls at the same time.

The Crewtalk solution was created by Station711 to extend commercial, operational, and pre-paid voice services. It can also allocate different profiles per user and onboard extensions, which increases the flexibility of communications.

The combined Station 711-Inmarsat solution enhances the efficiency of marine vessels by way of the Multi-voice capability as well as the control and management of telephony usage and costs. The seamlessly integrated solution makes sure to route all crew phone calls through the prepaid system from either the PBX extensions or the dedicated voice lines.

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