AT&T Wireless [AWE] and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) plan to give cruise- ship passengers the convenience of using their wireless phones while at sea. The companies are working with several cruise lines to introduce the service later this year.

Redmond, Wash.-based AT&T Wireless and Miramar, Fla.-based MTN formed a joint venture called Wireless Maritime Services to develop and launch an innovative service that would use a combination of satellite and wireless technology to provide the cruise line industry and its passengers with on-board communications. The joint venture would combine MTN’s expertise in providing satellite services to the cruise industry with the capabilities of AT&T Wireless to deliver wireless services to people on the road. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The joint venture with AT&T Wireless will deliver “truly global mobile service” to ships in international waters, said David Kagan, MTN’s CEO.

For in-depth coverage of this story, see the March 22 issue of Satellite News. For more information about subscribing to PBI Media’s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at https://www.satellitetoday.com.