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tem automatically tunes the radio to the optimal frequency to route e-mail and download forecast information so it is waiting on a PC, much like a land-based system. Available in any combination of

Satellite. Cellular GSM and HF. exter- nally, SeaWave Integrator 3.0 can sup- port Inmarsat B, Fleet 77 & 55. with oth- ers slated to be supported shortly.

SeaWave Integrator also employs Least

Cost Routing (LCR) technology to auto- matically find the least expensive means to send and receive data. Ship location, signal quality, available mediums, mes- sage size and other factors all play a role in LCR. SeaWave makes it easy to bill for usage, since traffic is measured for each user as it passes through the

Integrator. The end result is a consoli- dated and easy-to-read hotel-style invoice. SeaWave can also reconcile the charges from different satellite carriers into an advanced billing system.

Subscribers can either have a direct billing relationship with SeaWave, or the vessel can cover the cost of the account. Users can sign up for SeaWave service while onboard and underway with little involvement from the ship's key operator. SeaWave is also a launch- ing pad for value added applications such as STAR (Ship Tracking and

Reporting). Using STAR software, users may track their vessel or fleet at prede- termined time intervals, read reports filed from the ships along with their

GPS coordinates and even overlay weather information to impart condi- tions the captain encountered while at sea. Time slice animations show a ships course and can be compared to an intended course.

STAR is currently available at no charge to all SeaWave customers in mySeaWave, a land based portal provid- ing worldwide access to e-mail, track- ing, weather, news and billing informa- tion. mySeaWave also provides users a means to check usage, past invoices, change payment method, passwords, vessel call sign and more. A desktop version of STAR, which includes weath- er overlay, will be available in the Q4 2003.

Circle 188 on Reader Service Card

PGS Geophysical Renews

With Telenor

Norway's PGS Geophysical renewed its global satellite communications agreement with Telenor through June 2005. The current agreement calls for

Telenor to continue to provide its fully managed Sealink service to a PGS

Geophysical fleet of 14 high-tech 3-D seismic vessels operating around the world. PGS Geophysical acquires. processes, markets, and sells high quali- ty seismic data worldwide. Oil and gas companies use this data to explore for and develop new hydrocarbon fields, and to manage fields in production.

The Sealink system provides corporate voice and high-speed data communica- tions, at speeds up to two Megabits per second, essentially extending PGS's cor- porate network to all of its vessels. All vessels are connected to a PBX network providing on-board offices with imme- diate direct dial access. The Sealink solution is an essential business tool enabling PGS Geophysical to rapidly and efficiently gather, process, and dis- seminate research information to its cus- tomers. Sealink recently inaugurated the

SatCom Report

Sealink Prepaid Calling Program.

Prepaid scratch cards are available to companies for resale to crewmembers, clients, and passengers. The prepaid cards can also be easily recharged through the Internet.

Telenor Upgrades Global C Network

Telenor Satellite Services upgraded its www.nera.no

Circle 247 on Reader Service Card

Nera F77 sets new standards for communications at sea

NERA SatCom

P.O. Box 91,1375 Billingstad, Oslo, Norway

Tel: +47 67 24 47 00 Fax: +47 67 24 46 21 e-mail: webmaster®nera.no enabling a wireless future -9

Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) • keeps you permanently connected to the internet • you only pay for the data transmitted and received, not for the time online

Guaranteed safety • pre-emption - prioritisation for emergency services

Unrivalled global support • long tradition within maritime satellite communication • world wide certified installation and service network 64 kbps ISDN capability • transmit data at 64 kbps • send faxes at high speed • two types of voice service Mast mounted version

Nera F77

Continuing the Saturn tradition

Below deck unit

September 2003 43