Thaicom partners Russian operator for maritime satellite broadband connectivity service
Thaicom Plc (THCOM), Thailand’s first satellite operator, signed an Agreement of Intention today with Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) on the joint development of a service for maritime satellite broadband connectivity.
Under the agreement , Thaicom and RSCC will initially study roaming options on their proprietary maritime VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) networks.
Roaming on Thaicom’s network will be provided by Nava Roaming Solutions. Nava is Thaicom’s new maritime broadband service platform, addressing the need of ship and offshore operators for fast, reliable, and secure satellite-enabled broadband connectivity and managed services.
RSCC's 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.
Patompob Suwansiri, Thaicom's Chief Commercial Officer, said the agreement marks 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 the service level agreed.
"Customers will benefit from full high speed broadband coverage of maritime vessel routes between Europe and Asia-Pacific,” Patompob said.
Ksenia Drozdova, deputy director general of Russian Satellite Communications Company, said: “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 increasing demand of broadband connectivity at sea for improved ship operations and crew welfare in Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Russian Far East.”
Nava is Thaicom’s maritime broadband service platform for ship and offshore operators—available from Thaicom as a single, end-to-end communications solutions provider.
With Nava, Thaicom brings reliable broadband connectivity to the sea which is essential to connect crew and passengers, improve safety on board and support efficient vessel operations.
