Polar Star Cruise Ship Installs Iridium E-Mail Service

CONSTELLATIONS

Bethesda MD (SPX) Nov 21, 2005
Iridium is providing satellite data links for a cost-effective e-mail solution for passengers and crew of M/V Polar Star, an expedition cruise ship that specializes in excursions from Antarctica to the Arctic.

The satellite e-mail service was developed and installed on M/V Polar Star by Global Marine Networks, an Iridium value-added developer.

"Iridium's constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting satellites makes it possible for M/V Polar Star's passengers and crew to communicate in Polar Regions where, previously, they haven't had access," said Don Thoma, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite.

Global Marine Networks' XGate wireless e-mail gateway makes it easy and inexpensive for passengers to send and receive e-mail during the voyage. Prior to the Iridium solution, M/V Polar Star passengers had to handwrite or save to floppy disks messages slated for e-mail and deliver them to the purser, who then re-typed and transmitted the notes. For passengers to receive e-mail, the crew had to print and hand-deliver the messages.

Now, the M/V Polar Star purser creates accounts and assigns e-mail addresses for passengers who want to have e-mail access during the voyage. They can use a computer, running Web mail, located in one of several locations on the ship to receive and read their messages in privacy.

The M/V Polar Star crew also benefits from the new Iridium satellite-based e-mail system. Crewmembers can use the service to send invoices and notices directly to their passengers. The e-mail gets delivered locally without consuming satellite airtime.

"The XGate software uses selective compression techniques to optimize e-mail transfers," said Dr. Luis Soltero, president of Global Marine Networks. "On average, Xgate is about 10 to 15 times faster than other satellite e-mail systems when it comes to delivering e-mail."

"Global Marine Networks' Iridium e-mail solution is much more convenient for everyone involved. It is easy to use, cost effective and innovative, while ensuring privacy for those who use it," said Thoma.

CONSTELLATIONS

Iridium Subscriber Base Up 22% To 137,500

Bethesda MD (SPX) Nov 17, 2005
Iridium Satellite Wednesday said that it has approximately 137,500 subscribers as of September 30, 2005. The new total represents a 22% increase over the total number of subscribers at the end of the third quarter last year. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was up 24% over the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

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