Vizada to Offer Iridium OpenPortSM Service Worldwide

04.06.2008

Vizada has entered into an agreement to become a global distribution partner for the Iridium OpenPortSM service . Vizada will combine the Iridium OpenPort service with the Vizada Solutions™ portfolio, providing one of the most comprehensive communications solutions available to the maritime community.

With an always-on, standard Ethernet connection and three voice lines that can be used simultaneously, Iridium OpenPort will deliver reliable, cost-effective data & voice communications for shipping and fishing fleets around the globe.

Vizada will offer a number of service packages that bundle data usage and voice minutes for one low monthly fee with larger-volume voice and data packages offering progressive per-unit discounts. Service packages will be available at speeds of 9.6 kbps, 32 kbps, 64 kbps and 128 kbps.

Iridium OpenPort will be a versatile, cost-effective communications solution, powered by Vizada Solutions™. These are leading edge technologies that extend the capabilities of satellite in the areas of IP networking, messaging, business tools, prepaid solutions, fixed2mobile services and secure communication solutions.

Vizada’s Universal Card™, for example, leverages Iridium OpenPort’s three simultaneous phone lines and IP data connection to provide a prepaid voice and email solution for private crew communications. This, and all other Vizada Solutions™, will be available on the Iridium OpenPort service after its planned commercial service launch in the third quarter.

Maritime customers also benefit from Vizada’s 24/7 customer care support and training programs tailored for maritime management and crew. Through the Iridium OpenPort package, Vizada meets the varying needs of the maritime community, including the shipping, fishing, workboat, research and crew calling sectors.

Peter Döhle Schiffarts-KG, one of the world’s largest chartering agents and owners with a fleet of approximately 350 container ships and bulk cargo freighters, will beta-test the service with Vizada in anticipation of the commercial launch: “The global coverage provided by the Iridium constellation, as well as the low price of airtime and terminals, make Iridium OpenPort a very attractive proposition for owners of large fleets of vessels,” said Michael Dittmer, IT & Communication Coordinator Fleet, Peter Döhle Schiffarts-KG. “With this in mind, we are particularly interested in equipping vessels with a minimum of one Iridium OpenPort terminal in order to provide essential redundancy for our IT & communications systems."

Vizada