Smart to offer first satellite phone service for seafarers

MANILA, Philippines - As the pioneer in maritime satellite communications, leading wireless services provider Smart Communications is set to embark on another first by bringing full mobile phone connectivity at sea.

Through its satellite phone service Smart Link, the country’s first and only service of its kind, Smart will soon enable Filipino seafarers, who comprise majority of the global maritime workforce, to use GSM mobile phones to make calls and send text messages, even while on board ships sailing in the middle of the oceans.

“We are very proud to be the only wireless communications service provider in the country with the power, capability and experience to fully serve the needs of the maritime industry,” Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea said.

He explained that with Smart Link’s GSM service, they hope to provide not only Filipino maritime professionals, but also those from other countries, seamless GSM communications, from land to sea.

The Smart Link GSM service will use the THISS 60cm C-Band Marine satellite VSAT system which won the Outstanding Maritime R&D and Technology Award in this year’s Singapore International Maritime Awards. Developed by THISS Technologies Pte Ltd in conjunction with their industry partners, this satellite terminal, the most compact in its category, will allow Smart Link to deliver mobile phone services at affordable rates to seafarers on board marine vessels.

Smart’s partnership with THISS Technologies will grant Smart the exclusive rights to use the specially developed system in the maritime market for GSM services.

“A lot of research and hard work were put into this project in order to give our seafarers the affordable and reliable communication experience they got from the existing Smart Link satellite terminals,” Smart global access group head Tina Mariano said. The group handles the satellite phone service.

“With our years of experience in the maritime field and proven service to the seafarers, we, together with THISS Technologies have developed this new innovation particularly designed for the seafaring industry’s unique and challenging needs,” she added.

Smart Link revolutionized the satellite phone business when it offered a prepaid, shared terminal scheme, lowering subscription, maintenance and call costs for its seafaring subscribers.

“Years ago, we made it possible for seafarers to gain easy and affordable access to satellite communications, something that’s perceived to be very costly. Now, we’re empowering seafarers to do even more by letting them use regular GSM phones as if they never left land, at affordable rates,” Mariano pointed out.

Smart Link, with its current shared satellite terminals on-board vessels, currently serves seafarers sailing the seas of Asia-Pacific, Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa plus some parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. With the launch of Smart Link GSM service, Smart will be able to provide communication to the entire maritime force around the globe.