[Satellite TODAY 12-08-09] Iridium Communications has activated its 1,000th Iridium OpenPort marine satellite terminal, the company announced Dec. 7.
    The company reached the milestone with the activation of an OpenPort system onboard the Belgian Euronav tanker MV Fraternity. Iridium’s service provider AND Group installed and commissioned the unit, which utilizes AND’s IPSignature communication management software for voice and data calls. It is the 13th Euronav vessel to be fitted with Iridium OpenPort, with plans to install Iridium satcom terminals on 20 more ships.
    “We chose Iridium OpenPort because of its flexible, multi-line capabilities for voice and data and its low capital acquisition and monthly usage costs when compared to other maritime satellite systems,” Victor Kaidatzis, information technology manager for Euronav, said in a statement.