Inmarsat, a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has launched a new service that will allow up to 9 simultaneous telephone calls to be made through a single FleetBroadband terminal.

The new capability, FleetBroadband Multi-voice, is targeted at any vessel with the need to manage separate voice calls – particularly the merchant maritime market, but also other vessels that havesimilar crew or passenger communications requirements, such as superyachts or deep-sea fishing vessels.

The enhancement to FleetBroadband (FB) will enable vessel owners and managers to separate crew communications from operational use. It will also provide crew with more privacy, making it easier to make personal low-cost calls away from the bridge.

Uniquely, FleetBroadband Multi-voice is integrated into Inmarsat’s core network and terminated into public telephone networks, ensuring a high-quality voice service, said a statement from Inmarsat.

There are two levels of FleetBroadband Multi-voice - Standard (supporting up to four simultaneous calls from a FB 150, 250 or 500) and  Enhanced (which supports up to nine simultaneous calls on an FB250 or FB500).

“FleetBroadband Multi-voice is a unique integrated solution that maintains Inmarsat’s well-earned reputation for high-quality voice,” explained Frank Coles, the president of InmarsatMaritime.

“It offers a far superior service to internet calling solutions, and is more cost-effective than accessing multiple voice calls on a standardVSAT,' he noted.

According to him, the FB users have two ways to access the multiple voice calling capability.

The users of Thrane & Thrane Sailor FB terminals can create a fully-integrated solution with just a firmware upgrade and additional handsets, while for others, Vocality has developed new PBX hardware that can be used alongside the terminal to access the additional telephone lines.

“This new capability increases the value of FleetBroadband, and ensures that the service is future-proofed for a vessel’s growing communications needs,” Coles added.

The new service can be accessed on existing FB equipment, and with the same per-minute tariff for both pre-paid and post-paid calls. It also supports the “505” emergency calling capability that connects a vessel immediately to a Maritime Rescue Centre.-TradeArabia News Service