Inmarsat has announced that the FleetBroadband Multi-voice service, a
new capability that will allow up to nine simultaneous telephone calls
to be made through a single FleetBroadband terminal, is now available.
There are two levels of FleetBroadband Multi-voice available: Standard,
which supports up to four simultaneous calls from a FleetBroadband 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,”
said Frank Coles, president, Inmarsat Maritime.
“It offers a far superior service to internet calling solutions, and is
more cost-effective than accessing multiple voice calls on a standard
VSAT.”
“This new capability increases the value of FleetBroadband, and ensures
that the service is future-proofed for a vessel’s growing communications
needs.”
Thrane & Thrane has already announced that the Multi-voice service
will be available across its entire SAILOR FleetBroadband portfolio as
standard, and is accessible on existing terminals with a software
update.
SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband will offer the full nine simultaneous voice
lines available through Multi-voice, while a SAILOR 250 FleetBroadband
will offer up to six concurrent calls and a SAILOR 150 FleetBroadband up
to four concurrent calls.
Once existing SAILOR users have the software update in place, all that
is required is to configure their FleetBroadband terminal via the
web-interface and attach the required number of handsets, or if desired
connect an existing PBX.
Thrane is offering its own model of handset for use with the service, though third party equipment can also be used.
With the Thrane handsets a dedicated BGAN menu is available via the
integrated screen, where value-added supplementary voice services, such
as a phone book and call forwarding, can be operated from the handset
itself.
“With multiple handsets integrated to a single terminal, facility for
dedicated voice lines can be made anywhere on board, from the engine
room or canteen on a merchant vessel and the public areas on a passenger
vessel, to the saloon and staterooms aboard a luxury vessel,” said
Casper Jensen, VP maritime business unit, Thrane & Thrane.
“Additionally, we have ensured that the SAILOR 3771 Alarm Panel
FleetBroadband works alongside the Multi-voice service, ensuring that
distress alarms can be sent, regardless of how many voice lines are
being used.”
“Multi-voice will enable operators to offer even better crew and
passenger welfare services, by increasing the number of telephone lines
available on board. The design of SAILOR FleetBroadband allows
Multi-voice functionality to be introduced without the need for
engineers or hardware changes to the BDU, making it extremely
straightforward to add extra voice lines.”
For FleetBroadband terminals other than the SAILOR range, Vocality has
developed new PBX hardware that can be used alongside the terminal to
access the additional telephone lines.
The extra phone lines will be charged by Inmarsat at the same per-minute
tariff for both pre-paid and post-paid calls. The lines will also all
support the free-of-charge ‘505’ FleetBroadband emergency calling
capability that connects a vessel immediately to a Maritime Rescue
Centre.
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