UK-based AND Group, a leading provider of telecom services to the marine sector, has been appointed as a distribution partner for a broadband data and voice service offered by Inmarsat, a global satellite network operator.

Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband is the first maritime communications service to provide cost-effective broadband data and voice, simultaneously, through a compact antenna on a global basis, a statement said.

AND Group can now distribute the full range of FleetBroadband services: from FB150 for smaller vessels needing voice communications and lower data speeds, through to FB500 for large merchant fleets needing high-speed data, value-added services and a full managed service provision.

The company has also been appointed as a distribution partner for Inmarsat’s global satellite phone services, which include FleetPhone for the marine environment and the global handheld satellite phone IsatPhone Pro.

“We are delighted to welcome AND Group as a FleetBroadband distributor,” said Perry Melton, chief operating officer of Inmarsat.

“AND Group has built a solid maritime business and a strong reputation for knowing what maritime customers need. We are excited about the potential for AND Group to tap into two key areas of growth for FleetBroadband: migrating their customers who are inadequately served by their current satellite communications services, and securing new customers and exploring new parts of the market.”

Ian Robinson, CEO of AND Group, said, “We have achieved some significant customer wins with FleetBroadband, across the whole family of services.”

“This is good news for us and our customers.  Being appointed as an Inmarsat distribution partner will enable AND Group to build on our success, offer our customers better services and long-term value, and grow our business. We already have offices in the UK, Greece, Singapore and Brazil and will be looking to extend our network to offer the services on a global basis,” he added.

With the appointment of AND Group there are now 14 FleetBroadband distributors, which sell both direct and through a network of service providers, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service