SeaMobile Extends Cruise Liner Cellphone Service

SeaMobile says that it has signed an agreement with Crystal Cruises to install cellphone communications equipment on board two luxury Crystal Cruises ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, later this year. The SeaMobile communications service will allow guests and staff of Crystal Cruises to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea. Charges for calls and data services will then appear on the user's wireless bill from their home carrier.

"Our guests continue to choose Crystal because they expect first-class service, abundant space, exceptional quality and extensive choices," said Thomas Mazloum, Crystal Cruises' senior vice president, hotel operations. "With that consistent attention to detail in mind, we have chosen the best at-sea communications provider to add onboard wireless service."

The agreement with Crystal Cruises marks the first cruise line contract to be signed since SeaMobile's acquisition of Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a provider of satellite-based broadband communications and networking services for the maritime industry.

"We see the announcement of our relationship with Crystal as being the first of many significant milestones for SeaMobile Enterprises," said Bill Marks, chief executive officer of SeaMobile Enterprises. "When we announced the combination of SeaMobile and MTN several months ago we suggested that it was a new day at sea. Without reservation, we believe that the best is ahead for cruise travelers who will use our communications services to get away to exciting destinations while maintaining a window into the world they left behind."

SeaMobile's proprietary technology is a sophisticated IP/software-based solution that works with any type of wireless phone (GSM, GPRS or CDMA) used by the customer when accessing the SeaMobile network. This allows virtually anyone aboard any vessel at sea to use voice and data services available through their wireless home carrier, just as they would on land. Worldwide roaming agreements established by SeaMobile provide transparent connectivity for wireless services and billing is provided by the home carrier."

Posted to the site on 13th July 2006