SeaMobile Delivers Wireless Services to Geolink's Maritime Customers
Company contracts with Wireless Solutions International to provide GSM association compliant maritime roaming in Europe
Paris, France, Seattle, WA. and Boca Raton, FL. (February 6, 2007) – SeaMobile, Inc., the dominant provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services, today announced that it has successfully launched its proprietary wireless technology for customers of Geolink’s OceanCell service. Geolink is a pioneer and leading provider of satellite-based broadband communications and networking services with extensive experience serving the European market. In addition, the company formally announced its multi-year contract with Wireless Solutions International, Inc. (WSI) to provide roaming services to Geolink customers in Europe using the WSI OmniRoamer Sponsored Roaming Service. In December 2006, SeaMobile announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Geolink. In less than one month, the transition to the SeaMobile technology platform has been nearly completed. The SeaMobile technology is a sophisticated IP/software based solution that allows any type of phone used by the wireless customer to access the SeaMobile network at sea. "By using the SeaMobile technology platform, Geolink OceanCell customers are accessing a state-of-the-art GSM cellular switch located at SeaMobile’s teleport," said Jim Ellis, SeaMobile chief technology officer. "SeaMobile owns the switch, enabling us to better control the quality of service and enhance wireless voice and data service features for Geolink’s more than 50 cruise and ferry vessels." WSI's OmniRoamer provides extensions to a terrestrial wireless network, in this case European operator Manx Telecom, a Telefónica O2 Europe company. OmniRoamer enables subscribers of Manx Telecom’s roaming partners to utilize services provided aboard an increasing number of cruise ships, ferries and yachts around the world, including those served by Geolink Oceancell. The combination of Geolink's satellite services, SeaMobile-equipped vessels, and WSI OmniRoamer maritime roaming service allows virtually anyone aboard a vessel at sea to use voice and data services available through their wireless home carrier, just as they would on land. Charges for calls and data services while at sea simply appear on the wireless customer’s bill from their home carrier. "There has been significant growth in at-sea communications services recently and this has created an increased focus on maritime roaming by industry bodies such as the GSM Association," said Pierre Macquet, chief executive officer of Geolink. "It was imperative that we develop our service to be fully compliant with industry guidelines. SeaMobile, WSI and Manx Telecom have worked together to ensure that this was the case to satisfy the requirements of Geolink’s OceanCell customers." Trials on board a number of ships were held in order to prove that the maritime coverage followed the binding requirements laid down by the GSM Association. For example, the service must turn off when the vessel reaches coastal waters so as not to interfere with terrestrial networks. Similarly, operators who wish to allow their subscribers to roam on board suitably equipped vessels must actively sign up for the service and receive separate billing notifications. "We have worked hard with WSI over the last twelve months to bring on board a very large number of worldwide roaming agreements, and are continuing to increase our coverage," added Ellis. "It is important that as the dominant player in maritime communication services, we offer as many guests as possible the opportunity to benefit from these services." "SeaMobile is a very prestigious client for WSI and is rapidly expanding the number of ships on which it offers maritime roaming," said Martin Guilfoyle, WSI chief technology officer and founder. "SeaMobile's relationship with Geolink dramatically increases the roaming coverage for international passengers and crew on board numerous vessels, and we have been pleased to continue to work with SeaMobile on this phase of its growth. For WSI, these are the first steps on the path towards a true, maritime roaming hub." Guilfoyle continued, "We are seeing a large demand for solutions such as OmniRoamer, designed to meet the requirements of the GSM Association's initiatives, which provide enhanced coverage and increased roaming revenues, yet are easy and economical to implement. OmniRoamer is just one of the many ways that WSI is contributing to the work of the various roaming programs currently underway within the GSM Association. WSI is proud to be part of the Association, supporting industry initiatives by delivering solutions in these key areas." About SeaMobile Enterprises SeaMobile Enterprises is the dominant global service provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services. Our global VSAT satellite communications network is delivered by the industry leader, Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a SeaMobile company. Combined with our superior technology and customer support, we provide always-on connectivity to deliver a vast array of services for businesses, government entities and consumers. Services include mobile phone voice and data, wireless for PDAs and laptops, access to printed versions of more than 350 daily newspapers, live television, internet cafes and much more. SeaMobile Enterprises offers solutions for cruise lines, ferries, yachts, container ships, offshore platforms and the government and military. The company has offices in Seattle, WA; Miramar, FL; London, England; Paris, France; Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece. For more information, please visit www.seamobile.com and www.mtnsat.com. About Geolink For 15 years, Geolink has been a pioneer in providing reliable, continuous and secure telecommunication services, as well as value added services required by individuals or organizations, where traditional telecommunication infrastructures are unusable or non-existent, or can simply not be economically envisaged. Geolink offers fixed and mobile voice satellite telecommunications solutions, maritime and land-based broadband data satellite services and on-board maritime GSM services. Visit www.geolink.com for more information. About Wireless Solutions International Wireless Solutions International (WSI) is a renowned provider of strategic, wireless consulting services and innovative, managed roaming solutions. These services enable operators to capitalize on the latest advances in technology and to profit successfully from the ever "shrinking" wireless world. WSI's experienced team members are recognized as pioneers in the wireless industry. Over the years, these skilled professionals have completed high quality assignments in telecommunications, technology and product development for wireless operators and vendors, and have provided management consultancy to address emerging and existing business issues. WSI's core competency lies in roaming, with a full range of solutions from turnkey service bureau offerings to IREG and TADIG testing. WSI's OmniRoamer Sponsored Roaming solution provides terrestrial and non-terrestrial operators with quick and cost effective access to roaming coverage in numerous, international markets - all through one simple roaming agreement - and allows subscribers from these markets to roam in the operators’ networks. Globally, many wireless operators rely on WSI’s solutions to provide service to their subscribers, and WSI has provided insight and solutions to customers and the industry through forums including GSMNA, RCA, CDG, TADIG, BARG, CANTO and IETF. WSI is an associate member of both RCA and the GSM Association.For more information please visit www.wsi-americas.com. About Manx Telecom Manx Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica O2 Europe, is the Isle of Man’s telecommunications provider, offering world class fixed line and mobile telephony services, closely integrated with the UK telephone number range. Manx Telecom’s ISP, Manxnet, offers a full range of Internet services and a portfolio of quality hosting products and services at their recently completed, purpose-built hosting centre. Manx Telecom has earned a reputation for being at the leading edge of telecommunications development. The company has invested more than £50 million over the last five years in the Island’s telecommunications infrastructure and is committed to a further £30 million investment over the next three years. Manx Telecom was one of the first companies in the world to offer broadband ADSL services to its customers and, in December 2001, became the first telecommunications operator in Europe to launch a live 3G network. In November 2005, the company became the first in Europe to offer its customers an HSDPA (3.5G) service. "SafeHarbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of the matters and subject areas discussed in this press release that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments, including our future expectations concerning the operations of SeaMobile and MTN. The discussion of such matters and subject areas is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally and also may materially differ from SeaMobile’s and MTN’s actual future experience involving any one or more of such matters and subject areas. SeaMobile and MTN have attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors that they currently believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ from SeaMobile’s and MTN’s current expectations regarding the relevant matter or subject area. This press release speaks only as of its date, and SeaMobile and MTN disclaim any duty to update the information herein. |








