Vizada Expands Pharostar Maritime VSAT Offering
By Jeffrey Hill | June 25, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 06-25-12] Astrium subsidiary Vizada is launching a new addition to its Pharostar maritime VSAT portfolio that has been developed for easier installation and accessibility to a wider range of vessels including medium-size transportation, fishing and leisure boats, Vizada announced June 22.
Vizada’s new Pharostar service plans include data allowances to compliment traditional throughput-based VSAT offering. The packages start from 5 GBs for an airtime cost of $1,000 with top-up options. Vizada also added 60-centimeter and 80-centimeter compact Ku-band antennas to the portfolio’s existing 1-meter antenna choices that can be delivered pre-assembled for simpler and faster installation time on board.
The newly designed service can be combined with a mobile satellite service (MSS) backup for full global coverage.
Vizada Spokesman Ghani Behloul said Pharostar’s coverage area is planned for two extensions this year, giving further reach to vessels operating in the South Atlantic and Indian oceans. “These additions are the latest components in our strategy to offer the largest choice to the maritime community and to develop the most comprehensive maritime broadband solutions portfolio in the market.”