Blue Ocean Wireless announces Global Roaming Service
Dublin, Ireland, June 4, 2008: Blue Ocean Wireless (”BOW”), an Irish company delivering
GSM communication capability for the merchant maritime sector, announced its upcoming
global roaming service.
With this new facility, subscribers to other networks will be able to roam on all Blue Ocean
Wireless equipped vessels using their existing handset and SIM card. The roaming capability
will work in the same way as traditional land based GSM roaming and requires no special
equipment or preparation on the part of the user.
The global roaming feature will be made possible by network upgrades that Smart
Communications, Inc. (SMART) have recently undertaken. The Blue Ocean Wireless network
has been upgraded with a new GSM switch and a full Global Lease Line, providing enhanced
connectivity as well as allowing for additional features such as global roaming.
Robert Johnson, BOW CEO commented, “We are delighted to announce the network
upgrades and our impending global roaming service. This enhancement to the Blue Ocean
Wireless solution represents another major step towards achieving a fully comprehensive
communications solution for those that work at sea. The remarkable speed with which
BOW’s rollout has progressed has allowed BOW to diversify and enhance the BOW GSM
service with the ultimate goal of improving on-board conditions for seafarers.
Ramon S. Fernandez, PLDT and SMART head for International Carrier and Business Division,
said, “partnering with BOW is part of SMART’s thrust to provide affordable and extensive
communications services to 1.2 million seafarers, of whom 40 percent are Filipinos. Through
the global roaming service, they can use their own mobile phones to send and receive text
messages and calls even while in deep ocean waters.”
About Blue Ocean Wireless
Blue Ocean Wireless is an Irish company focused on expanding communication capability in the merchant maritime
sector. Blue Ocean Wireless provides, for the first time, GSM connectivity for seafarers in deep ocean water, where
no other network exists. This allows users to make and receive voice calls, send and receive SMS text messages
and, in time, browse the internet using their existing handsets. This technology can also be used, in conjunction with
RFID technology, to track and monitor shipping containers while they are in transit at sea. Blue Ocean Wireless
works in partnership with communications industry leaders including, Altobridge, JRC, Seacom, Smart and Stratos to
provide the best products to its customers. For more information, please visit www.blueoceanwireless.com
About Smart Communications
Smart Communications, Inc. is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider with 31.6 million subscribers on its
GSM network as of end-March 2008. Of its total subscriber base, 20.6 million subscribers are served under the
brands Smart Buddy, Smart Gold and Smart Infinity and another 11 million subscribers are served through its
subsidiary, Pilipino Telephone Corp., under the brand Talk 'N Text. SMART has built a reputation for innovation,
having introduced world-first wireless data services, including mobile commerce services such as Smart Money,
Smart Load and Smart Padala. SMART also offers a 3G service, Smart 3G. Its Smart Link and Blue Ocean Wireless
services provide communications to the global maritime industry. Another subsidiary, Smart Broadband, Inc., offers a
wireless broadband service, Smart BRO. SMART is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Philippines' leading
telecommunications carrier, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. For more information, please visit
www.smart.com.ph
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