Thailand’s first satellite operator, Thaicom, has signed an agreement of intention with the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) to collaborate on the joint development of a service offering for maritime satellite broadband connectivity, Telecompaper reports.
According to the agreement, Thaicom and RSCC will initially study roaming options on their proprietary maritime VSAT networks. Roaming on Thaicom’s network will be provided by Nava Roaming Solutions, Thaicom’s new maritime broadband service platform.
The company said it will address the need of ship and offshore operators for fast, reliable, and secure satellite-enabled broadband connectivity and managed services. RSCC maritime VSAT network is the largest satellite broadband network in Russia connecting more than 300 maritime vessels operating in the waters surrounding Russia and Europe.
“We intend the agreement to mark the beginning of a successful, long-term partnership between Thaicom and RSCC and the development of joint communication solutions connecting Russia with Asia-Pacific. This collaboration will leverage the capabilities of Thai and Russian marine VSAT networks. The Nava roaming solutions enabled satellite network will provide seamless switching of onboard equipment from one satellite network to the other without degradation of service level agreements provided. Customers will benefit from full high-speed broadband coverage of maritime vessel routes between Europe and Asia-Pacific,” said Thaicom’s Chief Commercial Officer Patompob Suwansiri.
“We are pleased to partner with Thaicom in order to expand our satellite reach and jointly offer reliable and secure maritime satellite broadband connectivity. We intend to use our combined vast technical knowledge and business know-how to address the worldwide increasing demand of broadband connectivity at sea for improved ship operations and crew welfare in Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Russian Far East,” Ksenia Drozdova, Deputy Director General at RSCC, added.
