SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES has announced MTN Satellite Services has signed a multi-year capacity agreement to meet growing demand for connectivity and content aboard cruise liners, military ships, yachts and other vessels operating throughout the Indian Ocean region.

MTN is a SeaMobile company and a leading provider of satellite communications services to the maritime industry and remote locations around the world.

MTN Satellite Services has enlisted nearly a transponder-and-a-half of satellite capacity aboard SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES' NSS-12 spacecraft, slated for launch this fall, to deliver broadband, mobile phone, television, and other services to seagoing vessels and offshore platforms in the Indian Ocean.

The escalating maritime business on the SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES satellite fleet is reflective of a new Frost and Sullivan report, which estimates the current satellite-delivered maritime communications services market of $9.2 billion will reach $27.36 billion in 2013.

Driving forces for the growth include "Internet savvy seafarers" who expect connectivity anywhere and ship owners' efforts to "retain skilled crew and manage costs in a highly competitive market," according to the Frost and Sullivan analysis.

The deal is the latest milestone in a long-term relationship that leverages the global reach and reliability of SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES' satellite fleet and the vast deployment of MTN's VSAT equipment and systems on more than 500 vessels worldwide.

"The Indian Ocean region represents a real growth opportunity for our MTN VSAT network business - both on land and at sea," explained Richard Hadsall, Chief Technology Officer for MTN Satellite Services, noting MTN also offers fixed and mobile, land-based VSAT systems.

"SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES offers the satellite capacity and coverage that MTN needs to seamlessly serve our customers in the Indian Ocean region and virtually anywhere around the world."

"NSS-12 will soon be one of the most powerful satellites in space, where it will meet high demand for connectivity over Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean region," said Andrew Ruszkowski, Vice President of Enterprise Services for SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES.

"The new spacecraft will support a broad range of mission critical applications, including the vital ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship communications and connectivity at the core of MTN's VSAT business and the maritime solutions SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES delivers worldwide."