U.K. Shipping Company Begins Fleet-wide Iridium OpenPort Deployment

[Satellite TODAY 09-14-10] U.K. Maritime enterprise Norbulk Shipping is deploying Iridium Communications’ OpenPort high-speed satellite communication system for its fleet of more than 70 ships, Iridium announced Sept. 13.
    The Iridium OpenPort equipment and service will be provided by AND Group, which also will design and install a web-based tool to control e-mail, data and voice communications.
    In a statement, AND Group CEO Ian Robinson said the system aims to cut communication costs for the fleet operator, whose global ship-owner clients include public listed companies; private family controlled shipping interests and government shipping enterprises. “The system provides reliable, global, high-bandwidth satellite connections at a fraction of the cost of other high-speed mobile satellite systems … Since introducing the product in 2008, we have delivered and activated more than 2,300 terminals."